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Records Relating to the Indian Reorganization Act (Wheeler鈥揌oward Act)

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Historical Overview

Records Overview

Congress passed the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, better known as the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), on June 18, 1934. This legislation marked a major shift in federal Indian policy.

The 威尼斯人娱乐场 houses multiple series of records related to the IRA, its acceptance or rejection by American Indian tribes, and the programs it established.

Historical Overview

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Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

The IRA led to major changes related to tribal land ownership and self-government. The IRA ended allotment of tribal lands, which had broken apart reservations and led to serious economic and cultural impacts on tribal communities, and established a process by which lands could be restored to tribal ownership.

The act also recognized tribal governments and offered incentives for tribes to adopt U.S. government-style constitutions and governing councils. In addition to these major policy shifts, the IRA set aside funds for Indian education and established Indian hiring preference in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

For its supporters, the IRA was a major victory in preserving and strengthening tribal sovereignty, which had been undermined by decades of forced assimilation into American society.

For its critics, however, the IRA ignored differences in American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and their traditional methods of organization and leadership.

Records Overview

Records related to the IRA are found in different record groups and series. Select series, and in some instances file units, are listed below. The list is arranged by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 research facility where the records are housed. For a full list of 威尼斯人娱乐场 research facilities, see Visit Us.

Click the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifiers for the full archival records descriptions in the . For questions related to the records, please contact the custodial unit indicated.

威尼斯人娱乐场 in Washington, DC (Archives 1 Reference Branch)

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Petition for Charter, Tulalip Reservation, January 14, 1936

For questions related to these records, please email archives1reference@nara.gov.

Record Group 11: General Records of the U.S. Government

  • Copy of the Indian Reorganization Act (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management

  • 鈥淩ecords Relating to the Administration of Indian Reserves Under the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act of June 18, 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • 鈥淩ecords Concerning the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, 1933鈥�1937鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淕eneral Records Concerning Indian Organization, 1934鈥�1956鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淐orrespondence with Officials, 1934鈥�1946鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淨uestionnaires Concerning Tribal Organization in Alaska, 1934鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淪uperintendents鈥� Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports, 1910鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • This series is digitized in the
  • 鈥淐orrespondence and Memoranda Related to Administrative Decentralization, 3/1936鈥�5/1937鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淩ecords Concerning Restoration of Opened Lands and Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Purchases, 1937鈥�1940鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淩ecords Relating to Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Land Acquisition Projects, 1933鈥�1946鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淩ecords Relating to Land Tenure and Acquisition, 1917鈥�1947鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • A folder list is available in the .
  • 鈥淎pplications and Other Records Relating to Registrations Under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, 1935鈥�1942鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淩ecords Concerning Pending Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Purchases and Tribe Purchases, Project Cards, and Land Use Records, 1939鈥�1942鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淢aster Charts of Land Acquisition Acreage, 1939鈥�1946鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淐entral Classified Files, 1907鈥�1939鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淐irculars, Orders, and Other Issuances, 1876鈥�1962鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淒ivision of Instructional Services Subject Files, 1910鈥�1969鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier ) 

Center for Legislative Archives, Washington, DC

For questions related to these records, please email legislative.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. Senate

  • 鈥淪enate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs Subject Files, 1928鈥�1953鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • 鈥淐ommittee Papers, 1931鈥�1953鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at College Park (Archives 2 Textual Reference Branch)

For questions related to these records, please email archives2reference@nara.gov.

Record Group 114: Records of the Natural Resources Conservation Service

  • 鈥淩ecords Concerning the Hopi and Papago Tribes, 1937鈥�1940鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at College Park (Cartographic Branch)

For questions related to these records, please email carto@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • 鈥淢aps Relating to the Administration of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, 1936鈥�1947鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Chicago

For questions related to these records, please email chicago.archives@nara.gov.

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Keshena Agency
    • 鈥淔inancial Records Relating to the Stockbridge鈥揗unsee Indians, 1914鈥�1936鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Lac du Flambeau Agency
    • 鈥淩ehabilitation and Land Acquisition Project Records, 1932鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Tomah Indian School and Agency
    • 鈥淭ribal Constitution Ballots Oneida Tribe, 1936鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩ecords Relating to Rehabilitation and Land Acquisition Programs, 1934鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淒ecimal Files for the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Indian Division, 1936鈥�1942鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Denver

For questions related to these records, please email denver.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Albuquerque Area Office
    • 鈥淩ecords of Tribal Operations, 1966鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Blackfeet Agency
    • 鈥淒ecimal Correspondence, 1909鈥�1957鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�021 Indian Reorganization Act March 29, 1934 to November 13, 1936鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Crow Indian Agency
    • 鈥淐orrespondence Files, 1910鈥�1958鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�171 Wheeler鈥揌oward Act Explanations, Circulars, etc.鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�171 Wheeler鈥揌oward Act Lists of Voters鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�171 Wheeler鈥揌oward Act Correspondence鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Fort Belknap Agency
    • 鈥淐orrespondence Files, 1917鈥�1958鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1933鈥�1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Vote Acceptance 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act 1936 Ballots鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act 1936 Ballots鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1937鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Fort Peck Indian Agency
    • 鈥淒isbursements and Ballots on the Indian Reorganizational Act, 1878鈥�1924鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩ecords Concerning General Tribal Matters, 1915鈥�1963鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Shoshone Agency
    • 鈥淐orrespondence of the Agricultural Extension Agent, 1932鈥�1937鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Southern Pueblos Agency
    • 鈥淕eneral Correspondence, 1911鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�020 Legislation, Explanation of Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, 1920鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • United Pueblos Agency
    • 鈥淕eneral Correspondence, 1911鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥淸Part 2] 021 General and Statistical, Legislation, Wheeler鈥揌oward Bill (Indian Reorganization Act), 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥淸Part 2] 022 General and Statistical, Proposed Legislation, Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Wind River Agency
    • 鈥淕eneral Administrative Records, 1890鈥�1960鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�120-A Indian Organization and Reorganization Act鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Fort Worth

For questions related to these records, please email ftworth.archives@nara.gov.

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Five Civilized Tribes Agency
    • 鈥淥ffice Files of the Cashier Relating to Financial and Trust Fund Management, 1910鈥�1944鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淪uperintendents鈥� Office Files, 1920鈥�1939鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Miami Agency
    • 鈥淟and Transaction Files, 1938鈥�1959鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Kansas City

For questions related to these records, please email kansascity.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Cheyenne River Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords Relating to the Election on the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, 1934鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Consolidated Chippewa Agency
    • 鈥淭estimony Taken at a Conference on the Wheeler鈥揌oward Bill, 4/23/1934鈥�4/24/1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩ecords of the Referendum on the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, ca. 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淏allots of the Charter Referendum and Related Lists, 11/13/1937鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淐orrespondence Related to Land Transactions on the White Earth Reservation, 1922鈥�1943鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淐orrespondence of W. F. Myers, 1939鈥�1942鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淕overnment Publications, 1931鈥�1952鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Fort Berthold Agency
    • 鈥淒ecimal Correspondence Files, 1907鈥�1969鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Haskell Institute
    • 鈥淐orrespondence of the Superintendents, 1890鈥�1942鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Minneapolis Area Office
    • 鈥淩ecords Relating to Tribal Government, 1949鈥�1953鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩ecords Relating to Agencies, Offices, and Tribes in Other Jurisdictions, 1949鈥�1952鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淒ecimal Correspondence Files, 1949鈥�1980鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Pine Ridge Agency
    • 鈥淪urvey of Needy Indians, 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淟and Purchase Reports, 10/1938鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩eports on Hearings Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 2/10/1940鈥�2/23/1940鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Rosebud Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords of the Referendum on the Wheeler鈥揌oward Act, 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Winnebago Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords Related to Tribal Government, 1936鈥�1989鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Yankton Sub-Agency
    • 鈥淎lphabetical Subject Correspondence, 1921鈥�1956鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淵ankton Sioux Tribal Records, 1953鈥�1965鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
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Letter from New York Indian Agency Superintendent Charles H. Berry addressing the reason why New York tribes rejected the Indian Reorganization Act

 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • New York Agency
    • 鈥淎dministrative Files, 1911鈥�1967鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�070 Indian Customs (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier ).鈥� Includes correspondence about the rejection of the IRA by tribes in New York.

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Riverside

For questions related to these records, please email riverside.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Fort Yuma Sub-Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords of Tribal Elections, 1934鈥�1936鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Mission Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords Pertaining to the Indian Reorganization Act and Tribal Elections, 1934鈥�1947鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淭ribal Organizational Survey, 1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淐entral Classified Files, 1920鈥�1953鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥�360.1 Land Offerings: Under W鈥揌 Bill, Wheeler鈥揌oward, CA1934鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Sells Agency
    • 鈥淩ecords Related to the Indian Reorganization Act, 1934鈥�1939鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at San Francisco

For questions related to these records, please email sanbruno.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Sacramento Agency
    • 鈥淚ndian Reorganization Act Referendum and Election Records, 1934鈥�1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淐orrespondence of Superintendent Roy Nash, 1923鈥�1943鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淩ecords of Indian Organizations, 1936鈥�1946鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Seattle

For questions related to these records, please email seattle.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Grand Ronde鈥揝iletz Agency
    • 鈥淟oan Records, 1929鈥�1948鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Klamath Agency
    • 鈥淜lamath Tribal Election Records, 1929鈥�1958鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Portland Area Office
    • 鈥淒esk Files of the Tribal Operations Branch, 1934鈥�1951鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淒esk Files, 1934鈥�1951鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淛urisdiction Files of the Realty Branch and Predecessors, 1935鈥�1961鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Salt Lake City Extension and Credit Office
    • 鈥淐lassified Files of the Extension and Credit Office, 1931鈥�1946鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Tulalip Agency
    • 鈥淚ndian Services Subject Files, 1890鈥�1950鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Warm Springs Agency
    • 鈥淭ribal Council Records, 1934鈥�1951鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
    • 鈥淪ubject Files Relating to the Burns Sub-Agency, 1908鈥�1947鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
      • File unit: 鈥淕overnment [Indian Reorganization Act]鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
  • Yakima Agency
    • 鈥淓lection Records, 1935鈥� (威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier )
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