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Nancy Oestreich Lurie: A Pioneering Scholar of Wisconsin Indians

Samuel Ward

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Nancy Oestreich Lurie was a pioneering scholar of Wisconsin Indians. Her work helped to shape our understanding of the history, culture, and traditions of Wisconsin's indigenous peoples. Lurie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1922. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1943 and her master's degree from the same institution in 1944. In 1948, she received her doctorate in anthropology from Columbia University.

Lurie began her career as a research associate at the Milwaukee Public Museum. In 1955, she joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she taught for 30 years. During her time at UWM, Lurie published numerous books and articles on Wisconsin Indians. She also served as the director of the university's American Indian Studies program.

Wisconsin Indians

by Nancy Oestreich Lurie

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In 1985, Lurie retired from UWM and became a research associate at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. She continued to publish and lecture on Wisconsin Indians until her death in 2004.

Lurie's work has had a profound impact on our understanding of Wisconsin Indians. Her scholarship has helped to dispel stereotypes and promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the history, culture, and traditions of Wisconsin's indigenous peoples.

Lurie's Contributions to the Field of Anthropology

Lurie made significant contributions to the field of anthropology. She was one of the first scholars to use ethnohistory to study Wisconsin Indians. Ethnohistory is a subfield of anthropology that uses historical methods to study the culture and history of non-literate peoples. Lurie's work helped to bridge the gap between the fields of history and anthropology and to create a more holistic understanding of the past.

Lurie was also a pioneer in the study of Native American women. Her book, Women in American Indian Society, was one of the first major works to focus on the role of women in Native American cultures. Lurie's work helped to change the way that scholars thought about Native American women and to recognize their importance in their societies.

Lurie's Legacy

Nancy Oestreich Lurie was a pioneering scholar who made significant contributions to the field of anthropology. Her work helped to shape our understanding of the history, culture, and traditions of Wisconsin Indians. Lurie's legacy will continue to inspire and inform scholars for generations to come.