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“Blue Winds Dancing”. Tom Whitecloud. Who is Tom Whitecloud?. Born in New York City, 1912 Spent part of his youth on the Chippewa reservation in Wisconsin Worked various jobs Decided to pursue a career in medicine
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“Blue Winds Dancing” Tom Whitecloud
Who is Tom Whitecloud? • Born in New York City, 1912 • Spent part of his youth on the Chippewa reservation in Wisconsin • Worked various jobs • Decided to pursue a career in medicine • Studied at University of New Mexico and at the University of Redlands in California • Went on to study medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans • Devoted himself to improving the health of Native Americans • Helped found the American Association of Indian Physicians
Chippewa / Ojibwa Culture • Live in groups or “bands” • Live a sedentary lifestyle • Fishing, hunting • Typical dwelling: wigwam • OR a domed or pointed lodge • Made of birch, juniper bark, and willow saplings • Developed a form of pictorial writing recorded on rock • Crafted the dream catcher • Belief that spirits guided them through life
Lac du Flambeau • Inhabited area since 1745 when Chief Keeshkemun led the band to the area • Acquired the name Lac du Flambeau from its gathering practice of harvesting fish at night by torchlight • Lac du Flambeau = Lake of the Torches • Given this name by French traders who visited the area
The Great Depression • Severe economic depression in the decade preceding World War II • Originated after the stock market crash, October 29th, 1929 • Surest way to become rich became the quickest path to bankruptcy • Placed millions of Americans out of work
The Great depression • Dust Bowl • Great plains hit hard with a drought and dust storms • Usually headed to California, seeking agricultural jobs • Called derogatory names such as “Okies” or “Arkies” (coming from Oklahoma or Arkansas) • “Riding the rails” • Illegal, yet cheap transportation • Works Progress Administration • Part of Roosevelt’s “New Deal” plan • Attempt to help curb unemployment by hiring people for various projects • Employed millions of men (many of whom were unskilled) to complete jobs such as construction of public roads and buildings