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Three interrelated themes dominate Muriel Wright’s correspondence in her papers at the Oklahoma Historical Society: her family ties, especially her father’s Choctaw lineage; her work in and promotion of Indian history, especially the Five Civilized Tribes; and her participation in Indian affairs, especially those of the Choctaw Nation. The long-term interaction among those themes was mutually reinforcing. Her commitment to the Wright family’s…

Three interrelated themes dominate Muriel Wright’s correspondence in her papers at the Oklahoma Historical Society: her family ties, especially her father’s Choctaw lineage; her work in and promotion of Indian history, especially the Five Civilized Tribes; and her participation in Indian affairs, especially those of the Choctaw Nation. The long-term interaction among those themes was mutually reinforcing. Her commitment to the Wright family’s Choctaw lineage sustained her commitment to the history of Indian people and to Indian affairs in Oklahoma, while her work as a historian and her involvement in Indian affairs invigorated her family ties. To facilitate research in her papers, we have divided them into twelve categories, identified by the following keywords: biography; family; biography and Indian history; Indian history; biography and Indian affairs; Indian affairs and Indian history; Indian affairs; and the following keywords related to her publications: Chronicles of Oklahoma; Spring Place; Guide to Indian Tribes in Oklahoma; Our Oklahoma. This letter is identified by the keywords: Biography, Indian History, Oklahoma Historical Society, Choctaw Nation, Constitution, Laws. Show more Show less

Handwritten notes compare Moapa ('The Old Woman's Grandson'), Serrano ('Morongo Clan Story'), and Diegueño myths. All include references to seeing babies' tracks. Diegueño source: Constance Goddard DuBois, Mythology of the Mission Indians (Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 19), p. 147. Undated.

Handwritten note on returning to a lodge cites Robert Lowie, 'Myths and Traditions of the Crow Indians' in 'Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History,' Vol. 25, p. 20, and Clark Wissler and D. C. Duvall, 'Mythology of the Blackfoot Indians' in 'Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History,' Vol. 2, p. 31. Also mentions Kutenai (no citation). Lowie citation includes reference to 'pouch warriors.' Undated.

These handwritten, undated research notes on an unlined note card, titled "Back in same hole," (with previous title, "Man and the Serpent," crossed out), contain information about a folk tale using this theme. A citation is given for "Notes on Mexican Folk-Lore," Franz Boas, Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 25, p. 209. This story is part of the Rabbit cycle. Also noted: Aesop.

This undated, hand-written note on the Zuni cites: Zuni Cushing 90 - descent from cliff of Cannibal Eagle. In contains information on: blind, cactus berries.

Handwritten notes on a Hopi myth about 'reciprocating hosts' cite H.R. Voth, 'Traditions of the Hopi' ('Field Columbian Museum Anthropological Series,' Vol. 8), p. 232: Hawk doesn't like Crow's cooked bull snake. When Crow visits, Hawk serves intestines and rabbit skins, which Crow eats. Notation: Compare explanatory tales. Undated.

Handwritten note cites

Bulu - George Schwab, 'Bulu Tales' in 'Journal of American Folklore,' Vol. 32, p. 436: A trick of Turtle's to get all the game (leaves gall in it).

Shoshone - Robert H. Lowie, 'The Northern Shoshone' in 'Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History,' Vol. 2, p. 244: Coyote given offal, prefers it.

Hopi [no citation given].

Undated.

Handwritten citation - 'Indeed the songs are very bad' - from Stephen Return Riggs, 'Dakota Grammar, Texts, and Ethnography' in 'Contributions to North American Ethnology,' Vol. 9, p. 113. Also mentions Navajo and Ute (no citations). Undated.

Handwritten Zuñi notes written on unlined sheets regarding Badger as Dr. The Lejune, Hopi, Ute, and Moapa tribes are mentioned.

Handwritten notes on the front and back of a lined note card titled "Badger brings back to life," re: American Indian folk tales which feature this plot element, and the tribes associated with each. Tribes noted include the Laguna [Western Keres], Hopi, Navajo, Moapa [Southern Paiute], Jicarilla, and Yuma [Quechan]. Includes citations. Undated.