Angie Debo Collection - Edmon Low Library

About the Collection

Dr. Angie Debo was a respected historian from Oklahoma whose most notable research documented the sovereign Native American nations located within the boundaries of the state. Her scholarship focused on the Five Nations, Geronimo, and the history of Native Americans and Oklahoma. She was also a teacher, pastor, and director of the Federal Writers Project in Oklahoma.

Born in 1890 in Beattie, Kansas, Debo moved with her family to Marshall, Oklahoma Territory, in 1899. From 1947 to 1955, she served as curator of maps at Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University. After retiring in 1955, she continued to write, lecture, and travel. She researched family histories, served on the boards of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Association on American Indian Affairs, conducted surveys for the Indian Rights Association, and advocated for land rights for Alaska Natives and for water rights for the Havasupai and Pima in Arizona.

Debo authored nine books, edited three volumes, co-authored one book, and wrote numerous chapters, articles, and forewords. She also presented many papers on Native American and Oklahoma history and was an advocate for civil rights and Native American rights.

The Angie Debo Collection includes more than 1,300 photographs documenting Debo’s research, professional work, and personal life. The collection contributes to the documentation of Native American history and Oklahoma history, as well as Debo’s career as a scholar, writer, and advocate.

This site also provides access to selected primary source materials related to Dr. Debo’s life and work, including publications, contextual essays, podcasts, and teacher resources.

Access the Physical Collection

Materials from this collection are available in Special Collections and University Archives. For assistance or to request archival materials, contact (405) 744-6311 or libscua@okstate.edu.