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Description
This statement dated December 19, 1943, by Fort Berthold Tribal Business Council Chairman Carl Sylvester, addresses the proposed flooding of Fort Berthold Reservation lands by the Garrison Dam. This statement was preserved in a transcript by J. I. Rovig, the secretary for the North Dakota Reclamation Association. Sylvester states that "the Fort Berthold Indians oppose flooding their land by any construction that will impound waters to inundate the lower levels of the Reservation area." Sylvester notes that the flood will cause the loss of timber, coal, grazing and farming lands, bridges, schools, a church, burial grounds. Sylvester asserts that no amount of payment can make up for the loss the Garrison Dam flooding will inflict. Sylvester recounts the Mandan and Hidatsa's long history on the land and all the traditional resources they will lose access to if forced to relocate. In closing, Sylvester notes that the Three Affiliated Tribes will continue to fight the flooding of the Reservation.
Date of Work
12-19-1943
Keywords
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, Elbowoods, flood relief, flooding, flood protections, Garrison Dam, Garrison Reservoir, Garrison Diversion, land program, Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council, Tribal Council, Tribal Business Council, pool level, pool height, water height, water level, flood height, flood level, land taking, taking, land seizure, land purchase, lieu lands
Organizations Referenced
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, North Dakota Reclamation Association,
People Referenced
Carl Sylvester, J. I. Rovig
Recommended Citation
Sylvester, Carl, "Statement by Carl Sylvester Regarding the Flooding of Fort Berthold Reservation Lands for the Garrison Dam, December 19, 1943" (1943). Usher Burdick Papers. 408.
https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/408