Man makes own museum out of his
vast collection
Venturan has gathered Native American artifacts
By Amy Bentley, Correspondent October 22, 2004
For all of his life, Edmund Tepper has loved and immersed himself in Native American culture. His mother was part Oglala Sioux and his father was of German descent, so Tepper felt comfortable in both the Native American culture and what he calls the “white man’s world.”
The spry 88-year-old Ventura resident has not only embraced his South Dakota Sioux heritage and learned the Lakota language, but he has also become an Indian historian, educator and storyteller. He has spent many years of his life teaching others about the olds ways of many Native American tribes.
For as long as Tepper can remember, he’s also collected Indian artifacts, books and memorabilia, including scores of antique pieces of clothing and weapons worn and used by Native Americans across the United States hundreds of years ago. He wrote and illustrated a book of short stories called “Legends of Plains Indian Children” for his and his wife’s grandchildren.