Guide to the William W. Richards papers
circa 1966-1995
Collection number: HMC-0693.
Creator: Richards, William (Bill) W.
Title: William W. Richards papers.
Dates: circa 1966-1995.
Volume of collection: 5 cubic feet.
Language of materials: A majority of the materials in this collection are in English, however there are some materials in Russian and various Alaska Native languages.
Collection summary: Papers of U.S. Public Health Service psychiatrist relating to studies on social transitions in the North.
Biographical note:
William (Bill) W. Richards was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1941, and grew up in San Francisco, California. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate from the University of California San Francisco Medical School. Dr. Richards came to Alaska in 1970 with his wife, Maribeth, to serve as the Chief of Mental Health in the Indian Health Service. He later held the positions of Senior Clinical Specialist in Psychiatry, and Director of the Area Division of Behavioral Health, with the rank of captain in the U.S. Public Health Service. Richards also served in the following positions: Corresponding Member of the Committee of American Indian and Alaska Native Psychiatrists; President of the Alaska Psychiatric Association (1990-1993); member of the Board of Directors of the Native American Research and Training Center at the University of New Mexico (1984-1995); Examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1990-1992); and Chairman of the Therapeutic Care Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. He was a co-principal investigator for the sociological project, Social Transitions in the North, funded by the National Science Foundation, which examined a sample of Alaskan and Russian Far Eastern communities. During the final year of this project, Dr. Richards was lost at sea in an accident near Provideniya, Russia, on September 7, 1995.
Collection description:
The collection consists of materials regarding Richards’ projects, including his work on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, traditional healing practices, including those of Alaska Natives, hypnosis, and the project “Comparative Study of Social Transition in the North: Alaska and Russian Far East.” The collection contains correspondence, notes, reference materials, reports, articles, and documents relating to the projects. The collection also contains files on mental health and substance abuse, color slides and photographs, videocassettes, audiocassettes, and assorted memorabilia. Per Dr. Kathy Graves of UAA, the videos appear to be documenting a trip to Russia, perhaps before the Social Transition in the North project. In the videos, Richards is seen visiting three centers in Russia and is talking to administrative staff and patients. The centers appear to be a Psychiatric Clinic, an inpatient substance abuse center, and an alternative healing center.
Arrangement: The collection is roughly arranged by subject.
Digitized copies: Select audio and videos have been digitized, some of which are available on Alaska’s Digital Archives. Other digitized copies of collection materials are not available online, however they are available for use in the Archives Research Room. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Digitization was made possible by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Use restrictions: The collection may contain materials subject to HIPAA or other confidentiality restrictions. Researchers are responsible for abiding by the appropriate laws.
Rights note: Archives holds copyright to materials created by Bill Richards. The collection contains materials created by others. The Archives does not hold copyright to these materials.
Preferred citation: William W. Richards papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Separated materials: Publications were removed from the collection and some added to Rare Books. Please ask an archivist for further information.
Related materials: The archives also holds Social Transitions in the North project records, HMC-0692.
Custodial history: The collection was housed at the Institute of Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) until 2004 when it was transferred to Archives. Maribeth Richards, Bill Richards’ wife, signed an agreement transferring the collection to the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2002.
Acquisition note: The collection was transferred from ICHS to Archives in 2004 and a transfer agreement was signed by Brian Saylor, Director of ICHS.
Processing information: The collection was arranged and described by ICHS in 2004 prior to the collections arrival to Archives. Further description was provided by Jeffrey Sinnott in 2004. Publications were removed from the collection and the guide converted to current standard by Veronica Denison in 2015. Materials that were in binders have been removed and placed into folders. Original folder and binder label titles have been retained. Becky Butler provided additional description when materials were digitized in 2019.
Container list:
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Correspondence from Bill Richards | undated, 1991-1993 |
| 1/2 | Correspondence to Bill Richards | 1992-1994 |
| 1/3 | Other correspondence | 1992-1993 |
| 1/4 | Proposals: “Traditional Healing Project Intake Assessment, Materials Development,” “Cooperative Magadan-Alaska Psychiatry-Narcology Project,” “Certificate of Rural Human Services,” “Russian-Alaska Women’s Exchange in the Sphere of Social Organizing” | circa 1991-1993 |
| 1/5 | Papers and reports written by Richards | undated, 1992 |
| 1/6 | Training Materials and procedures | 1990-1993 |
| 1/7 | Russia Contacts / Calling Cards (NOTE: Includes non-Russian contacts as well) | undated |
| 1/8 | Bibliographies, literature searches, and reference lists | undated, 1978-1992 |
| 1/9 | Reference Materials | 1979-1993 |
| 1/10 | Hand-Written Notes, Various | undated |
| 1/11 | Telemedicine Project | 1995 |
| 1/12-13 | Suicide Prevention Project: Alaska Native village: Case studies, proposals, reports, Native village needs | 1990-1994 |
| 1/14 | Comparative Joint Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Project: Russia / Alaska | circa 1992-1993 |
| 1/15 | Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) Book Project | 1990-1993 |
| 1/16 | Cultural Competency Counseling Back-up Information (3-ring binder): Conferences | 1988-1992 |
| 1/17 | Major Trends in Alaska Native Mortality and Morbidity, with Special Emphasis on Behavioral Health Conditions (3-ring binder) | undated |
| 1/18 | Russia Equipment Instructions | undated, 1991 |
| 1/19 | Saylor, Brian, et al. A review of the scientific work of Bill Richards | undated |
| 1/20 | Eskimo words and concepts describing family functioning: Report on an Alaska Native mental health project: II. The concept of resourcefulness, Jennings, Bertha, et al. | 1992 |
| 1/21 | Oaxaca project update (emails), Russ Bernard | 1995 January |
| 1/22 | Translation of English words to Yupik | undated |
| 1/23 | Inupiaq alphabet | undated |
| 1/24 | Various hand-written notes: Translations of English words to Yup’ik (mostly medical related) | undated |
| 1/25 | Eskimo-English MH/Medical Dictionaries | 1990 |
| 1/26 | English-Inupiaq Mental Health-Related Terms, Draft | undated |
| 1/27 | Materials from “W” “to be returned to you” [Dr. Richards]: Alaska Native language and culture, conferences, meetings, | 1981-1992 |
| 1/28 | North Slope Borough [folder] | undated, 1990 |
| 2/1 | Pre-Trip 1991 Work Plan: Magadan-Alaska Mental Health Work Plan | 1991-1992 |
| 2/2 | Plans (EPI) Comparing Child Health: US vs USSR | circa 1990 |
| 2/3 | CTPAHHOE OBZRBMEHNE: Learning Russian | undated |
| 2/4-7 | Russian language materials (used for research) | undated |
| 2/8 | Hand-written notes pertaining to Alcohol Counseling, etc. | undated |
| 2/9 | Hand-written notes pertaining to Russia Projects | undated |
| 2/10 | Bibliography and correspondence pertaining to 1979 Barrow, Alaska, Alcohol Study | circa 1966-1988 |
| 2/11 | FAS files | undated, 1989-1992 |
| 2/12 | Alcohol files | circa 1991-1992 |
| 2/13 | Alaska Native Traditional Healers – Tape Project | circa 1992 |
| 2/14-3/1 | Traditional Healing Project – Kotzebue | 1993 |
| 3/2 | Traditional Healing Project – Russia | circa 1993-1994 |
| 3/3 | 3-Ring Binder – No Label – Reference Materials | undated, 1991 |
| 3/4 | 3-Ring Binder – No Label – Report on small rural mental health systems | undated, 1988 |
| 3/5 | B 335 | undated |
| 3/6 | Village Drug Reference (VDR) (NOTE: Post-it with note to file under “Cult. Competent [illegible]) | 1988 |
| 3/7 | Village-Based Counselor | undated |
| 3/8 | Culturally Competent Counseling 2: Alaska Native healing practices | 1993-1994 |
| 3/9 | Jennings, Bertha: Traditional Healing Project information, AMIPA (Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association) | undated, 1992-1994 |
| 3/10 | Epidemiology | 1989-1984 |
| 3/11 | Local Native Health Concerns | 1993 |
| 3/12 | Alaska Health Care Bibliography | 1992 |
| 3/13 | Traditional Medicine (bibliography) | undated |
| 3/14 | Russia – Visa Application Procedures | 1990 |
| 3/15 | Bibliography – Russia Anthro / MH | undated |
| 3/16 | Reproduction (proposed research by Igor Lunin) | undated, 1995 |
| 3/17 | Russian Contacts | 1993 |
| 3/18 | Russia – Children – Mental Health | 1990 |
| 3/19 | Russian Far East Information | 1993 |
| 3/20 | Russia – Mental Health | circa 1989-1992 |
| 3/21 | Alcoholism | circa 1985-1988 |
| 3/22 | Etok: AFN Paper on Russian – American Occupation: “The Bitter Root of Truth: The Russian-American Occupation of Sovereign People” | 1991 October |
| 3/23 | George: Chukotka Video Proposal (Soviet Chukotca: A Great Land Awakes) | circa 1990 |
| 3/24 | MacLean, Edna: Revitalization & Community House | 1986 March |
| 3/25 | Magadan Mental Patients Wanting Pen Pals | undated |
| 3/26 | Marshall: Native Suicides | 1990-1991 |
| 3/27 | Plans: EPI Project – Magadan – Alaska (Draft Proposal for Alaska-Magadan Joint Epidemiology Project) | undated |
| 3/28 | Plans: Magadan – Alaska 1992-1997 Work Plan | 1992 |
| 3/29 | Plans for various projects | undated |
| 3/30 | Project: Hypnosis | undated |
| 3/31 | Projects – Various – English & Russian Versions: Psychology and mental health programs, substance abuse | circa 1991 |
| 3/32 | Project: Feldsher Training (Alaska Rural Human Services) – Rural Human Services Certificate Project | 1991 |
| 3/33 | Spiral-Bound Notebooks: Bill Richards, Vols. 1-2: Hypnosis | undated |
| 3/34 | Project: Organization of Substance Abuse Services—Magadan/Chukotka | circa 1991 |
| 3/35 | Project: Epidemiological Trends – Magadan vs Alaska | circa 1991 |
| 3/36 | Project 6: The Description of Methods of Neuroleptic Usage in Magadan/Chukotka Region with Comparison to Alaska | circa 1991 |
| 3/37 | Summary Information: Alcohol Comparisons Russia – Alaska | 1991 |
| 3/38 | Richotsky, J.: Magadan Health Stats | 1991 |
| 3/39 | Inupiat / Litqusiat Project | 1992 |
| 3/40 | Alaska Statewide – Information for Handouts, Presentations, Slides | undated |
| 3/41 | Alaska Statewide – Training: Suicide prevention, injury matrix | circa 1994 |
| 3/42 | Alaska Statewide – Key References: Suicidal behavior case reports | 1993-1994 |
| 3/43 | Alaska – Unmet Needs – Ideas for Grants, Emphasis Packages: suicide rates among Alaska Natives | 1994 |
| 3/44 | Consultations on the US-Russia Science & Technology Relationship, 13 Aug 1992, Meeting with Scientists, Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy | 1992 |
| 4/1 | Yuri Vlekhin Visit 3/93: FAS-Related Program Information | 1993 |
| 4/2 | Russia – FAS Plans | 1991 |
| 4/3 | FAS: reports, studies, and notes | 1991-1993 |
| 4/4 | Russia – FAS Articles / Protocols, FAS in Alaska | undated, 1993 |
| 4/5 | Russia – Slides, photographs of trip to Russia | 1991 |
| 4/6 | Magadan – General Organization | 1988-1992 |
| 4/7 | Magadan – 1991 Write-Up of Trip (Report of the Mental Health Team Summarizing the 1991 Visit to Magadan / Chukotka) | 1991 |
| 4/8 | Observing Eskimo Communication (psychological aspects of Alaska Native communication)—draft article and notes | undated |
| 4/9 | Russia—slides (photographs of trip) | 1992 |
| 4/10 | Magadan – Alaska MH[Mental Health] Papers | 1988-1992 |
| 4/11 | Project to Decrease Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the Problems of Children of Alcoholic Families in the Magadan Region, 1992-1997 | 1992 |
| 4/12 | Small Rural MH[Mental Health] Systems (UCLA Talk) | undated |
| 4/13 | Alaska MH Charts / Illustrations | undated |
| 4/14 | Ideas for MH Slides | undated |
| 4/15 | Alcohol Training Materials (notes used for research) | circa 1982-1992 |
| 4/16 | Alcohol Illustrations (articles and notes used for research) | circa 1971-1986 |
| 4/17 | Lewin Draft (Kurt Lewin and Rural Alaska Mental Health Systems – Draft for Discussion Purposes, Bill Richards, M.D.) | undated |
| 4/18 | Kotzebue – Contract – Subcontracts – People Involved (notes, correspondence, project information, and reports) | 1993 |
| 4/19 | Kotzebue – Interview Information (Interview Development) | 1993 |
| 4/20 | Kotzebue – Field Trip Activities – Recommendations / Write-Ups | 1994 |
| 4/21 | McNabb, S. – NSF (“Some international comparisons of mortality amenable to medical intervention” by John R.H. Charlton and Ramon Velzez): notes relating to article and Richards’ Russia project | undated, 1986 |
| 5 | Colored slides and photographs: Russia, Alaska, presentations | 1972-1992 |
| 5/1 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with Russian narcotic professionals in Magadan, Vladimir and Larissa. At least three English-speaking interviewers are present. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video covers the topics the treatment of drug addiction, the relationship between narcology and other health fields, and efforts to stop production of ephedrone. | circa 1991 |
| 5/2 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with Russian narcotic researchers in Magadan, Vladimir and Larissa. Dr. Bill Richards and at least two other English-speaking interviewers are present. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video covers the difference between ephedrone and ephedrine, symptoms of ephedrone ingestion, and the treatment, study, and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. | circa 1991 |
| 5/3 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with Russian narcotic researchers from Magadan, Vladimir and Larissa. Dr. Bill Richards and at least two other English-speaking interviewers are present. The video covers the topics of the response to child abuse in Alaska, the rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Alaska Natives and non-Natives, and the treatment and education of children with FASD. | circa 1991 |
| 5/4 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with Russian narcotic researchers in Magadan, Russia. Dr. Bill Richards and one other English-speaking interviewer are present. The video covers the topics of the education of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, the funding of public health efforts by NGOs and pharmaceutical companies, and the identification of FASD. The video includes a visit to a Russian clinic to point out the physical identifiers of FASD in newborns. | circa 1991 |
| 5/5 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with Russian narcotic researchers in Magadan, Russia. Dr. Bill Richards and one other English-speaking interviewer are present. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video covers the development of a survey to assess the public’s view of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a discussion of promotional materials to educate the public on FASD, and an interview with an ephedrone user. The video includes visits to a school for children with FASD and various sites around Magadan. | circa 1991 |
| 5/6 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with an ephedrone and alcohol user in Magadan, Russia. It was recorded when Dr. Bill Richards and other Alaskan public health professionals visited what appears to be an inpatient substance abuse center. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Content warning: the video includes discussion of depression and addiction. | circa 1991 |
| 5/7 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of an interview with an ephedrone users and public health professionals in Magadan, Russia. It was recorded when Dr. Bill Richards and other Alaskan public health professionals visited what appears to be an inpatient substance abuse center. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Content warning: the video includes discussion of depression and addiction. | circa 1991 |
| 5/8 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards of Alaska interviewing two psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video covers topics like patient records, the documentation of mental conditions, and the provision of mental health services in Magadan. | circa 1991 |
| 5/9 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards and other Alaskans interviewing psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video covers the topics of mental health in adolescents, the affect of mental health on crime rates, and the provision of mental health services in Magadan. | circa 1991 |
| 5/10 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards and other Alaskans interviewing psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video discusses crime and mental health services in Magadan. | circa 1991 |
| 5/11 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards counseling a mental health patient with two Russian psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. The video discusses depression and mental health diagnoses and treatments in Magadan. RESTRICTED: Patient’s first name is used but their face is not shown. | circa 1991 |
| 5/12 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards counseling two mental health patients with Russian psychiatrists and discussing mental health, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and substance abuse treatments in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. RESTRICTED: The second patient’s first name is used, he is a minor, and his face is shown. | circa 1991 |
| 5/13 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards interviewing a young male adolescent with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and discussing mental health patients’ cases with Russian psychiatrists. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. RESTRICTED: The second patient’s first name is used, he is a minor, and his face is shown. | circa 1991 |
| 5/14 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards discussing mental health treatments and the state of mental health care with a Russian psychiatrist in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. | circa 1991 |
| 5/15 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards discussing mental health treatments, the state of mental health care, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome with a Russian psychiatrist in Magadan, Russia. This is a continuation of a discussion in item 14. The video also depicts three interviews with mental health patients. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Content warning: discussion of suicide. RESTRICTED: Patient faces are clearly visible. | circa 1991 |
| 5/16 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards interviewing mental health patients in Magadan, Russia. This is a continuation of the interviews in item 15. There is also a discussion of mental health care between Dr. Richards and a Russian psychiatrist. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Content warning: discussion of suicide. RESTRICTED: Patient faces are clearly visible. | circa 1991 |
| 5/17 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards discussing mental health care for suicidal patients and patients’ cases with psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Content warning: discussion of suicide. | circa 1991 |
| 5/18 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards interviewing mental health patients and psychiatrists in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. Topics discussed include substance abuse, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, mental health treatments, and juvenile mental health care. RESTRICTED: Patient faces are clearly visible. | circa 1991 |
| 5/19 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards observing two women performing traditional healing on several patients, likely in Magadan, Russia. Dr. Richards and his daughter then interview the healers on their techniques and the use of healing energy. There is also an interview with a Russian psychiatrist about learning disabilities in schools, mental health stigmas, and paying for mental health care. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. | circa 1991 |
| 5/20 | VHS-C videotape: Video recording of Dr. Bill Richards and his daughter interviewing three traditional healers about their practice and observing patients receiving acupuncture, massage, and energy treatments. Likely filmed in Magadan, Russia. Dialogue is in Russian and English through a translator. | circa 1991 |
| 5/21 | VHS-C videotape: “Celebrating Alaska Native Cultures and Lifestyles.” Title from banner in video. Video of various Alaska Native dance and drum groups performing at an unknown event. Chukchi, Yupik, and Inupiaq dances are among those featured. Performed by groups like the Northern Light Dancers and the Chukchi Eskimo Dancers. | undated |
| 5/22 | Audio cassette tape: “Inupiaq terms by Bertha Jennings.” Audio recording of a woman giving English translations of Inupiaq terms for emotional and physical states and key verbs. | undated |
| 5/23 | Audio cassette tape: Audio recording of a woman [likely Bertha Jennings] listing Inupiaq vocabulary words. Some English translations are provided. | undated |
| 5/24 | Audio cassette tape: Audio recording of a woman [likely Bertha Jennings] reading Inupiaq vocabulary words from pages 58-61 of a book titled “North Slope, Inupiaq Medicine Terminology.” Some English translations are provided. | undated |
| 5/25 | Audio cassette tape: “Values by Bertha Jennings.”Audio recording of a woman discussing values held by people. | undated |
| 5 | Memorabilia: pins, buttons, business cards | undated |