I searched the website of the U.S.
Department of the Interior Indian Affairs. This website was extremely
enlightening and informative. It provides in-depth answers to frequently asked
questions about the history and the current state of the Native American
tribes. For instance, it discusses the term sovereignty and how it is applied
to Native Americans; in addition, it clarifies the present relationship between
the tribes and United States.
I had several questions that were
answered by this website. For example, when was the last year that the Native
Americans and the United States government signed a peace treaty? What are the
powers of the tribal self-government?
The last treaty took place in the
year 1871. From the first treaty up until 1871, the Senate ratified 370
treaties![i]
Even if a tribe does not have a treaty with the United States, its
members may still receive services from federal programs, if qualified.[ii]
In the year 1924, American Indians and Alaska Natives were granted
citizenship; in 1965, their voting rights were strengthened.[iii]
(This is a picture of Native Americans voting in the 1960’s).[iv]
Currently, there
are 566 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The United States government
acknowledges that federally recognized tribes have certain powers of
self-government – tribal sovereignty – and may receive particular benefits and
programs as a result of their relationship with the US government.[v] The association
linking federally recognized tribes and the United States is between sovereigns;
in other words, between a government and another government.[vi]
Historically, tribes received federally recognition status
through treaties, acts of Congress, and court decisions.[vii] However, if a tribe was “terminated” by Congress, then only
Congress has the authority to restore the tribe’s recognition status (rather
than via treaties and court decisions). Tribal sovereignty guarantees
that any decisions about the tribes with regard to their property and other
important matters are made with their involvement and approval.[viii]
The website also discusses the
history of the BIA, which is a federal agency that preserves the relationship
between federally recognized tribes and the United States government. In addition,
it encourages and supports tribal self-determination. It was in the year 1824
that the BIA was established. The name Bureau of Indian Affairs was
introduced in 1947. Since 1824 there have been 45 Commissioners of Indian Affairs;
only six of them were Native Americans.[ix] The BIA has done much to promote a great relationship between the sovereign
tribes and the United States government. For instance, the BIA ensured that the
Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 was ratified: this act granted the Native
Americans U.S. citizenship and the right to vote.[x]
In addition, after the passage of landmark legislation, such as the Indian
Self-Determination and the Education Assistance Act of 1975, the BIA embodied trust
between the Native Americans tribes and the U.S. government.[xi]
(This is Benjamin Reifel who
was a commissioner from 1976-1977. His mother was from the Brule Lakota tribe).[xii]
I am entirely satisfied that I read
the contents of the website U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs.
I learned a lot of new information in regards to the past and current status of
the Native Americans, as well as the relationship between the tribes and the
United States government. It was also fantastic to read the history of the BIA.
Work Cited:
[i] U.S.
Department of the Interior Indian Affairs, “Frequently Asked Questions,”
http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/index.htm
(accessed November 11, 2013).
[ii]
Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/01/648948/-Why-we-stand-in-line-to-vote-a-historical-photo-essay#
(accessed November 11, 2013).
[v] U.S.
Department of the Interior Indian Affairs, “Frequently Asked Questions,”
http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/index.htm
(accessed November 11, 2013).
[vi] Ibid.
[vii]
Ibid.
[viii]
Ibid.
[ix] Ibid.
[x] Ibid.
[xi]
Ibid.
[xii] The
Weekly South Dakotan, “Benjamin Reifel,” http://www.sd4history.com/Unit9/benreifel.htm
(accessed November 11, 2013).
Wow- I was shocked to read what you shared about Congress having the authority to simply 'terminate' a tribe. The resultant issue of reinstatement requiring another act of Congress is even more frightening to contemplate, particularly in today's political climate. I sincerely hope that this situation does not affect many people!
ReplyDeleteVery good post. Kris, it does impact certain groups, specifically through its psychological stronghold on tribal actions.
ReplyDeleteFraidy,
ReplyDeleteI also researched this website. I was intrigued by the Bureau of Indian Education. I never realized how big their education system actually was. "There have been three major legislative actions that restructured the Bureau of Indian Affairs with regard to education since the Snyder Act of 1921. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 introduced the teaching of Indian history and culture in BIA schools, which contrasted with the federal policy at the time of acculturating and assimilating Indian people through the BIA boarding school system. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 90-638) gave authority to the tribes to contract with the BIA for the operation of local schools and to determine education programs suitable for their children. The Education Amendments Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-561) and further technical amendments (P.L. 98-511, 99-89, and 100-297) provided funds directly to tribal schools, empowered Indian school boards, permitted local hiring of teachers and staff, and established a direct line of authority between the OIEP Director and the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs" (bia,gov). This site has soooo much information on it! I loved it.
Reference:
Frequently Asked Questions. (November 22, 2013). US Department of the Interior Indian Affairs. BIA. Retrieved on November 23,2013 from http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/index.htm.
Hi Fraidy,
ReplyDeleteI have also research US Department of the Interior Indian Affair and have to say that it is great source of information. Also other websites that are available to us bring sort of knowledge. They brighten picture of whole point of having this class. We learn a lot but these sources are just proof that Native Americans simply are adapting to their new lives but at the same time they carry tradition and culture forward.
Michael Smith, founder of American Indian Film Festival said: “Indian People’s greatest power lies in our ability to tell our own stories, using our own words, our own images. It is in this telling that our cultures are reaffirmed, our nations restored, our world renewed.”[I]
American Indians in current time are holding many jobs just like white people do. Many of them are writers, some work in film industry, some are journalists or some work for radio stations. These are only few examples of how well Indians adapted to our world keeping their culture alive at the same time.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy said:
“For a subject worked and reworked so often in novels, motion pictures,
and television, American Indians are the least understood and the most
misunderstood of us all.”
Great post Fraidy
[I] http://festival.aifisf.com/