Usher Burdick Papers

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  American Indian Plank for Republican and Democrat National Conventions, Undated

  American Indian Plank

  This undated document is a "American Indian" plank for an unspecified political party to be presented at the Republican and Democratic national conventions. The plank supports a Claims Commission comprising three president-appointed members, at least one of whom must have at least 50% "Indian blood." This proposed Commission would hear all claims of any tribe or band, and its findings be conclusive.

  See also:

  Statement by Representative Burdick on Indian Claims, Undated

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  Letter from Mrs. Richard C. Andrews to Representative Burdick Regarding Reservoir Name

  Mrs. Richard C. Andrews

  This undated letter from Mrs. Richard C. Andrews to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick urges Burdick to support the proposed legislation to name the Garrison Dam reservoir "Lake Sakakawea." Andrews notes she is writing as a representative of the "Ladies Aides of the Congregational Churches of Dawson, Tappen, Weiser Township, and Pettibone, North Dakota." Andrews further asserts that naming the reservoir after Sakakawea will strengthen the morale of the "first Americans" who have been "unjustly treated," and she closes by proposing the new name will make North Dakota more appealing to tourists.

  There are some handwritten notations, likely from Burdick's office, on the letter, one of which is the date "3/26," but it is unclear what this date refers to.

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  Statement by the Association for the Advancement of American Indians, Undated

  Association for the Advancement of American Indians

  This undated Statement by the Association for the Advancement of American Indians describes the purpose of the organization. The statement says that American Indians have been wards of the United States (US) government for too long and that it is the goal of the group to educate Natives on their relation to the world.

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  Bill Draft on Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated and unsigned draft bill concerns United States (US) Public Law 534 of the 78th Congress, Chapter 665, Second Session (HR 4485), "Act Authorizing the Construction of Certain Public Works on Rivers and Harbors for Flood Control and Other Purposes." This draft bill is for an amendment to the previously mentioned US HR 4485. The bill includes a paragraph to be added related to the Missouri River Basin that would mandate an operating pool level no greater than 17 million acre feet of water.

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  Draft of a Bill to Establish the Procedure for Taking of Indian Lands and Rights for the Missouri River Development Projects; to Protect Indian Tribal and Personal Rights; to Provide for the Rehabilitation and to Secure the Economic Independence of said Indians, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated document is a draft of a bill to establish a procedure for the taking of "Indian lands." This draft bears considerable similarity to US Public Law 81-437, which came to be known as the "Taking Act." It identifies procedures and mechanisms by which the Tribes are to be compensated for lands and mineral rights, along with the costs for relocating residents, cemeteries, monuments, and shrines.

  The bill draft also includes provisions for land appraisal and adjudication in the event an appraisal is rejected by a tribal member.

  See Also:

  Tribal Land Program

  An Act to Vest Title to Certain Lands of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, in the United States, and to Provide Compensation Therefor

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  Handwritten Note Filed with Burdick's Papers, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated handwritten note was filed in one of two folders labeled "Fort Berthold Indians" in US Senator Usher Burdick's files. Almost all of the items in the folder with it were from the 1950s.

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  Indians Near and Around Fort Yates, North Dakota, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated document contains a list of name of tribal members near and around Fort Yates, North Dakota. Each person's name is followed by a brief description of where their residence is. Document is annotated with check marks and circles.

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  List of Items Related to Needs of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated list was filed in one of two folders labeled "Fort Berthold Indians" in US Representative Usher Burdick's files. Almost all of the items in the folder with it were from the 1950s. The items on the list all relate to the needs of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. A handwritten note on the list adds, "S. 3311" referring to US Senate Bill 3311.

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  Newspaper Clipping on Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated newspaper clipping concerns the pool level of the Garrison Dam. The clipping states that a United States (US) Senate subcommittee has recommended a pool level of 1,850. The clipping also notes that the subcommittee has recommended that cut funds be restored to this end.

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  Notes on the Garrison Dam, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated, unsigned document is a set of handwritten notes regarding Garrison Dam. There are additional handwritten notes at the top of the document.

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  Speech Draft on Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated speech draft by an unknown author concerns the taking of lands related to the pool level of the Garrison Dam. The speech outlines the ways in which the US Fifth Amendment provides protections for private property and argues that the US Army Engineers would be in violation of these laws if they expand the Garrison Dam pool beyond the agreed upon 17 million acre feet. There are two handwritten notes at the bottom of the speech.

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  The Meaning of the Sioux Pictograph History Concerning a Period of 188 Years Displayed on a Cloth Background with Sioux Picture Characters in Color, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated document contains descriptions and explanations of forty-two individual pictographs.

  See Also:

  Letter from Usher Burdick to Eugene Burdick Regarding Sioux Drawings, May 16, 1949

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  Correspondences Between Laura Knudson and C.J. Barry Regarding Sale of Land on the Fort Berthold Reservation, September 1, 1955

  C. J. Barry and Laura Page Knudson

  These correspondences, dated September 1 and September 2, 1955 between C. J. Barry and Laura Page Knudson from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick's office concern the sale of tribal land to non-tribal members. Barry requests that the matter be looked into or delayed as tribal members received very little notice of the sale. Knudson replies that the intended sale was listed in New Town news over a month ago, so the tribal members had plenty of notice. A news clipping entitled "Ft. Berthold Agency Sale of Noncompetent Indian Lands" was included with these correspondences.

  See also:

  Letter from Ralph M. Galt to Representative Burdick Urging Burdick to Help the Three Affiliated Tribes Buy Their Land Recently Put up for Sale, September 29, 1955

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  Letter from Bear, et al to Representative Burdick Regarding Property Laws, Undated

  Joe B. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson

  This undated resolution signed by Joe B. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson concerns property issues related to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. The resolution states that the members of the Fort Berthold Americans Inc. do not agree with a law which would regard native property as a collective movement that denies property ownership.

  See also:

  Letter from Adlai Stevenson to Representative Burdick Regarding Lemke Bill, April 3, 1944

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  Resolution by Board of County Commissioners of Foster County Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated

  Board of County Commissioners Foster County North Dakota

  This undated resolution issued by the Board of County Commissioners of Foster County, North Dakota, concerns the operating pool level of Garrison Dam. The resolution states the board's support of a pool level of 1,850 feet and calls for withdrawal of any restrictions preventing this pool level. The language in this resolution closely resembles the language used in several resolutions regarding Garrison Dam's pool level sent to Burdick in 1955. These other resolutions can also be found in this collection.

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  Resolution by Board of County Commissioners of McLean County Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated

  Board of County Commissioners McLean County, North Dakota; Blonigen; and Everson

  This undated resolution issued by the Board of County Commissioners of McLean County, North Dakota, concerns the operating pool level of Garrison Dam. The resolution states the board's support of a pool level of 1,850 feet and calls for withdrawal of any restrictions preventing this pool level. The language in this resolution closely resembles the language used in several resolutions regarding Garrison Dam's pool level sent to Burdick in 1955. These other resolutions can also be found in this collection.

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  Draft of Public Statement by Representative Burdick Regarding Indian Coal, Undated

  Usher Burdick

  This undated public statement from the office of United States Representative Usher L. Burdick, discusses the possibility of giving some of the stockpile of coal in the Garrison Dam area of North Dakota to the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs for distribution to reservations so that "Freezing Indians" can use it. This is draft has many handwritten notes and emendations.

  See Also:

  Public Statement by Representative Burdick Regarding Indian Coal, February 8, 1951

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  Draft of Statement by Representative Burdick on Distribution of Potatoes to North Dakota Indians, January 22

  Usher Burdick

  This draft of a press release dated January 22 (year unknown), by United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick, announces the distribution of potatoes and other food commodities to indigenous peoples in North Dakota. Burdick notes the various places that surplus food has been delivered in North Dakota and the reluctance that the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. has had about the release of these commodities. Burdick questions the logic being employed by others that it is better to use the potatoes to feed cattle. Burdick closes the statement by pointing out the dramatic cuts to welfare payments on reservations, which he notes will increase the need for more food commodities to be disbursed. There are several handwritten emendations on this draft.

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  Drafts of Resolution by Representative Burdick Regarding Pool Level of Garrison Dam Reservoir, Undated

  Usher Burdick

  This undated document, presumably by United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick, appears to consist of two drafts of a resolution intended to be introduced in the United States (US) House of Representatives during the first session of the 84th Congress, by Burdick.

  The resolution begins with the complaint that the US Corp of Army Engineers, acting on its own and in violation of several stipulations of the original act authorizing the construction of the Garrison Dam, has decided to increase the water pool area by 6,000,000 acre-feet and the raise the surface height of the pool by twenty feet. This has necessitated the construction of dikes that were not part of the authorized project, and led to the Corps' acquisition of additional land around the reservoir, using tactics that deprive the owners of their constitutional right to due process.

  Given these complaints, the resolution proposes that all appropriations for further construction of the Garrison Dam be halted until a committee appointed by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives has investigated these complaints and presented their report before July 1, 1955.

  On the upper left hand of the first page of this draft, the word "Hold" is handwritten.

  On the draft that consists of sections of printed matter stapled to the "H. Res." form, the text of the printed sections is identical to the text of US House of Representatives Resolution 210 of the 83d Congress, 1st Session, which was submitted on April 20 of 1953 and referred to the US House Committee on Rules.

  See also:

  Excerpt from Congressional Record Regarding Amendment Proposed by Representative Burdick to Reduce Appropriation to Corps of Army Engineers, May 27, 1953

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Walter Burk Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, August 10, 1954

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated August 10, 1954, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to attorney Walter Burk consists of a brief cover note by Burdick explaining that an enclosed letter from E. C. Itschner, Assistant Chief of Engineers for Civil Works, US Department of the Army was requested several days prior, and had only just arrived.

  In the attached letter, Itschner estimates that the total loss in annual benefits from operating the dam at a pool level of 1,840 feet instead of 1,850 would amount to $1,589,000.

  See also:

  Letter from Walter Burk to Laura Page Knudson Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, August 2, 1954

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  Speech Draft by Representative Burdick Regarding Garrison Dam and Fort Berthold

  Usher Burdick

  This undated speech draft, by United States House Representative Usher Burdick, addresses issues surrounding the building of Garrison Dam and the proposed higher pool level. Burdick contends that the higher pool level is not legal, and he notes that the flood control will be of no benefit to the Upper Missouri River Valley, where the damage from the Garrison Dam will affect North Dakota people and cities. Burdick then speaks to the problems the dam will cause for the tribal members of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Burdick asserts that the higher pool level will result in about forty percent of the land on the reservation being lost or rendered unusable. He contextualizes this against the fact that the tribal members of this reservation also lost over twelve million acres of their ancestral lands through the treaty that created the reservation. Burdick spends the remainder of the speech contesting the supposed benefits of the higher pool level and objecting to additional expenditures by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

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  Speech Draft "Shall the American Indian Remain in Bondage?" by Representative Burdick, Undated

  Usher Burdick

  This undated draft of a speech written by United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick and titled "Shall the American Indian Remain in Bondage?" concerns public perceptions of the indigenous tribes in the US.

  In the speech Burdick notes that there are two general opinions regarding indigenous peoples, one of which is that they are part of a historical, romantic way of living that is separate from present civilization, a stance he says destroys the present indigenous peoples by trying to "civilize" them. The second general opinion is that indigenous peoples are a part of present US civilization and that going back to the past is impossible.

  According to the speech, within the Indian Bureau there are those who desire to perpetuate the "Indian of History" view by making indigenous peoples subservient to the US government. The draft concludes with a reference to a letter by a "descendant of the war-like Sioux" as proof that these peoples are capable of managing their own affairs. The text of this letter is not included with this draft.

  While this draft is undated, a later version in this collection is dated June 8, 1939.

  See also:

  Speech "Shall the American Indian Remain in Bondage?" by Representative Burdick, June 8, 1939

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  Statement by Representative Burdick on Indian Claims, Undated

  Usher Burdick

  This undated statement by United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick concerns "Indian claims." Burdick writes that indigenous populations have just claims against the US government for millions of dollars as a result of treaties, citing examples of specific treaties including the 1868 treaty with the "Sioux at Fort Rice" and General Custer's 1874 violation of this treaty. He makes reference to planks he proposed for settling of all Indian claims that were adopted in part or fully by both the Republicans and Democrats and laments that neither party has redeemed their pledges.

  See also:

  American Indian Plank for Republican and Democrat National Conventions, Undated

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  Comments by Representative Burdick Regarding the Hoover Commission, June 15, 1949

  Usher L. Burdick

  This document by United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick, dated June 15 (year not given, though likely 1949 based on the references to the Hoover Commission and similar statements made by Burdick during that year on Congress), titled “Congressman Usher L. Burdick Comments:- Report of the Hoover Commission Strikes a Snag,” expresses Burdick's views that "the Corps of Army Engineers is supported in Congress by a powerful lobby." Burdick writes that in the construction of the Garrison Dam in North Dakota “the Army Engineers paid no attention to the law creating the dam,” adding that they are “intrenched (sic) in civil functions deeper than I first thought.” He concludes with the assessment that the Army Engineers' lobby is strong enough to determine any legislation that applies to them, and warns that "unlimited power during war times has had the effect of building in this country a military dictatorship which is going to be difficult to stop."

  This document is marked with the handwritten annotation “Hoover Report.”

  See also: Excerpt from Congressional Record: "Army Engineers Exceeding Their Authority in Garrison Land Purchases," Speech by Representative Burdick, March 24, 1949

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  Draft of Bill For the Relief of Certain Owners of Buildings and Other Improvements on Land Situated in Sanish and Van Hook, North Dakota, Which Will Be Inundated by the Creation of the Garrison Reservoir, Undated

  Usher L. Burdick

  This document, which is undated, is a draft of bill to be introduced in the United States (US) House of Representatives during the first session of the 83rd Congress by US Representative Usher Burdick.

  The draft sets out to authorize, and directs the US Treasury to pay, a sum of $501,500 to the Sanish-Van Hook Elevator and Indian Lots Committee of Sanish, North Dakota, who would equitably distribute the funds among "owners of buildings and other improvements on lands to the extent that such owners have incurred, or shall incur, losses of or damages to such buildings and other improvements by reason of the creation of the Garrison Reservoir, Missouri River Basin, North Dakota, and the inundation of land in Sanish and Van Hook, North Dakota."

  The draft also sets out the conditions and some restrictions regarding the distribution of these funds.