DCHS Seeks to Hire Grant Funded Researcher

UPDATE: This position has been filled. Thank you to all our applicants!

The Douglas County Historical Society of Alexandria, Minnesota is seeking to hire a contracted researcher to produce a report that centers Native perspectives on the history of Native homeland and diaspora within and from Douglas County. The project has been funded by a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant.

Compensation: Total $9,000, to be paid half up front, half upon completion of project

Time: Approximately one year

Location: Alexandria, Minnesota, and remote work

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in research and library work
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with multiple archives and research stakeholders

Project Description:

The Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) in Alexandria, Minnesota, is a non-profit organization with the mission to discover, preserve and share the history of Douglas County and its people. Since the organization’s formal reorganization in 1976, the Society has built a robust library of historical and genealogical resources, including more than 10,000 individual family and business files. The DCHS archive also includes an extensive collection of photos, scrapbooks, journals, letters, and other materials from Douglas County’s history.

DCHS has identified a need for accurate information on local Native American history in our archives.

The proposed research project seeks to hire a professional scholar/researcher to gather resources and create a report on Native history in Douglas County, specifically looking into the nineteenth century and diaspora of Native peoples living in Douglas County, as well as the impact of Knute Nelson and the Nelson Act of 1889 on Native peoples living in the county and the state of Minnesota. As the research is done, the contracted researcher will seek to answer the following questions:

Are there Native perspectives of indigenous life in Douglas County that have been passed down or preserved?

Where were Native peoples living in Douglas County relocated to?

Are there any known indigenous place names for locations in Douglas County?

Summary of Expectations:

The contracted researcher will be responsible for all aspects of the historical research, including:

• Locating source materials
• Making connections with historians, academics, community members, etc. to gather information for the project (up to four collaborators will be provided with $200 for their contributions)
• Compiling notes and citations
• Drafting a written report and public presentation on findings, including annotated bibliography

 

Work Timetable:

Phase 1: Initial Research (2 months)

Month 1: Gather and review sources held at the Douglas County Historical Society and other local and regional institutions.

Month 2: Analyze the gathered sources and identify gaps and biases in information, then expand search of resources to statewide organizations and libraries such as the Minnesota Historical Society. A progress report will be communicated to DCHS staff.

 

Phase 2: Expanded Research (6 months)

Month 3: Once a base of knowledge on Native presence in Douglas County has been formed, begin to make contact with possible sources that could expand on the Native perspective. Sources may include tribal historians or academics, who will be compensated with a $200 stipend for their work.

Month 4-7: Continue research with contacted sources. At Month 6, a progress report will be presented to DCHS staff.

Month 8: DCHS will begin to advertise for the public presentation to be conducted by the contracted researcher. By this point, the contracted researcher should be aware of a basic outline for their presentation. A progress report will be communicated to DCHS staff.

 

Phase 3: Final Writing and Dissemination (4 months)

Month 9-10: Begin writing work for the final written report and presentation using all sources and research gathered to this point. The final written report will include an annotated bibliography.

Month 11: Work on final written report and presentation should be completed at the end of this month.

Month 12: Public presentation of report at DCHS. Staff and board of directors will look over report to decide on possible next steps to use research.

 

For Questions and To Apply, Contact:

Jenna Collins, DCHS Associate Director

jenna.collins@dchsmn.org

320-762-0382

Please include your resume and a short cover letter.