Collection Guide
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Nietschmann (Bernard) papers
BANC MSS 2010/185
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Bernard Nietschmann papers
Creator:
Nietschmann, Bernard
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 2010/185
Physical Description:
30 Linear Feet
(19 cartons, 2 boxes, 1 volume, 21 oversize folders, and 1 roll)
Date (inclusive): 1956-2001
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English, Spanish, and Miskito.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
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.
No future additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Bernard Nietschmann papers were given to The Bancroft Library in 2010 by Brian Weiss, Executor of the Estate of Angelina
Nietschmann.
There are no alternative forms of this collection.
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.
Nietschmann was born in Peoria, Illinois. He attended UCLA, where he received a BA in geography in 1965. He received his MA
and Ph.D. in Geography at University of Wisconsin (1968 and 1970), and taught at the University of Michigan before coming
to Berkeley in 1977. Nietschmann won teaching awards at both schools. He was a member of the National Geographic Society's
Committee for Research and Exploration, a founding member of the board of directors of the Center for World Indigenous Studies,
and a Pew Foundation Fellow in conservation and environment. Nietschmann died in Berkeley after a long battle with esophageal
cancer.
[Identification of item], Bernard Nietschmann papers, BANC MSS 2010/185, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Arranged to the folder level.
Processed by Marjorie Bryer in 2020.
Photographs from the Bernard Nietschmann papers [graphic] (BANC PIC 2011.015)
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz papers (BANC MSS 2004/222 z)
Scope and Content of Collection
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 is divided into 10 series: Correspondence; Writings; Research Data, Field Notebooks, and Subject
Files; Maya Mapping Project; Research Proposals and Professional Projects; Course Materials; University of California, Berkeley
Administrative Materials; Personalia and Biographical Material; Drawings, Maps, and Posters; and Audiovisual Materials.
Photographs transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.
Digital materials transferred to the Digital Collections Unit of The Bancroft Library.
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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Nietschmann, Bernard -- Archives.
University of California, Berkeley. -- Department of Georgraphy.
Maya Mapping Project.
Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional.
Maya atlas.
Miskito Indians -- Government relations.
Miskito Indians -- Wars.
Indians of Central America -- Nicaragua -- Government relations.
Indians of Central America -- Wars -- Nicaragua.
Indigenous peoples -- Land tenure.
Sea turtles -- Central America.
Sea turtles -- Caribbean Sea.
Marine animals -- Torres Strait.
Cultural geography.
Nicaragua -- Politics and government -- 1979-1990.