Edward Pasqual Dozier
Edward Pasqual Dozier was a prominent anthropologist and a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo, making him a significant figure in the field due to his unique perspective as an Indigenous scholar. Growing up in a multilingual environment, he was fluent in Tewa, Spanish, and English, which enriched his research and academic pursuits. After earning his Ph.D. in anthropology from UCLA in 1952, Dozier focused his research on the Tewa people in Arizona and later taught at several universities, including the University of Oregon and the University of Arizona. His notable publications include works on the Tewa villages and broader studies on Pueblo Indians.
Dozier was dedicated to advocating for the interests of Indigenous communities throughout his career. He founded an American Indian studies program at the University of Arizona and actively participated in the Association on American Indian Affairs. His contributions highlight the importance of Indigenous voices in anthropology and offer valuable insights into the cultural experiences of Native peoples. Dozier’s work serves as a bridge between academic research and the lived realities of Indian communities, marking him as a key figure in reshaping the narrative around Indigenous scholarship.
Subject Terms
Edward Pasqual Dozier
- Born: April 23, 1916
- Birthplace: Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
- Died: May 2, 1971
- Place of death: Tucson, Arizona
Tribal affiliation: Santa Clara Pueblo
Significance: One of the first American Indian professors of anthropology, Edward P. Dozier published many important articles and books based on his research among Pueblo people and in the Philippines
Although American anthropologists have often studied Indian people, very few have been Indian themselves. Such an imbalance has meant that, within the educational system, the authorities on the history and cultural experiences of Indian people have tended to be outsiders to Indian communities. As an Indian, Edward Dozier is a major exception in the history of American anthropology.
Dozier grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo and learned to speak Tewa, Spanish, and English. As an adolescent in the 1930’s, he worked as a research assistant for Elizabeth Sergeant, a journalist and ethnographer conducting research among the Pueblos.
Dozier applied his diverse linguistic and cultural experience to his academic studies in anthropology. In 1952, Dozier received a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. After conducting research in a community of Tewa people living among the Hopi in Arizona, Dozier went on to teach anthropology and linguistics at the University of Oregon, Northwestern University, and the University of Arizona. His books include The Tewa of Arizona (1954), Hano: A Tewa Village in Arizona (1966), Mountain Arbiters: The Changing Life of a Philippine Hill People (1966), and The Pueblo Indians of North America (1970).
Throughout his career, Edward Dozier attempted to further the interests of Indian people. At the University of Arizona, he established an American Indian studies program. Between 1957 and 1971, he served on the board of the Association on American Indian Affairs.