Description
The Bernard Nietschmann papers document his professional career as a cultural geographer, scholar, teacher, and activist.
The bulk of the collection concerns his work with the Miskito Indians and other indigenous peoples in Central America and
worldwide. The collection includes correspondence; writings; research data, field notes, and subject files; materials related
to the Maya Mapping Project and Maya Atlas; research proposals and professional projects; teaching materials; administrative
files; personalia and biographical material; drawings, maps, and posters; and audiovisual materials.
Background
Cultural geographer Bernard Q. Nietschmann (1941-2000) was a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of
California, Berkeley from 1977 until 2000. He was known for his field work with the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua, and his
role advising them during their negotiations for self-determination with the Sandinista government. Nietschmann also established
the Maya Mapping Project, using cultural geography to help the Maya in southern Belize produce an atlas that documented their
homeland and promoted their rights to land. He published extensive studies on sea turtles in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the
Torres Strait, documented dangerous beaches and advocated for the safety of divers, and was a spokesperson for the Fourth
World Movement.
Extent
30 Linear Feet
(19 cartons, 2 boxes, 1 volume, 21 oversize folders, and 1 roll)
Restrictions
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html
Availability
Cartons 1-19, boxes 1-2, oversize folders 1-21, and roll 1 are open for research. Volume 1 includes restricted information
and is
closed to researchers until 2057.