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Omaha and Ponca Letters

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There are two published collections of Omaha-Ponca texts, Dorsey 1890 (Contributions to North American Ethnography VI), and a smaller supplement, Dorsey 1891, this book. It is the only one of the two in print. Dorsey 1890 consists of literary and historical texts, plus some speeches, and a number of letters. Dorsey 1891 consists of letters not included in Dorsey 1890. The letters were copied down in Omaha-Ponca by the compiler, translated with the aid of the tribal interpreters and other individuals, and subsequently mailed (probably in translation only) to the addressees. Although presumably phrased in the knowledge that Dorsey and the translater, at least, were aware of their contents, the letters are an extremely valuable insight into the Omaha and Ponca experience in the 1880s, and contain much of historical and cultural value. They will also be of interest to the descendents of the authors. Some of the letters are personal; others are written to government officials, newspapers, and charities. The footnotes are in some cases of strong linguistic interest.