Jeanne Eder Rhodes, PhD
CurtisCamp Cultural Expert
Jeanne Eder Rhodes is an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Poplar, Montana. She received a BA Degree in American History from Carroll College in Helena, Montana in 1975 and a Master's Degree in American History from Montana State University in 1983.
She started teaching in Indian Studies programs while working on her Master's Degree, then took her first university position at the University of North Dakota in 1979. In 1981, Jeanne returned to her home state and took a position as Director of the Talent Search Program for the Commissioner of Higher Education. In 1983, she became Director of the Native Studies Program for Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University Billings), where she remained for ten years.
Jeanne left MSUB to work on a PhD in American History and Public History. After completion, she became Director of Native Studies at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, retiring from the University in 2010. She retired to Phoenix, Arizona, where she has continued to work as a private consultant in American Indian History and Public History.
She has performed three American Indian characters from the past: Waheenee (Buffalo Bird Woman), Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), and Sacagawea. She continues to work on papers and family research interests.
Jeanne serves as CurtisCamp's cultural advisor, providing expert perspective on the Native peoples and cultures documented in Edward Curtis's work.
Talk to Our Cultural Expert
If you have questions about the cultural significance of the Curtis plates or the peoples they document, you may inquire through the Camp Keeper.