Frederick J. Dockstader facts for kids

Frederick J. Dockstader (born February 3, 1919 – died March 21, 1998) was an important Oneida-Navajo expert. He was an anthropologist and author. He focused on studying the amazing artwork of Indigenous American people.

Early Life and Education

Frederick Dockstader was born in Los Angeles, California. As he grew up, he spent time in two special places. These were the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Reservation.

He went to college and earned two degrees. He got his first degree and a master's degree from Arizona State College. Later, he earned his doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University. In 1951, he married Alice Warren, who was a geneticist.

Starting His Career

Dockstader began his career as a teacher. He taught sixth graders in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 1950, he joined the Cranbrook Institute of Science. There, he worked as an ethnologist. An ethnologist studies different cultures and peoples.

Two years later, he moved to Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth, he became the curator of anthropology. A curator helps take care of and organize museum collections.

Working at Museums and Teaching

In 1955, Frederick Dockstader started working at the Museum of the American Indian. He became the director of the museum in 1960. He also served as Chairman of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for a period.

Later, Dockstader became a professor at The New School. In 1991, he received a special honorary degree from Hartwick College. This degree recognized his important work.

His Books and Writings

While he was working at Dartmouth, Dockstader published his first book. It was called The Kachina and The White Man. This book was based on his college research. It looked at how the Hopi people carve kachina dolls. These wooden dolls have deep spiritual meaning. He also explored how European settlers influenced this art.

His second book, Indian Art in America: The Arts and Crafts of the North American Indian, came out in 1961. This book received good reviews. The Chicago Tribune said it showed growing interest in art from old societies. The Sacramento Bee praised his thoughts on how colonialism affected Native art. Later, the book was renamed Indian Art in North America. This was to make room for two more books. These were Indian Art in Middle America and Indian Art in South America.

In 1988, his book Song of the Loom: New Traditions in Navajo Weaving won an award. It received the Wrangler Award for being the best western art book.

Later Life

Frederick J. Dockstader passed away on March 21, 1998. His writings and research papers are now kept at Northern Arizona University.