Atwood, Stella M.

Person

Staff Only

Biography

Stella M. Atwood (died 1939) was an activist for Indian rights.

Stella Atwood grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she helped her father study Native American religion and society from a young age. Atwood married and lived in Riverside, California for much of her life, where she organized the area’s first Parent Teachers Association (PTA). In 1917, she established the founded and chaired an Indian welfare committee in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), Southern California. Stella was the chair of the GFWC’s national committee on Indian welfare form 1921-1928. She formed a partnership with John Collier, with whom she campaigned against Indian mistreatment and religious freedom for several years. In 1928 she was appointed Legislative Advisor to the American Indian Defense Association. In 1937, the Blackfeet inducted her into their tribe and gave her the name “Guiding Star.” Stella died May 25, 1939.

Citation:

BYU Family History Library Newspapers, via WWW, October 27, 2020 (Stella M. Atwood)

An Unexpected Alliance: Stella Atwood, the California Clubwomen, John Collier, and the Indians of the Southwest, 1917-1934, 2009: p. 353-366 (Grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and studied Indians with father in childhood; she was married; she lived in Riverside, CA, where she formed the first Riverside PTA and founded and chaired an Indian welfare committee for the GFWC; Stella chaired the national GFWC’s Indian committee from 1921-1928; formed partnership with John Collier; became Legislative Advisor to the American Indian Defense Association in 1928; inducted into Blackfeet and was named “Guiding Star” in 1927; d. May 25, 1939)

Found in 30 Collections and/or Records:

Undated correspondences and related documents

Sub-Series

Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 2 Sub-Series 11

Scope and Contents

The correspondences and other documents in this box are not explicitly dated but have been grouped into some general categories.

Dates: 1906-1938

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal and business correspondence

United States government documents (with related documents)

Series

Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 3

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Contains correspondence, personal history, and business papers of both Zitkala-S̈a and her husband, Raymond Bonnin, with the bulk focusing on Gertrude's activities. Zitkala-S̈a was a central figure in early twentieth century Indian reform, and this collection reflects her intensive involvement. She was instrumental in legislation favorable to Indians and spent a great deal of her time among the Native Americans in an attempt to educate and organize them for greater strength through unity....

Dates: 1906-1938

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records

Zitkala-S̈a biographical information, 1917-1986

Sub-Series

Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 1

Scope and Contents

Biographical information on Zitkala-S̈a, including lists of life activities, chronologies, biographical essays and outlines, and accompanying letters or notes. Dated 1917-1986.

Dates: 1917-1986

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

Zitkala-S̈a collection on The Sun dance opera, 1913-1938

Sub-Series

Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 5

Scope and Contents

Contains a typescript copy of "The Sun Dance Opera," written by William Hansen in collaboration with Zitkala-S̈a. Includes promotional materials for the performance of the opera and a copyright document. Dated 1913-1938.

Dates: 1913-1938