Established by the Cherokee Nation in 1851 in present-day eastern Oklahoma; the nondenominational Cherokee Female Seminary was one of the most important schools in the history of American Indian education. Unusual among Indian schools because it was founded by neither the federal government nor by missionary agencies; the school offered a rigorous curriculum from elementary grades through high school that was patterned after that of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. It offered no instruction in the Cherokee language or culture; but it was open only to full- and mixed-blood Cherokee girls. Many of the seminarians were acculturated Cherokees who welcomed the opportunity to study in an environment where "white ways" were held up as the ideal. More traditional Cherokees found the atmosphere oppressive. Devon Mihesuah explores the school's history; examining curriculum; faculty; administration; and educational philosophy and showing how these elements affected the 2;300 women who were educated there. A number of the seminary's graduates went on to study at colleges and universities across the country; becoming teachers; physicians; businesswomen; and social workers. Even those former students who did not seek careers exerted considerable influence within their families and in civic life. Cultivating the Rosebuds is a study of acculturation; assimilation; and tribal identity; sensitively delving into the differences between progressive and traditional Cherokees and the interactions between them. It also offers insights into the school's role in the tribe's cultural transitions; the changing roles of Cherokee women; and the impact of the students' experiences upon their tribe.
#3519591 in Books 2006-08-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.30 x 6.00l; 1.44 #File Name: 0252029887312 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must readBy Ra's al GhulA must read for those interested in all things Indo-European.2 of 6 people found the following review helpful. like pulling teethBy L. LutgensI bought this book because I was intrigued by its basic topic: sacred space in ancient Roman religion and Vedic practice. Sadly; this book is so scholarly that it's virtually unreadable. I'm slogging through because there are so many interesting tidbits on Roman religion; but it's like pulling teeth. Woodard constantly writes an interesting paragraph and then rather than go on; he refers the reader to another chapter and another paragraph.There is interesting material in this book about the Ambarvalia and the Arval Brothers and also gods such as Terminus; but it takes self-discipline to get to it. Oh; and so far not much mention of goddesses except occasionally when men feature in their religious rites.To sum up; this book is disappointing; but I still intend to wade through to the end.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Excellent work on Sacred SpaceBy DanielThe value goes beyond Roman; and is applicable to Germanic and Celtic scholars as well. I thoroughly enjoyed his defense of Dumezil. Further; I enjoyed his clarification on the comparative method; something that devotees of Joseph Campbell should take note of.
