Usher Burdick Papers

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mrs. Albert N. Winge Regarding Non-Payment of Land Rentals to County, January 24, 1951

  Usher L. Burdick

  This letter dated January 24, 1951 from United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick to Mrs. Albert N. Winge of Van Hook, North Dakota, responds to her letter of January 18, 1951, regarding rent money for land from the Garrison Dam project not being returned to the county and causing problems for school funding. Burdick gives Winge the address of the regional office of the US Bureau of Land Reclamation in Billings, Montana, who, he explains, has jurisdiction over the Garrison Dam area.

  Burdick also mentions his opposition to the drafting of essential farm workers, and expresses his hope that her son will be included in the group of Farmer's Union people Burdick will be meeting with the following Tuesday.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mrs. A. N. Winge Regarding Inadequate Rental Payments, January 31, 1951

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mrs. Albert Winge Regarding Garrison Dam, January 24, 1951

  Usher L. Burdick

  This letter, dated January 24, 1951, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Mrs. Albert N. Winge acknowledges her letter of January 18 and states that Burdick is looking into the "Garrison Dam problem" mentioned in that letter, which is not available in this collection. The letter goes on to state that Burdick looks forward to the arrival of Winge's son, Ralph, who will be arriving with the Farmers Union delegation. The letter concludes by stating that Burdick has not received the newspaper clippings mentioned by Winge.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mrs. A. N. Winge Regarding Inadequate Rental Payments, January 31, 1951

  Usher L. Burdick

  This letter dated January 31, 1951 from United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick to Mrs. A. N. Winge of Van Hook, North Dakota, makes reference to recent communication from Winge and asks for specific examples of the kind of misrepresentation or inadequate rental payments she is referring to.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mrs. Albert N. Winge Regarding Non-Payment of Land Rentals to County, January 24, 1951

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  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Bringing a List of Items to Burdick's Attention, January 23, 1951

  Martin Cross

  This letter, dated January 23, 1951, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick provides a list of items for Burdick to consider. The items relate to the needs of the Three Affiliated Tribes that Cross wishes to address as chairperson.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Responding to Cross's January 23 Letter Bringing Items to Burdick's Attention, January 30, 1951

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  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Regarding a Trip to Washington to Meet with Indian Bureau, May 17, 1951

  Martin Cross

  This letter, dated May 17, 1951, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator Usher Burdick informs Burdick that the Secretary of the Interior approved the tribal resolution of April 13, 1951 and Cross is headed to Washington, D.C. to work with the tribal lawyer on the legal interpretation the resolution. There are some handwritten notes on the letter.

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Forwarding a Resolution Passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council, and Expressing Concern over Withdrawal of Government Assistance, April 25, 1951

  Telegram from Justin Spotted Bear to Representative Burdick Regarding Delegates Sent to Washington, D.C., May 14, 1951

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  Telegram from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Regarding US Public Law 843, December 29, 1951

  Martin Cross

  This telegram, dated December 29, 1951, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick requests Burdick's opinion on US Public Law 843 and also inquires about the reintroduction of US House Resolution 8411 (H.R. 8411).

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Responding to Cross's December 29 Telegram, December 31, 1951

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  Letter from James E. Curry to Representative Burdick Regarding US House Resolution 4635, July 8, 1951

  James E. Curry

  This letter, dated July 8, 1951, from James E. Curry, attorney for the Three Affiliated Tribes, to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick discusses a preliminary hearing for US House Resolution 4635 (H.R. 4635) the time of which Burdick was not notified of. Curry informs Burdick that another hearing will be held and that he hopes Burdick will attend and represent his constituents. Curry encloses a statement from Martin Cross which was delivered at the hearing that Burdick was unable to attend. The statement is enclosed with this document.

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  Report Concerning Tribal Delegation to Washington, December 16-22 from James E. Curry to Representative Burdick, December 23, 1951

  James E. Curry

  This report, dated December 23, 1951, sent from Three Affiliated Tribes attorney James E. Curry to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick, is a summary of conferences and other activities from a recent trip to Washington, D.C. by a delegation from the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Forth Berthold Reservation. The enclosed report is addressed to the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council. The delegation was in Washington, D.C. from December 16-22. The report is preceded by a memo from Curry to Burdick, dated December 24, 1951.

  The report is broken down into sections labeled: General; Oil Revenue Rights--General; Oil Rights in the Allotments Made Under the Act of 1920; Oil Revenue from School Lands; Oil Revenue from Lands Reserved for Agency, School, and Religious Purposes; Oil Revenues from 'Fourteen Townships'; Possible Additional Oil Leases; Personnel Matters; Claims; Technical Amendment to the Tribal Constitution; Delegation of Power to Acquire Land; General Constitutional Amendments; Enrollment; Land Acquisition; Relocation; National Congress of American Indians; Ford Foundation; Per Capita Payments; Voluntary Withdrawal; Timber, and Funds.

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  Letter from Thomas Curtis to Representative Burdick Enclosing an Article Regarding the Inundation of the Fort Berthold Reservation due to Construction of the Garrison Dam, Asking for Burdick's Views on the Matter, June 22, 1951

  Thomas B. Curtis

  This letter, dated June 22, 1951, from United States (US) Representative Thomas Curtis to US Representative Usher Burdick includes an enclosed article entitled "Inundation and the Indians: The present and future plans for the Fort Berthold Reservation Indian Mission are explained" which was sent to Curtis by one of Curtis's constituents. Curtis says that he respects Burdick's views and would like some information on the matter. The article is included with this document.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Thomas Curtis Responding to Curtis's Request for Burdick's Views on the Inundation of the Fort Berthold Reservation due to Construction of the Garrison Dam, June 25, 1951

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  Letter from Laura Page Knudson for Representative Burdick to Emma L. Jones Regarding Land Payment, December 3, 1951

  Laura Page Knudson

  This letter dated December 3, 1951 from Laura Page Knudson on behalf of United States (US) Usher Burdick to Emma L. Jones acknowledges receipt of her letter regarding land payments, and pledges to take up the matter with the proper agencies and report back to Jones when she has more information.

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  Letter from Bigelow Neal to Representative Burdick Regarding Land Acquisition, July 20, 1951

  Bigelow Neal

  This letter dated July 20, 1951 from Bigelow Neal to United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick discusses farmers' demands regarding the land acquisition project and other miscellaneous topics.

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  Letter from Al N. Nelson to Representative Burdick Regarding Land Value Estimations, May 12, 1951

  Al N. Nelson

  This letter dated May 12, 1951 from Secretary of the Sanish-Van Hook Elevator and Indian Lots Committee Al N. Nelson to United States (US) Representative Usher L, Burdick updates Burdick regarding the committee's estimated value for land situated on Indian Lots and Grain Elevators situated on leased Railway sites in the Villages of Sanish and Van Hook. There is a handwritten annotation reading "Rec 5/18/51 by DBC buildings all have to be flooded by Garrison Dam."

  See also:

  Letter from Sanish-Van Hook Elevator and Indian Lots Committee to Representative Burdick Regarding Land Values, May 10, 1951

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  Letter from Office of Representative Burdick to Ralph M. Shane Regarding Reservoir Name, October 23, 1951

  Office of Representative Burdick

  This letter dated October 23, 1951, from the Office of United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Ralph M. Shane, acknowledges receipt of Shane's letter objecting to naming the Garrison reservoir "Lake Thompson." Burdick's assistant notes that Burdick is traveling to North Dakota and that the bill that would name the reservoir Lake Thompson has been tabled due to Burdick's intervention. The letter closes with an affirmation of Burdick's support for giving the reservoir an "Indian name."

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  Letter from Office of Representative Burdick to W. E. Potter Regarding Relocation and Utilities, January 23, 1951

  Office of Representative Burdick

  This letter dated January 23, 1951, from the Office of United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to W. E. Potter, addresses the relocation of towns due to the building of Garrison Dam and resulting issues with public utilities. Burdick notes he is enclosing a copy of a letter sent to Colonel F. H. Albrecht that was also sent to five members of the United States Congress. The enclosed letter was not found with this letter in Burdick's papers.

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  Letter from W. A. Pike to Representative Burdick Regarding Relocation of Sanish and Van Hook Cemeteries, April 17, 1951

  W. A. Pike

  This letter dated April 17, 1951, from W. A. Pike to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick, details Pike's prior experience with relocating cemeteries and inquires about the relocation of the Sanish and Van Hook cemeteries. Pike expresses interest in taking on this relocation job.

  See Also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to W. A. Pike Regarding Relocation of Sanish and Van Hook Cemeteries, April 20, 1951

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  Report of the Second Meeting of the Fort Berthold Inter-Agency Committee, December 7, 1951

  R. W. Quinn

  This report of the of the second meeting of the Fort Berthold Inter-Agency committee, dated December 7, 1951, was recorded by Secretary of the Committee R. W. Quinn. The focus of the meeting was discussion of the Fort Berthold Medical Program. The report includes some question and answer sections as well as some statements and discussion by meeting attendees. The last page of the report is a list of names, presumably of those who attended the meeting.

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  Letter from Sanish-Van Hook Elevator and Indian Lots Committee to Representative Burdick Regarding Land Values, May 10, 1951

  Sanish Van Hook Elevator and Indian Lots Committee

  This letter dated May 10, 1951 from the Sanish Van Hook Elevator Committee to United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick details the committee's estimation of land values and costs associated with moving buildings to a new location due to the impending inundation of the current sites by the Garrison Dam reservoir.

  See also:

  Letter from Al N. Nelson to Representative Burdick Regarding Land Value Estimations, May 12, 1951.

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  Telegram from Justin Spotted Bear to Representative Burdick Regarding Delegates Sent to Washington, D.C., May 14, 1951

  Justin Spotted Bear

  This telegram, dated May 14, 1951, from Three Affiliate Tribes member Justin Spotted Bear to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick informs Burdick that Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross is going to Washington, D.C. and Spotted Bear is not sure why. He and his group are sending Oscar Burr and Martin Fox to represent the Mandan tribe. Spotted Bear asks that Burdick hold the council until these delegates arrive.

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Regarding a Trip to Washington to Meet with Indian Bureau, May 17, 1951

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  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Forwarding a Resolution Passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council, and Expressing Concern over Withdrawal of Government Assistance, April 25, 1951

  Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council and Martin Cross

  This letter dated April 25, 1951 from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council Chairman Martin Cross to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick refers to an enclosed copy of a Tribal Business Council Resolution.

  The enclosed resolution, adopted on April 13, 1951 deals with the manner of distribution of funds awarded to the tribes by Public Law 437, which authorized the taking of land on the Fort Berthold Reservation for construction of the Garrison Dam.

  The resolution is signed by council secretary George Gillette.

  In his cover letter, Cross also informs Burdick that some tribal members are concerned that the US government will stop providing assistance through the US Bureau of Indian Affairs if they receive per capita payments via US Public Law 437.

  There are some handwritten notes on the letter.

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Enclosing Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Regarding Allocation of Funds from the Taking of their Land, April 25, 1951

  Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Regarding Allocation of Funds to the Credit of the Tribe for the Taking of their Land, Adopted April 13, 1951

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Responding to Cross's Inquiry About Government Assistance Withdrawal, May 3, 1951

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  Chieftain Says Indians Under Dictatorship, April 28, 1951.

  Unknown

  This newspaper article, published in Watertown on April 28, 1951, reports the statements of Mrs. Josephine Kelly of Fort Yates, North Dakota, a mother of three sons serving in the armed forces and called "a chieftain of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe" by the reporter. Kelly protested "the old military-style governance and line system" that Indian Commissioner Dillon S. Myer was attempting to "install." The article also details a dispute involving "the Standing Rock Sioux and 13 associated tribes of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana," who sought to hire attorney James E. Curry to negotiate federal compensation for lands flooded by the construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River.

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  Indian Independence and Advocates Ending Segregation of Tribal Life, March 3, 1951.

  Unknown

  This newspaper article, published on March 1, 1951, by the Selfridge (N.D.) Journal and circulated by the “Western Press Clipping Exchange” in Minneapolis, reports on the work of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission. Established by the 1949 state legislature, the commission conducted a two-year study to gather data, which concluded that assimilation of Native people into broader American society, socially, culturally, and economically, should be the ultimate goal, and it emphasized that the Indians “want their children to be actual, not just legal Americans.”

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  Indians Under Dictatorship, N.D. Mother of 3 GIs Says, April 28, 1951 (Minot Daily).

  Unknown

  This newspaper article, published in the Minot Daily on April 28, 1951, reports the statements of Mrs. Josephine Kelly of Fort Yates, North Dakota, a mother of three sons serving in the armed forces and called "a chieftain of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe" by the reporter. Kelly protested "the old military-style governance and line system" that Indian Commissioner Dillon S. Myer was attempting to "install." The article also details a dispute involving "the Standing Rock Sioux and 13 associated tribes of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana," who sought to hire attorney James E. Curry to negotiate federal compensation for lands flooded by the construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River.

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  Indians Under Dictatorship, N.D. Mother of 3 Gls Says, April 28, 1951 (Minneapolis Star).

  Unknown

  This newspaper article, published in the Minneapolis Star on April 28, 1951, reports the statements of Mrs. Josephine Kelly of Fort Yates, North Dakota, a mother of three sons serving in the armed forces and called "a chieftain of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe" by the reporter. Kelly protested "the old military-style governance and line system" that Indian Commissioner Dillon S. Myer was attempting to "install." The article also details a dispute involving "the Standing Rock Sioux and 13 associated tribes of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana," who sought to hire attorney James E. Curry to negotiate federal compensation for lands flooded by the construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River.

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  Settlement of Indian Estates Tedious Job, March 22, 1951.

  Unknown

  This newspaper article, published on March 22, 1951, circulated by the “Western Press Clipping Exchange” in Minneapolis, explains the complex legal and administrative challenges of settling Native American estates in North Dakota. The article highlights how ownership became so divided that individuals now inherit fractions as small as 4/2,835 of a property, and the complications that arise when heirs die before estates are settled, making probate a tedious and highly mathematical task.

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  Where We Fall Down, June 15, 1951.

  Unknown

  This editorial, published in the Hibbing (Minn.) Daily Tribune on June 15, 1951, criticizes the U.S. government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for failing to develop an effective and constructive Indian policy. The editorial argues that the bureau has been “worse than useless,” calling for genuine reform in Indian affairs management