Native American Studies Commons^™

Letter From Erin And Stephen To Congress, Erin, Stephen

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from two students to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Margaret To Congress, Margaret

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Mary To Congress, Mary

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Michael To Congress, Michael

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Mike To Congress, Mike

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Milly To Congress, Milly

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Mixi To Congress, Mixi

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Nathen To Congress, Nathen

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Nick To Congress, Nick

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Ryan To Congress, Ryan

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Terri To Congress, Terri

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Torie To Congress, Torie

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

Letter From Travis To Congress, Travis

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.

United Methodist Church Resolution On The Desecration Of Burial Sites, 1988, United Methodist Church General Conference

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This one-page typed document is a draft resolution from the United Methodist Church General Conference, dated 1988. The Conference notes their opposition to the desecration of indigenous graves and urges members and Congressional representatives to pass better legislation to address this problem in the future.

Final Report Of The Garrison Unit Joint Tribal Advisory Committee: Hearing Before The Select Committee On Indian Affairs, United States Senate, United States Congress, Us Senate

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This report from the United States (US) Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, dated November 19, 1987, includes a hearing transcript regarding the status of the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Standing Rock Nation in terms of just compensation for their taken lands. The hearing covers debate among the committee members regarding additional compensation for the tribes and it includes statements from members of the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Standing Rock Nation. Some committee members express concern about the amount of compensation requested for the tribes and the means of producing those funds. The issue of unfulfilled promises made …

Hunger And Nutrition Problems Among American Indians: A Case Study Of North Dakota; Hearing Before The Select Committee On Hunger House Of Representatives One Hundredth Congress First Session, Hearing Held In New Town, Nd July 10, 1987, United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This report from the United States (US) House Select Committee on Hunger, dated July 10, 1987 includes the transcript of a hearing held in New Town, North Dakota focused on nutrition and diabetes among Three Affiliated Tribe members on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The hearing includes expert testimony from health and nutrition experts and residents of the Fort Berthold Reservation. The opening statement made by Representative Mickey Leland acknowledges the devastating impact that the Garrison Dam had on the Three Affiliated Tribes and he indicates that in addition to the information from the hearing, he will also consider the recommendations …

Letter From Citizens For Alternatives To Radioactive Dumping, April 13, 1987, Janet Greenwald

American Indian Movement and Activism

This typed and annotated letter from CARD (Citizens for Alternatives to Radioactive Dumping), dated April 13, 1987 outlines strategies for stopping a proposed land withdrawal bill that would earmark land in New Mexico to be used as a dumping site for radioactive waste. The letter calls for more active engagement from citizens and urges them to contact representatives to voice concerns. Included are notes by an unknown author as well as contact information for senators and congressional representatives.

Final Report And Recommendations Of The Garrison Unit Joint Tribal Advisory Committee: Joint Hearing Before The Select Committee On Indian Affairs, United States Senate And The Committee On Energy And Natural Resources, United States Senate And The Committee On Interior And Insular Affairs, House Of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session On Oversight Hearing On The Final Report And Recommendations Of The Garrison Unit Joint Tribal Advisory Committee, United States Congress, Us Senate, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This report from the United States (US) Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources along with the Subcommittee on Water and Power, and the US House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs along with the Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources, dated March 30, 1987, includes the transcript of a hearing to address the US Department of the Interior’s Garrison Unit Joint Tribal Advisory Committee’s (JTAC) finding that “the tribes of the Standing Rock and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations bore an inordinate share of the cost of implementing the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin …

Decker Cave Action Plan, March 23, 1987, Walter E. Allen

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This 20-page typed document consists of an action plan sent to District Ranger John Tharp from archeologist Walter E. Allen on March 23, 1987 as well as supplementary materials about Decker Cave. The plan details the history of vandalism and pothunting at the site, including the disturbance of American Indian burials. It also explores the potential for further archeological exploration of the cave in coordination with concerned American Indian groups and provides a plan to deter additional looting of the site. Supplemental materials include a discussion with the University of Missouri Archeological Department, a review of literature, and maps of …

Leonard Peltier Brochure, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

American Indian Movement and Activism

This typed brochure made by the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee details the timeline of Leonard Peltier's arrest, trial, and efforts to free him. Leonard Peltier is an Ojibway-Lakota and activist for AIM who was indicted for allegedly murdering two FBI agents in a shootout on the Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Lakota reservation in 1975. Years after his trial, the Committee obtained some 12,000 pages of documents that show perjured testimonies, conflicting statements, and violations of due process. The brochure introduces other issues surrounding the case and urges people to write letters to government officials to help free Peltier.

Water Resources Development Act Of 1986, United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This excerpt from a report from the House Committee of Conference dated October 17, 1986, was written to accompany United States (US) House Resolution 6, also known as the “Water Resources Development Act of 1986.” US House Resolution 6 authorizes development, flood control, and water protection measures for several projects across the US. This report suggests amendments to US House Resolution 6. This excerpt highlights a section of the report entitled “Garrison Land Transfer” which stipulates that 136 acres of land be held in trust by the United States for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in …

An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations Made Pursuant To Public Law 98-360, United States Congress

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This public law, also known as "The Garrison Diversion Unit Reformulation Act of 1986" or United States (US) Public Law 99-294, passed on May 12, 1986, amended existing public law related to the Garrison Diversion Unit and addressed the major issues of meeting the water needs of North Dakota, addressing environmental impacts associated with the Garrison Diversion Unit, compensating farmers for lost land, honoring the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, and repaying Federal Loans that were used for the construction of the Garrison Diversion Unit.

To Implement Certain Recommendations Made Pursuant To Public Law 98-360, United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This report, dated April 22, 1986, is the second part of a two-part report. The first report “Garrison Diversion Unit Reformulation Act of 1986 is dated April 9, 1986 and was written to accompany United States (US) House Resolution 1116.

This second part, presented by Morris K. Udall from the US House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, summarizes modifications proposed to the Garrison Diversion Unit and provides a cost estimated for the proposed bill. The report acknowledges the devastating effects that the Pick-Sloan Project had on the tribes living on Fort Berthold and Standing Rock reservations. US House Resolution …

Garrison Diversion Unit Reformulation Act Of 1986, United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

This report from the United States (US) House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs dated April 9, 1986, was written to accompany US House Resolution 1116 which seeks authorization for the construction of the Garrison Diversion Unit to help meet the water needs of North Dakota (ND). US House Resolution 1116 proposes improved repayment methods for irrigation and includes provisions that will compensate for farmland lost to the implementation of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program. This report includes a history of the Garrison Dam project, including problems encountered with the proposed implementation of irrigation which some in Congress criticized as …

Three Affiliated Tribes V. Wold Engineering (1986), United States Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor

US Government Documents Related to Indigenous Nations

Three Affiliated Tribes v. Wold Engineering is a case that forced the United States (US) Supreme Court to clarify US Public Law 83-280 (typically referred to as Public Law 280). Due to a lack of clarity in US Public Law 280, when the Three Affiliated Tribes attempted to sue Wold Engineering for breach of contract, North Dakota (ND) state courts told the tribes that they were unable to preside over a case between a sovereign nation and a private business. The ND Supreme Court held that the tribes would have to give up tribal sovereignty if they wanted to try …

Letter From Suzan Shown Harjo To Thomas King, August 12, 1985, Suzan Shown Harjo

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This typed letter from Suzan Shown Harjo, Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, was sent to Dr. Thomas King, Director of Resource Preservation for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, on August 12, 1985. Harjo praises the new draft Guidelines for the Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review because they promote active consultation with American Indians before grave sites are disturbed and favor reburial of remains over perceived scientific value. She contrasts the draft Guidelines with those of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which heavily favor the self-interests of archeologists and anthropologists.

Draft Guidelines For Consideration Of Traditional Cultural Values In Historic Preservation Review, Advisory Council On Historic Preservation

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This 21-page typed document is a draft of Guidelines for the Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review, dated August 1, 1985. The document outlines the Historic Preservation Advisory Council's policies and procedures concerning project planning for historic properties, taking into account the traditional cultural values that may be impacted by such projects. It provides background on the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and contains an appendix dealing with the treatment of human remains.

Statement Of The Director, American Indians Against Desecration, July 30, 1985, Jan Hammil

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This 4-page typed document is a statement from the Director of American Indians Against Desecration, Jan Hammil, speaking before the United States House of Representatives on July 30, 1985. Hammil provides a history of the AID organization as a result of the Longest Walk, when the bodies of ancestors were discovered in museums and universities across the United States. Hammil expresses the need for a federal policy to avoid significant archaeological sites that incorporate Indian burial sites. She also advocates for the consideration of traditional cultural values when organizing archaeological digs, referencing the American Indian Freedom of Religion Act and …

Letter From Mateo Jose Guerrero Flores To William Means, November 8, 1984, Mateo Jose Guerrero Flores

American Indian Movement and Activism

This typed letter to William Means from Mateo Jose Guerrero Flores requests the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) to cooperate and assist the Nicaraguan government, the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the Inter American Human Rights Commission with problems concerning the Miskito Indians of Central America. He notes that American Indian Movement leader Vernon Bellecourt can provide further details about the project.

Letter From Fernando Colomer To William Means, November 7, 1984, Fernando Colomer

American Indian Movement and Activism

This typed letter to William Means from Rev. Fernando Colomer of the Moravian Church in Nicaragua requests the support of the International Indian Treaty Council. It invites the Council to aid discussions with the Nicaraguan government and find solutions to problems concerning the Miskito Indians including those who are held prisoner in the cities of Managua, Puerto Cabezas and Bluefields.