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Description

This document contains a resolution passed by an organization called "Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated," a record of proceedings of a meeting, presumably held by this same organization, dated April 3, 1944, and a United States Senate memorandum slip indicating that these items are to be inserted in the United States (US) Congressional Record.

The resolution from “Fort Berthold American Inc.” stipulates that "any matter that should arise among our tribe be approved by Congress and giving [sic] our tribe opportunity to discuss among our tribe.” The resolution furthermore opposes unnecessary and confusing laws and states that the organization “cannot agree of this law making [sic] in regard to Indian property.” The resolution asks that Fort Berthold property be put “into same status as that of ather [sic] American people, and condemns "the law making scheme which has been in style to cause confusion among our tribe and dissatisfaction.” Reference is made to an understanding that a Council won't retire at the end of its term, though what council is being referred to here is unclear. The resolution is signed by Joe B. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson and bears a handwritten annotation, “Ft Berthold.”

The document titled “Proceedings from this Meeting” contains ten "principles," summarized as follows: 1) to be excluded from the Wheeler-Howard Act; 2) to allow individuals to continue to use their own land and interest; 3) to pay personal tax to the state, but not land tax; 4) to recover the bill known as "$400,000"; 5:) to have anything pertaining to the tribe be considered by the tribe; 6) to have "our tribe" tribe pay a "transpass" fee for livestock grazing on tribal land; 7) to oppose the Bureau of Indian Affairs control of Indian life, including its management of Indian funds; 8) (a number of things are mentioned in this "principle," though it is not clear what the focus is; opposition to the Wheeler-Howard Act is mentioned; 9) the organization is not insulting anyone who wants to continue under the Bureau's program; and 10) to fight for American Ideals and be free from regimentation and bureaucratic control.

These proceedings are signed by Jackson Dancing Bull and Rufus Stevenson. The document is marked at the heading with the handwritten annotation “Van Hook, No Dak.”

Date of Work

4-3-1944

Keywords

Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, Garrison Dam, Elbowoods, resolution, Wheeler-Howard Act, livestock grazing, laws

Organizations Referenced

Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, US Bureau Of Indian Affairs

People Referenced

Joe B. Baer, Adlai Steveson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, Francis Stevenson, Rufus Stevenson, WIlliam Langer

Disciplines

Political History | United States History

Resolution from the Fort Berthold Americans to the United States Congress Regarding Disagreement with Law Over Indian Property, April 3, 1944

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