Wolf Robe Hunt papers
name: label: Creator
content: Hunt, Wolf Robe, 1905-1977
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: The papers of Wolf Robe Hunt were donated to the National Anthropological Archives in 1979 by Glenal Davis Hunt.
creator: label: Creator
content: Hunt, Wolf Robe, 1905-1977
culture: label: Culture
content: Acoma Pueblo
setName: label: See more items in
content: Wolf Robe Hunt papers
bioghist: label: Biographical Note
content: Wayne Wolf Robe Hunt, also known as Wolf Robe Hunt, was an artist, craftsman, and performer of Native American cultural expression, and a businessman. Born in Acoma Pueblo on October 14, 1905 to Edward Proctor Hunt (Chief Day Break) and Morning Star, Hunt grew up involved with the cultural traditions of his community. His father served as "'Chief of the Delight Makers,' an Acoma religious order invested with the duties of following and announcing the dates of the Tribal ceremonial Calendar", and Wolf Robe assisted with these duties. Edward Proctor Hunt was also a rancher, and Wolf Robe worked as a cowboy, often riding along the mesa cliffs where rock art of the ancient cliff dwellers was visible. These paintings inspired him to develop his talents as an artist, and he studied under Carl Redin and Frank Von Der Lancken. He also learned silversmithing from his brother.

In addition to painting and jewelry making, Hunt began performing dances and other presentations on Native American life at schools, fairs, community and private events, and later, national and international expos. Though from Acoma, Hunt's work reflectd a pan-Indian perspective. He owned and operated two Indian trading posts in Oklahoma (the first of which opened in 1936), where he sold his jewelry, paintings, leather crafts, and other material. Regularly participating in fairs, expos, and other events, Hunt became sought after for performances and custom jewelry and made a name for himself as a Native performer and artist. Hunt's paintings won awards at art shows, including the "Grand Award" of the Philbrook Art Center in 1967.

In the 1960s Hunt made a number of overseas trips to perform at various events and programs, often bringing with him a troupe of Native performers who would exhibit ceremonial dances and other traditional displays. Between 1964 and 1969 Hunt visited Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, Australia, and a few other places, some trips under the auspices of the US Department of Commerce's "Made in America" events. In 1973 Hunt was named "Oklahoma's Indian of the Year" by the Council of American Indians.

Hunt married Glenal Davis in 1932 and the two had a daughter, LoWayne. Hunt passed away on December 10, 1977.

Sources consulted:

Papers of Wolf Robe Hunt, National Antropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 6 Linear feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1927-1979
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: National Anthropological Archives
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NAA.1979.0402
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The Wolf Robe Hunt papers are organized into five series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Writings; 3. Subject files; 4. Ephemera and printed material; and 5. Photographs.
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was initially minimally processed by Jill McC. Watson, April 1980 and finding aid created by Judith S. Engelberg, August 1992. 

Collection fully processed and new finding aid created by Gina Rappaport in February 2025.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The papers of Wolf Robe Hunt document the life and work of a busy artist and businessman, and reflect Hunt's dedication to illuminating Native American traditions and lifeways through his arts, crafts, and performances. The papers consist of correspondence, writings, photographs, subject files, printed programs, ephemera, and memorabilia.

Much of the correspondence deals with requests, logistics, and arrangements for his programs and performances, as well as orders for and correspondence about his jewelry and other crafts. Also included are letters between Wolf Robe and Glenal Hunt, mostly from his travels.

Writings primarily contain drafts of stories, some of which were collected in The Dancing Horses of Acoma. Subject files contain information on a variety of topics, and include material from Pueblo sculptor Nabor Feliz Netzahault. The ephemera and printed material include programs and advertisements for various events and illuminate the range of things Hunt was involved in.

Photographs are fairly extensive and include professional and publicity photos as well as photos of family and friends.

    
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
relatedmaterial: label: Related Materials
content: The National Anthropological Archives holds MS 4290, Wolf Robe Hunt drawings of Acoma katsinas and ceremonial objects.

The National Anthropological Archives also holds transcripts of interviews with Wolf Robe Hunt conducted by Herman J. Viola, in the Herman J. Viola papers.