Stefan Johnson , CLA 2009
Picturing The Native American Past
Major
Anthropology and American Indian Studies
Mentor
Guy Gibbons, Anthropology
Brief Bio
Accomplishments: Deans List three semesters in a row; gave presentation at Undergraduate Anthropology Conference (UAC); doing another presentation for UAC this upcoming spring. I enjoy art, and studying artwork. Specifically, I enjoy studying Native American artwork and how the artwork expresses their culture. I am also in the Anthropology Club.
Future Plans
I plan on going to graduate school and getting my doctorate in anthropology.
Why Research?
I started out trying to get funding for a dig in the Southwest. Then through several referrals, I ended up working with Guy Gibbons. Because of my interests in anthropology, I found his interests to be right up my alley.
What Did I Get from Research?
What I am getting out of it is a lot of experience with archeology in the field, and working with illustrations of what the past looked like. I am working with a lot of different people such as the state archeologist, a Mankato archeologist, and getting hands on experience working with geology.
How Did I Start?
I went to the head of my department and asked for funding for an archeological dig in the Southwest. Then I was referred from one person to the next. After hearing I do artwork, I ended up getting referred to and working with Guy Gibbons.
My Advice for Another Student:
Any opportunity you have to do research is worthwhile. The experience you gain from going out into the field is invaluable and you should pursue it at all costs. Also, take a grant writing class. It helps! Go with your gut feeling on what kind of research to perform, and follow your passion. Work hard at it; it takes a lot of work to get everything together. Realize the value of networking.
Research Summary
I am illustrating for Guy Gibbons pictures that cover the prehistoric Native American past. I am doing illustrations to reconstruct possible lifestyles of Native Americans. I am trying to reconstruct what their culture may have looked like. I am also reconstructing cartography over six thousand millennium. I am also researching some mounds, and traveling to the different cites to help with drawing. My drawings will be put into his book, and I hope to publish my own book afterwards.