Frances Densmore (1867-1957) was an American ethnologist/ethnomusicologist. Inspired by the work of Alice Fletcher, Densmore devoted her life to documenting the songs & ceremonies of Native Americans, esp. the Dakota #Sioux & Minnesota #Ojibwe. #IWD2021 #NativeAmericans (thread) 
After receiving a research grant, Densmore purchased this Columbia #graphophone #waxcylinder recorder and used it throughout years of fieldwork, recording songs and interviews. #fieldrecording #phonography #ethnomusicology #InternationalWomensDay2021
She left behind a meticulously catalogued and invaluable personal archive of some 2,500 cylinder recordings. (Photo: Densmore [in hat] stands before a #tipi, 1900 – other people in photo undocumented). #InternationalWomensDay
Like many of her time, Densmore wanted Native Americans to assimilate into white culture – likely in part bc she paradoxically viewed their living culture a threat to her archival work.
(Photo: Mountain Chief listening w/#FrancesDensmore, 1916)
#indigenouspeoples #IWD2021
(Photo: Mountain Chief listening w/#FrancesDensmore, 1916)
#indigenouspeoples #IWD2021
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