Florence Connolly Shipek facts for kids

Florence C. Shipek (born December 11, 1918, died January 9, 2003) was an important American anthropologist and historian. She studied the history and cultures of Native American people, especially the California Indians in Southern California. She was also a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Early Life and Education

Florence McKeever Connolly was born in North Adams, Massachusetts on December 11, 1918. She started college at the College of Charleston when she was only 15 years old. Later, she earned her bachelor's degree (1938) and master's degree (1940) in anthropology from the University of Arizona.

While studying, she worked as a field assistant, helping with research in 1935 and again from 1939 to 1940. Her early work included writing about ancient rock carvings called petroglyphs and old pottery.

Helping Native American Communities

After World War II, Florence Shipek moved to San Diego. There, she volunteered at the San Diego Museum of Man. In 1954, she began working with local Native American tribes in San Diego. They were facing many problems because of a new law called Public Law 280, passed in 1953.

This law changed how the government supported Native American reservations. It meant that many services, like healthcare and police, were stopped. Florence Shipek spent a long time helping these tribes. She did a lot of research and even advised the United States Congress. Her work was unpaid, but it made a big difference.

Later Career and Studies

In 1970, Florence Shipek went to Hawaii. She earned her PhD in ethnohistory (the study of cultures using historical records) from the University of Hawaii in 1977. While there, she became friends with another anthropologist, Ann Dunham, who was the mother of Barack Obama.

From 1978 until she retired, Shipek was a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She taught students about human cultures and history.

Awards and Recognition

Florence Shipek received many honors for her important work.

• In 1987, she was the first person to hold the Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian History at the University of California-Riverside. This was a special teaching position.
• In 1992, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Historical Society of Southern California.
• In 2002, she received a "Lifetime Achievement" award from the San Diego Save Our Heritage Organization. This award recognized her dedication to Southern California tribes.

She was also an active member of the Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties for many years.

Important Research and Impact

Florence Shipek was known for her deep knowledge of Southern California Native Americans. She was often called an "expert witness" in court cases. She helped Native American groups win their cases, especially those related to land and water rights. People said she "never lost a case in court for the Indians" because her research was so thorough.

Her 1987 book, Pushed into the Rocks, shared important information. It helped with issues like who belonged to certain tribes and land claims. She also wrote The Autobiography of Delfina Cuero as Told to Florence Shipek. This book, first published in 1968 and expanded in 1991, became a key textbook. It helped people understand the difficult lives of Native Americans after Americans took over their lands.

Because of her careful research and her kind nature, Florence Shipek was highly respected by Native American people in Southern California. They saw her as a wise elder. After she passed away on January 9, 2003, the Kumeyaay Nation held a traditional all-night ceremony to honor her memory.