Author(s): Caleb Slater
Mentor(s): Kathleen Broeder, Sally McDonald
Institution SUU
Who are you? On the surface, this question may seem simple to answer: you are yourself and no one else. While not necessarily wrong, this answer overlooks many deep complexities which have been integral to shaping your identity. You are the culmination of centuries worth of history, a product of your ancestral heritage, and molded by your culture. In short, you are the co-author of a story that began long before you, and will continue far beyond your lifetime. This concept is central to the works of Luella Dalton, a devoted writer and historian of pioneer and family heritage. Through her writings and interpretations of historical accounts, it can be seen how she also was shaped by her culture. Dalton’s work as a historian and writer reflect a unique and innately complex cultural system rooted in her community and its pioneer heritage. Within her vast collections of writings, Dalton exhibits a narrative which stems from the religious beliefs and cultural values of her community. This narrative gives a romanticized outlook on colonialism, inhibits Native American voices by exhibiting their history solely through a white perspective, and indicates an existence of traditionally structured gender roles throughout her community. Through examining Luella Dalton’s writings and collections, this research invites you to explore a time that is both distant yet familiar, to reflect on how perspectives of the past have changed or endured over time, and to contemplate what legacy you wish to leave in your own story before it is given to a new author.