William Langer graduated from UND in 1906 and had a long career in politics. He was North Dakota Attorney General from 1917 until 1920 and served twice as Governor: from 1933 to 1934 and from 1937 until 1939. Elected to the United States Senate in 1941, he served until his death in 1959.
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Letter from Albert Simpson to Senator Langer Regarding Mineral Rights on Land Taken Under US Public Law 437, January 15, 1954
Albert H. Simpson
This letter, dated January 15, 1954 from Fort Berthold, North Dakota tribal member Albert H. Simpson to United States (US) Senator William Langer accompanies a copy of a resolution passed by the Tenth Annual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians on December 9, 1953.
Simpson's letter asks for Langer's full support "during the hearings" and also for the request for a per-capita payment through US Public Law 437.
The attached resolution asks that the mineral rights for the 158,000 acres of land taken under US Public Law 437 be restored to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, and that any pending legislation covering such subjects be amended to include these tribes.
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Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council Resolution Regarding Per Capita Payments, Passed May 13, 1954
Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council
This resolution passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council on May 13, 1954 addresses the rejection of $200 per capita payments for members of the Three Affiliated Tribes and resolves to appeal that decision. The resolution says that the disapproval of $200 per capita payments would be detrimental to tribal members and that it would impair the tribes' relationship with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. The resolution is signed by Samuel Meyers (Secretary), Martin Cross (Chairperson), and Ralph Shane (Superintendent).
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Resolution Passed by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council Regarding Per Capita Payments, May 13, 1954
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Three Affiliated Tribes Resolutions sent from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Pertaining to Redistricting and Per-Capita Payments, August 18, 1954
Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council and Martin Cross
These resolutions, adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council on August 18, 1954, were sent by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer. The first resolution proposes redistricting the Fort Berthold Reservation for better tribal council representation. The second resolution pertains to the distribution of funds held in trust for the Three Affiliated Tribes from the construction of the Garrison Dam. The council has resolved to support the distribution of funds as per-capita payments. The letter enclosing these resolutions from Cross to Langer is dated August 27, 1954. In the letter, Cross indicates that the resolutions have the blessing of Area Director W.O. Roberts and the US Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Glenn L. Emmons.
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Letter from Irene Martin Edwards on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking him for Sending the Resolution Adopted by the Tribal Business Council, September 1, 1954
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Letter from Marie D. Wells to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Hearing in US Court of Claims, March 1, 1954
Marie D. Wells
This letter dated March 1, 1954, from Marie D. Wells of Elbowoods, North Dakota to United States (US) Senator William Langer, expresses Wells's desire for the Fort Berthold hearing in the US Court of Claims to take place as soon as possible.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Marie D. Wells Regarding Fort Berthold Hearing in US Court of Claims, March 6, 1954
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Letter from Carl Whitman Jr. to Senator Langer Regarding Recent Hearings in North Dakota, November 9, 1954
Carl Whitman Jr.
This letter dated November 9, 1954, from Carl Whitman, Jr. of Parshall, North Dakota on the Fort Berthold Reservation to United States (US) Senator William Langer, makes reference to Langer's October 30 letter in which Langer says, "I certainly hope we did some good."
Whitman reacts to this statement, saying it suggests Langer is done with the matter, whereas Whitman expects Langer will continue to work to address the concerns expressed in during the hearings. He asks Langer to study carefully the testimony of Robert Rietz and Ben Youngbird to understand "what the Indians really want." He goes on: "The Tribal Council has deprived the Indians their right to vote, with the flimsy excuse of the Constitutional revision and are even stalling on this. The Indians want a change, please help us."
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Letter from Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Jr. Regarding Recent Hearings in North Dakota, November 19, 1954
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Letter from Congressman Usher Burdick to Senator Langer Regarding Petition from Elbowoods, July 27, 1953
Usher Burdick
In this letter, dated July 27, 1953, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to US Senator William Langer, Burdick replies to Langer's letter of July 13, regarding a petition Langer had received from residents of Elbowoods, North Dakota who had agreed to sell their homes to the US Corps of Engineers to make way for the creation of the Garrison Dam reservoir, and after waiting more than two years, were requesting to be paid immediately for their lost homes.
Burdick thanks Langer for his letter and enclosed copy of the petition, and says that he had already taken the matter up with the US Department of Justice, and that he has just that day received a letter from J. Edward Williams informing him that the residents would be receiving payment in the immediate future. Burdick quotes a passage of the letter from Williams explaining this, and says he is glad that these residents will finally be getting their money.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Congressman Usher Burdick Regarding Petition from Elbowoods, July 13, 1953
Letter from J. Edward Williams to Representative Usher Burdick Regarding Petition from Elbowoods Residents Requesting Payment for Taken Properties, July 23, 1953
Petition from Elbowoods Residents to Senator Langer Requesting Payment for Taken Properties, June 25, 1953
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Forwarding a Resolution Passed on December 9 by the National Congress of American Indians Regarding Mineral Rights, December 26, 1953
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated December 26, 1953, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States Senator William Langer, encloses a resolution unanimously passed by the Tenth Annual Convention National Congress of American Indians on December 9, 1953. Cross informs Langer that he has been elected as the first vice-president of the National Congress of American Indians. Cross also says that he plans to be in Washington, D.C. after the 10th of January to get approval for a group of delegates to come to Washington, D.C. to help facilitate the pending bills that will benefit the Three Affiliated Tribes. The mentioned resolution is enclosed with this document.
The letter is marked with some shorthand notes.
See also:
Resolution Passed by the National Congress of American Indians Regarding Mineral Rights, December 26, 1953
Letter from Irene Martin Edwards on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking him for Forwarding the Resolution Passed by the National Congress of American Indians, December 28, 1953
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Letter from Edwards to Mondclair Regarding Report from the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, December 31, 1953
Irene Edwards
This letter, dated December 31, 1953, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair of Elbowoods, North Dakota, explains that, as Langer is out of the city, Edwards, as Langer's assistant, is taking the liberty to send Montclair a copy of a report from the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Langer to Ramona Bearquiver Regarding Possible Loan, October 26, 1953
Irene Edwards
This letter, dated October 26, 1953, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States (US) Senator William Langer to Ramona L. S. Bearquiver, refers to a letter from Bearquiver in which she expresses a wish to make a loan through the Fort Berthold Agency.
In her reply, Langer assistant Edwards says Langer's office is immediately contacting the Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Agency to see what can be done, and that Bearquiver will be hearing from Langer's office shortly.
See also:
Letter from Irene Edwards for Senator Langer to R. W. Quinn Regarding Possible Loan for Ramona Bearquiver, October 26, 1953
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Senator Langer to Floyd Regarding Report from the Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, December 31, 1953
Irene Edwards
This letter, dated December 31, 1953, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair of Elbowoods, North Dakota conveys to Montclair a copy of a report from the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Edwards expresses Langer's regrets that the report "is not more favorable".
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Senator Langer to R. W. Quinn Regarding Possible Loan for Ramona Bearquiver, October 26, 1953
Irene Edwards
This letter, dated October 26, 1953, from Irene Edwards, secretary to United States (US) Senator William Langer, to R. W. Quinn, Superintendent of the Forth Berthold Agency, makes reference to a letter, which Edwards has enclosed, received by Langer's office from Ramona L. S. Bearquiver of Hayward, California, "inquiring about any per capita payment to which she or her family may be entitled and about a loan through the agency."
Edwards writes that she would very much appreciate having Quinn's advice in this matter, and asks him to return the enclosed letter with his reply.
The letter Edwards refers to as being enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Langer to Ramona Bearquiver Regarding Possible Loan, October 26, 1953
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Senator Langer to the Reverend H. W. Case Regarding Senate Bill 1187, March 26, 1953
Irene Edwards
This letter, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States (US) Senator William Langer to the Reverend H. W. Case of Fort Berthold, North Dakota, is a reply to Case's letter of March 17, and makes reference to an enclosed copy of US Senate Bill no. 1187, which Langer introduced in the US Senate on March 4, 1953.
The referenced attachment was not found with this letter in the Langer papers.
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Letter from Irene Edwards for Senator Langer to the Reverend H. W. Case Regarding Church Relocation Expenses, October 6, 1952
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Letter from Irene Martin Edwards on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking him for Forwarding the Resolution Passed by the National Congress of American Indians, December 28, 1953
Irene Martin Edwards
This letter dated December 28, 1953, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for his letter of December 26th which enclosed a resolution passed by the National Congress of American Indians. Edwards notes that Langer is out of town but will be glad to receive the letter and resolution.
A handwritten note at the top of the letter reads, "Cross, Martin."
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Forwarding a Resolution Passed on December 9 by the National Congress of American Indians Regarding Mineral Rights, December 26, 1953
Resolution Passed by the National Congress of American Indians Regarding Mineral Rights, December 26, 1953
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Letter from Glenn Emmons to Senator Langer Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by the Garrison Dam Project, December 28, 1953
Glenn L. Emmons
This letter, dated December 28, 1953, from Glenn L. Emmons, Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to US Senator William Langer, acknowledges receipt of Langer’s letter of December 9 enclosing a copy of a petition Langer had received requesting full per capita payment to the members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation of the balance remaining from the funds authorized by the act of October 29, 1949 (63 Stat. 1026).
Emmons recounts for Langer that a per capita payment of $1,000 was made to each member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Tribal Business Council on April 13, 1951, and approved by the [US] Department [of the Interior, of which the BIA is unit] on May 4 1951.
However, Emmons continues, “after the per capita payment was made and before other provisions of the resolution were carried out by the Tribal Business Council, the tribe[s] in a referendum in 1952 disapproved the resolution of April 13, 1951. An additional per capita payment of $200 was authorized on April 15, 1953.”
Since then, Emmons writes, additional per capita payments have been held up for multiple reasons. Among them is the Bureau’s position that “a long-range program for the use of the remaining funds would be more desirable and beneficial than a per capita payment,” because "the tribes "desired continuing responsibility on the part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to furnish services to the Indians notwithstanding the approximately $5,000,000 available to them."
Emmons adds that the matter of a full per capita payment of the remaining balance was reviewed recently by the US Department of the Interior, with the outcome that “the Department did not favor a full per capita payment of all tribal funds remaining...because of the need for authorizing these funds as a part of a program looking toward the termination of Federal responsibility for administering the affairs of the Three Affiliated Tribes,” a position, he writes, that is “strengthened by the approval of House Concurrent Resolution 108," which states that "it is the policy of Congress, as rapidly as possible, to make the Indians within the territorial limits of the United states subject to the same laws and entitled to the same privileges and responsibilities as are practicable to other citizens of the United states to end their status as wards of the United States and to grant them all the rights and prerogatives pertaining to American citizens.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn Emmons Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Arne Tollefson Regarding Federal Funding for Road Construction, January 2, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated January 2, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to McKenzie Country Auditor Arne Tollefson, references their recent correspondence regarding highway construction, and includes a reply Langer has received from Lt. Col. Reginald J. B. Page of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Garrison District, regarding the question of building the proposed road at federal expense.
In the attached reply, Page explains that, because the proposed road lies outside the boundaries of the reservation, he has no funding or authority to include such a road in the Fort Berthold road construction project.
See also:
Letter from Arne Tollefson to Senator Langer Regarding Federal Funding for Road Construction, December 2, 1952
Letter from Senator Langer to Reginald J. B. Page Regarding Federal Funding for Road Construction, December 10, 1952
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Letter from Senator Langer to Bigelow Neal Regarding Garrison Dam Area Situation , April 18, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated April 18, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Bigelow Neal of Sanish, North Dakota, makes reference to a letter Langer received from Neal regarding "the situation existing in the Garrison reservoir area."
In this letter, Langer replies to Neal, saying that he has conferred with US Representative Usher Burdick, and respectfully suggests that Neal follow the advice he received from Burdick. Langer adds that he has also enlisted the help of "the entire bunch of lawyers working for the Judiciary Committee" and they arrived at the same conclusion as Burdick did. "We may not win," Langer says, "but it seems to be our very best approach and is worth pursuing to the end."
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Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, June 24, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated June 24, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Charles Black Bear of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, makes reference to Black Bear's desire to have money that is owed him for his share of land on the Fort Berthold Reservation forwarded to him in Cannon Ball.
In this letter, Langer regrets that there has been so much delay in the completion of the sale, and says he is enclosing a copy of a report he has received from the Fort Berthold Agency further regarding the matter.
The report referred to here was not found with this letter in the Langer papers.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, March 24, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, March 2, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated March 2, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Charles Black Bear of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, makes reference to Black Bear's recent letter regarding money owed him and his desire to have that money forwarded to him in Cannon Ball.
In this letter, Langer replies to Black Bear's letter, informing Black Bear that he has notified Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent R. W. Quinn of Black Bear's wishes.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to R. W. Quinn Regarding Charles Black Bear Payment for Share of Land, March 2, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, March 24, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated March 24, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Charles Black Bear of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, makes reference to Black Bear's desire to have money owed him for his share of land on the Fort Berthold Reservation forwarded to him in Cannon Ball.
In this letter, Langer says he is enclosing a copy of the letter he received from Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent R. W. Quinn regarding the matter.
The enclosed letter referred to here was not found with this letter in the Langer papers.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to R. W. Quinn Regarding Charles Black Bear Payment for Share of Land, March 2, 1953
Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, June 24, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Congressman Usher Burdick Regarding Petition from Elbowoods, July 13, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated July 13, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to US Representative Usher Burdick, refers to a petition Langer has received from former Elbowoods residents who agreed to sell their homes to the US Corps of Engineers to make way for the creation of the Garrison Dam reservoir, and who, after waiting more than two years, are now requesting to be paid immediately for their lost homes.
While this letter mentions a photostatic copy of the petition being attached, no copy of the petition was found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Petition from Elbowoods Residents to Senator Langer Requesting Payment for Taken Properties, June 25, 1953
Letter from Congressman Usher Burdick to Senator Langer Regarding Petition from Elbowoods, July 27, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated December 9, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair, Chairman of the National American Indian Defense Association, makes reference to a petition Langer received from Montclair concerning the disposition of funds on deposit to pay for tribal lands inundated by the Garrison Dam project. Langer writes that he has again contacted the US Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding this matter and that Montclair will hear from him as soon as he receives information regarding when tribal members can expect to see their payments.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn Emmons Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
Letter from Glenn Emmons to Senator Langer Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by the Garrison Dam Project, December 28, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn Emmons Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 9, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Glenn L. Emmons, Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, Langer makes reference to monies currently on deposit for payment to members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation for lands inundated by the Garrison Dam project, and to a petition he has received, which he encloses with this letter, regarding the disposition of those funds. Langer asks Emmons for any information Emmons can give him regarding when tribal members can expect to receive their payments.
The petition mentioned as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by Garrison Dam Project, December 9, 1953
Letter from Glenn Emmons to Senator Langer Regarding Payment for Lands Inundated by the Garrison Dam Project, December 28, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to James Black Dog Acknowledging Black Dog's Recent Letter to the Attorney General, February 2, 1953
William Langer
This letter dated February 2, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to James Black Dog, thanks Black Dog for sending a copy of the letter that he sent to the US Attorney General. Langer writes that he hopes the US Attorney General will investigate the situation.
A handwritten annotation on the letter reads, "Cross, Martin."
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Letter from Senator Langer to J. K. Murray Regarding the Charles Black Bear Matter, January 27, 1953
William Langer
This letter, dated January 27, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Bismarck Attorney J. K. Murray, makes reference to a correspondence Langer has received from Murray concerning a matter involving Fort Berthold Member Charles Black Bear.
Langer thanks Murry for sending him a copy of Murray's letter to Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent R. W. Quinn.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Charles Black Bear Regarding Payment for Share of Land, March 2, 1953
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Apologizing that Langer Could not Attend the Tribal Conference with Commissioner Emmons of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, November 2, 1953
William Langer
This letter dated November 2, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for the invitation to attend the tribal conference with Commission Emmons of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs (Likely a reference to Glenn L. Emmons who served as the US Commissioner of Indian Affairs under US President Dwight Eisenhower from 1953-1961). Langer regrets that he was unable to attend.
There are some handwritten annotations on the letter.