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Description
This statement draft dated January 25, 1952, by United States House Representative Usher Burdick, addresses dissent among tribal members at the Fort Berthold Reservation about how the payments for the lands taken for the construction of Garrison Dam are being handled. Burdick notes that the plan was not voted on in a regular election and that many of the people who initially supported the resolution withdrew their support once they understood what it actually entailed. Burdick writes that a majority of tribal members have organized under their own leaders in opposition to the Tribal Business Council. Burdick cites the failure to retain mineral rights as one of the primary points of contention by those who object to the payment resolution. The objectors set up their own legal counsel, as regular counsel for Fort Berthold is working in support of the Tribal Business Council. In closing, Burdick acknowledges that the opposition has not received much support in Washington D.C. or from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs and that the legal action they are taking is in the interest of protecting the rights of the majority of tribal members.
There are many handwritten annotations and corrections on this draft.
Date of Work
1-25-1952
Keywords
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, mineral rights, land payments, land seizure, land taking, taking, Fort Berthold Tribal Business Council, Tribal Business Committee, Tribal Council, Garrison Dam, Garrison Diversion, Garrison Reservoir, oil rights, per capita payments, mineral rights
Organizations Referenced
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior,
People Referenced
Usher Burdick, Oscar Burr, Rufus Stevenson, Jim Black Dog, James Black Dog, Claude L. Dawson, "Dad" Dawson, Tom Busha, Percy Rush, Persey Rush,
Recommended Citation
Burdick, Usher, "Draft of Statement: "Fort Berthold Indians on the War Path," by Representative Burdick, January 25, 1952" (1952). Usher Burdick Papers. 451.
https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/451