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Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (b. 1933) is a Lakota writer, educator and historian, recognized for her contributions to Native American literature and cultural preservation. An enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she was raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and pursued a career in education before transitioning to writing. Her literary career began in 1971 with the award-winning Jimmy Yellow Hawk, leading to a prolific body of work that includes fiction, non-fiction, historical studies, and children’s literature. Her impact on Indigenous representation in literature and education has been widely recognized, earning her numerous honors, including the National Humanities Medal, making her the first South Dakotan to receive this distinction.

The Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve Papers span from the 1960s to the 2020s, documenting her literary career, research and advocacy. The collection includes manuscripts, research materials, correspondence and published works, highlighting her dedication to Native American storytelling and cultural history. Works such as Completing the Circle, The Medicine Bag, Dancing Teepees and Sioux Women are represented through drafts, reviews and editorial notes. Additionally, the collection contains materials related to her speaking engagements, professional affiliations and awards. A significant resource for scholars, educators, and researchers, these papers provide valuable insights into Indigenous narratives, representation and the broader landscape of Native American literature.