US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations
As a federal depository, the Chester Fritz Library holds numerous government documents that relate to the Mandan, Arikara, and Hidatsa Nation. A selection of these documents have been digitized to provide a single location for access that does not require familiarity with SuDoc numbering to navigate.
The digitization of these papers has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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War Department Civil Appropriation Bill, 1948
United States Congress and US House of Representatives
This report from the United States (US) House Committee of Conference, dated July 26, 1947, was written to accompany US House Resolution 4002 which appropriated funds for the US War Department for fiscal year ending June 30, 1948. The report included an amendment pertaining to the relocation of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation due to the completion of the Garrison Dam flooding their homelands. The amendment states that the Three Affiliated Tribes may pursue legal action for additional damages incurred from the taking of their lands or for any treaty violations not adequately compensated for by the $5,105,625 settlement. US House Resolution 4002 became US Public Law 80-296 on July 31,1947.
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Per Capita Payment of $150 to the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, N. Dak.
United States Congress and US Senate
This report, dated July 24, 1947, also known as United States (US) Senate Report 748, recommends the passage of US Senate Bill 1113 with one amendment (Page 1, line 7, strike out the words "per capita" and insert in lieu thereof the following: "$150 per capita, out of").
See also:
An Act for the Relief of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota
An Act Providing for the per capita payment of certain moneys appropriated in settlement of certain claims of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota
Senate Bill 1113
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An Act for the Relief of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota
United States Congress
This act, approved June 28, 1946, also known as United States (US) Public Law 79-467, authorized the appropriation of $400,000, "in full and final settlement of all claims and demands of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota . . . which claims are based upon stipulations of an unratified treaty dated July 27, 1866 . . ." to be ". . .deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation and shall draw interest in accordance with existing laws. . ."
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An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1947, for Civil Functions Administered by the War Department, and for Other Purposes
United States Congress
This Public Law, dated May 2, 1946, also known as Public Law 79-374, or "War Department Civil Appropriations Act, 1947," includes appropriations for a variety of projects ranging from cemetery expenses to waterway maintenance to flood control.
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An Act to Create an Indian Claims Commission, to Provide for the Powers, Duties, and Functions Thereof, and for Other Purposes
United States Congress
This United States (US) Public Law, also known as US Public Law 79-726, passed on August 13, 1946 to establish the Indian Claims Commission. The Claims Commission, which operated from 1946 to 1978, served as an intermediary between Indigenous people in the United States and the US Court of Claims to help process the volume of claims filed against the United States for treaty violations and other grievances related to the conduct of the US government.
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An Act for the Relief of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota
United States Congress, US House of Representatives, US Senate, and Joseph C. Mahoney
This report, dated June 4, 1946, also known as US Senate Report 1413, refers to US House Resolution 1095, which was referred to the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on May 21, 1946, and reported out of that committee on June 4, 1946 by US Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney of Wyoming with no amendments.
US House Resolution 1095 was ultimately approved June 28, 1946, becoming United States (US) Public Law 79-467, authorizing the appropriation of $400,000, "in full and final settlement of all claims and demands of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota . . . which claims are based upon stipulations of an unratified treaty dated July 27, 1866 . . ." to be ". . .deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation and shall draw interest in accordance with existing laws. . ."
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Buildings on Reservation
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This undated photographic print depicts three buildings from an aerial view. The buildings are situated in an “L” shape around a large courtyard. There is snow on the ground. The builds are likely school buildings as they are the same buildings from another photo entitled “Present Lands: School Buildings #37” which is dated 11/1/1946. This photo, however, may have been taken before 1946 because it does not show fences, trees, and playground equipment that are present in the “School Buildings #37” photo.
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 4561525; Local Identifier: 75-FB-607.
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Lieu Lands: Church and School Near Ft. Clark, Area D #4
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts two buildings--one larger building in the foreground and a small building in the background. The terrain in the photo is grassy with some small hills to the left of the photo. There are no trees. In the foreground of the photo is a sign that reads, “Area D, No. 4.” The text under the photo reads, “Church & School Near Ft. Clark; Lieu Lands.” These are lieu lands assigned to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people before the relocation of Nishu, Elbowoods, and other reservation towns.
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640920; Local Identifier: 75-FB-224.
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Lieu Lands: Rural Church, Area C #1
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts a lone white church surrounded by fence. To the left of the church is a sign that reads in part “Fort Clara;” the rest of the sign is illegible. The church is situated on flat lands with a road in front of it. There are no trees in the photo. The text under the photo reads, “Rural Church; Lieu Lands.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640904; Local Identifier: 75-FB-216.
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Present Lands: Agency Hospital and Congregational Church #33
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts several buildings lining a road. The text at the bottom of the photo reads, “Agency Hospital & Congregational Church, Elbowoods, North Dakota, Present Lands.” The closest building in the photo is large and appears to be brick; it is likely the hospital. The farthest building appears to be the church. A sign next to the hospital reads, “No. 33.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection
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Present Lands: Elbowoods, ND
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
Photographic print dated, November 1, 1946, depicts the town of Elbowoods, North Dakota from an aerial view. The Missouri river can be seen to the right of the photograph with the town on the left, surrounded by farmland. The area pictured here was flooded upon completion of the Garrison Dam.
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640829; Local Identifier: 75-FB-180.
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Present Lands: Indian Council House #65
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts a one and one-half story structure. There is a large tree to the left of the structure (viewer’s right) and the area behind the structure appears to be heavily wooded. The trees appear mostly leafless and there are many leaves on the ground. In the foreground of the photo is a sign that reads, “No. 65.” The text under the photo reads, “Indian Council House; Present Lands.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640882; Local Identifier: 75-FB-205.
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Present Lands: Indian Homestead #4
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts two buildings in an otherwise open area. The building to the right appears to be a small house. The building to the right appears to be a low log cabin structure. There are tall shrubs behind the buildings but there are no trees in the photo. The text under the photo reads, “Indian Homestead; Present Lands.” In the foreground of the photo there’s a sign that reads, “No. 4.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640831; Local Identifier: 75-FB-181.
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Present Lands: Nishu Day School
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts a Nishu day school of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people before the relocation of Nishu, Elbowoods, and other reservation towns due to the construction of the Garrison Dam. The photo shows several buildings separated by fences. To the left appears to be 3-4 houses with sheds or storage buildings. To the far left in the distant background, there is a car. In the middle of the photo is a large building that appears to be the school. There may be an American flag flying out front. To the right of the photo is another house. In the foreground there are several children on a small stair that bridges a fence. In front of the fence, on the other side of a rode, is a sign that reads “No. 24.” The text under the photo reads, “Nishu Day School; Present Lands."
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640845; Local Identifier: 75-FB-188.
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Present Lands: Public Utilities #39, Elbowoods, ND
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print dated, November 1, 1946, depicts the town of Elbowoods, North Dakota. There are several buildings, some of which appear to be homes, lining a dirt road. Several power lines run along the street and there are two additional buildings in the background to the right of the photo. There are two trucks in the photo, one of which appears to be parked near a gas pump. There is a large water tower on the right side of the photo. In the foreground, to the right of the photo, is a sign that reads, “No. 39.” The text under the photo reads, “Public Utilities—Elbowoods, North Dakota; Present Lands.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640866; Local Identifier: 75-FB-198.
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Present Lands: School Building #37
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946 depicts school buildings of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people before relocation of Nishu, Elbowoods, and other reservation towns due to the construction of the Garrison Dam. This is a street view of three buildings situated in an “L” around a large courtyard. The courtyard contains some fencing, several small trees, and playground equipment. There are children playing on the equipment. There is one adult in the photo. There is a car parked in the background to the left of the photo. An American flag flies from the building on the far right. In the foreground on the right is a sign that reads, “No. 37.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 4561525; Local Identifier: 75-FB-197.
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Present Lands: Upland Pasture #44, Catholic Church and Mission in Elbowoods, ND
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts a church and a house on a dirt road. The church and house are inside a fenced area and are surrounded by many tall trees. The house has two stories and has a tall windmill next to it. In the foreground of the photo is a sign that reads, “No. 35.” The text under the photo reads, “Catholic Church & Mission—Elbowoods, North Dakota; Present Lands.”
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640862; Local Identifier: 75-FB-196.
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Present Lands: View of Elbowoods #32
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
Photographic print, dated November 1, 1946, depicts the town of Elbowoods, North Dakota from a ground view. In the foreground is a sign that says “No. 32.” The town is in the background. To the left is a barn on a side road. In the center and to the right are several houses and leafless trees. There is a road on the right side of the photograph. There are two water towers and power lines. The area pictured here was flooded upon completion of the Garrison Dam.
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 45640862; Local Identifier: 75-FB-196.
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Flood Control Act of 1946
US Conress
This act, also known as Public Law 79-526 or "An act authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, and for other purposes" dated July 24, 1946, does a number of things, including amending previous laws, appropriating funds, and authorizing projects related to flood control across the entire United States and territories. Specific to North Dakota among the many amendments included is one that authorizes the Chief of Engineers of the United States (US) Army to "enter into cooperative arrangements with local agencies for the operation of such Government facilities for the expansion of local facilities at Federal expense, and for contribution by the Federal Government to cover the increased cost to local agencies of providing the educational services required by the Government [at] the Garrison Reservoir, North Dakota."
Specific to North Dakota among the many flood control projects authorized is one at Mandan, North Dakota, on the Heart River.
See Also:
An Act Authorizing Construction of Certain Public Works on Rivers and Harbors for Flood Control, and for Other Purposes
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An Act Making Appropriations to Supply Deficiencies in Certain Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1946, and for Prior Fiscal Years, to Provide Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1946, and for Other Purposes
United States Congress
This United States (US) public law (US Public Law 79-269) supplemented deficiencies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946. This public law includes a section under “Flood Control” that specifies that the funds available for construction of the Garrison Reservoir Dam may not be spent on construction of the dam until the Secretary of the Interior finds lands “equal in quality and sufficient in area” for relocation and compensation of Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation.
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First Deficiency Appropriation Bill, 1946
United States Congress and US House of Representatives
This report from the United States (US) House Committee of Conference, dated December 20, 1945, was written to accompany US House Resolution 4805 which requested funds to supplement deficiencies from the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946. This report recommended an amendment to the resolution specifying that funds provided for the Garrison Reservoir Dam could not be spent on construction of the dam itself until the tribes were adequately provided for with lieu lands of equal quality and area. The report indicates, however, that funds could be spent on “certain preliminary features” of the reservoir project. US House Resolution 4805 became US Public Law 79-269 on December 28, 1945.
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An Act Authorizing Construction of Certain Public Works on Rivers and Harbors for Flood Control, and for Other Purposes
United States Congress
This United States public law, passed on December 22, 1944, also known as the Flood Control Act of 1944 or US Public Law 78-534, enacted the Pick-Sloan flood control plan for the Missouri River Basin. The Garrison Dam was part of the Pick-Sloan US plan. Completion of the Garrison Dam flooded the river bottom lands belonging to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. The majority of tribal members living on the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota were living on these river bottom lands prior to construction of the Garrison Dam.
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Missouri River Basin: Letter from the Secretary of War Transmitting a Letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, Dated December 31, 1943, Submitting a Report Together with Accompanying Papers and Illustrations, on a Review of Reports on the Missouri River, for Flood Control Along the Main Stem from Sioux City, Iowa, to the Mouth, Required by a Resolution of the Committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives, Adopted on May 13, 1943
United States Congress, US House of Representatives, and Lewis A. Pick
This letter submitted by the United States (US) Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, dated March 2, 1944, contains a recommendation report that presents a flood control plan for the Missouri River Basin along with correspondences regarding that report. The recommendation for flood control is known as the “Pick Plan” named after its author, Colonel Lewis A. Pick. The plan includes considerations for irrigation, recreation, navigation, wildlife, power, and municipal use. The Pick Plan eventually reached a compromise with a competing flood control plan known as the “Sloan Plan.” The “Pick-Sloan” plan became US public law on December 22, 1944 through the passing of the Flood Control Act of 1944, known formally as, “Authorizing Construction of Certain Public Works on Rivers and Harbors for Flood Control, and for Other Purposes” or US Public Law 78-534.
Correspondences contained in this document include those from the Office of the President, the US Bureau of the Budget, the US War Department, the US Department of the Interior, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the US Federal Power Commission, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. This document contains tables and maps.
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Missouri River Basin: Conservation, Control, and Use of Water Resources of the Missouri River Basin in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri (Report by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes on Bureau of Reclamation's Plan for Basin Development.)
United States Congress, US Senate, and William G. Sloan
This report by the United States (US) Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes on the US Bureau of Reclamation’s plan for Missouri Basin flood control and development dated May 5, 1944. The US Bureau of Reclamation had been studying the Missouri River basin for several years in order to create a comprehensive flood-control plan by 1945; however, the release of the “Pick Plan” in March of 1944 pushed the Bureau to release their plan early. At over 200 pages, this plan, also known as the “Sloan Plan” named for William G. Sloan who completed it, reflects the detailed study that went into its completion. The Sloan Plan eventually reached a compromise with the competing flood control plan known as the “Pick Plan.” The “Pick-Sloan” plan became US public law on December 22, 1944 through the passing of the Flood Control Act of 1944, known formally as, “Authorizing Construction of Certain Public Works on Rivers and Harbors for Flood Control, and for Other Purposes” or US Public Law 78-534.
In addition to the flood control plan, this report contains letters from the US Bureau of the Budget, the US Department of the interior, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Indian Affairs, the Chief of Engineers from the US War Department, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service commenting on the proposed flood control. This document contains tables and maps.
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Elbowoods 4-H Food Display
United States Department of the Interior and US Bureau of Indian Affairs
This photographic print, dated 1942, depicts an ample display of harvested fruits and vegetables lined up on shelves. On the top, center shelf are two small American flags with a sign that reads “Elbowoods” behind them. The shelves are decorated with 4-H clover leaves. The top shelves are lined with jarred canned goods. At the bottom of the display, on the floor, there are several large pumpkins and gourds. The jars and the different types of food displayed appear to have labels, but they are unreadable in the photograph.
Original print housed at the National Archives Catalogue in Kansas City, Missouri in the “Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs” group. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation are noted as “subjects represented” in the collection. National Archives identifier number: 285322; NAIL Control Number: NRE-75-FB(PHO)-383.