Ruthann, the Leader-Hearted Woman - inawa’sioskitsipaki

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Paleo Lithics to Legacy Management: Ruthann Knudson—Inawa’sioskitsipaki" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Blackfoot, in whose territories Ruthann Knudson worked, recognize some women as inawa’sioskitsipaki, a “leader-hearted woman.” Such a woman is strong, intelligent, highly moral, outstandingly capable in the tasks she carries out, kind, and generous. She is deeply respected and listened to. Oscar Lewis, in a classic paper, introduced the phrase but translated it as “manly-hearted woman.” Contemporary Blackfoot speakers say “leader-hearted” is closer to its meaning. Ruthann didn’t act macho; she was calm, steady, collegial, and clear-headed on what good science and good public outreach required. Wherever she worked, she was the leader people needed. I will describe her work for the Blackfeet Nation and the Museum of the Plains Indian, work epitomizing an inawa’sioskitsipaki.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paleo Lithics to Legacy Management: Ruthann Knudson—Inawa’sioskitsipaki   •
• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 29887