13256-1926 Blackfeet 054
I N D I A N O F F I C E FILES
CAUTION!
Positively no papers to be added to or taken from this file, except by an employee of the Mails and Files Division.
By order of
E. B. MERITT,
Asst. Commissioner.
13S56-r.f,
20834-26
Mr. F. C. Campbell
Dis’t Sup’t in Charge
Blackfeet Indian Agency
Jul 26 1926
My dear Mr. Campbell:
Referspec i s again md« to your le t t e r of April 20, IS 6, transm itting the proceedings o f trib a l contrails held fsfbruary 25, to March 2, 1926, a t which certa in reso lu tio n s were passed rela tin g to the a ffa ir s of theso Indians.
Bssponso i s made to the various subjects submitted, as fcl'.cw si
(1) Haqucst to have ju r isd ic tio n a l le e amended.
With regard to the reso lu tio n p e titio n in g that the Aet at larch 13, 1924 (43 3tat* I ..,215, authorizing the Indians of ths Blrjshfest :aserration to have th eir claim s again st the Government a* therein aet out adjudicated hy ths Court of Claims he amended to tskn in a l l th eir claim s, i t m y he aid that so fa r as th is O ffice i s aware the present law fu lly p rotects the Indians. Further, p e titio n M s I**®15 f l l , d V Their attorneys o f the firm of Sarven & Joyce, and the case i s now pending in th* Court «f Claims.
Tt i s b elieved from the p e titio n f ile d by these attorneys that a ll o f the claims possessin g merit o f these Indians to re been included in the p e titio n mentioned and tlmt no further ju r isd ic tio n a l h i l l i s necessary in the matter.
|2 ) "e'cla; o f a llo tte d land for public highway* without compensation and due process of law.
With respect to le so lu tio n So. 13, complaining as above mentioned, i t may he said that the tailing o f lands fo r public highways over Indian allotment* i* authorised by the Act of tareh 4, 1 1 8 (38 S tat. 1.., 1138), and the only Departmental aotion required i s the approval o f nap of d e fin ite lo ca tio n by the Superintendent, instead o f by the Secretary of ths In terio r, as previously required by the Act S f March 3, 1901 (81 S tat. 1 . , 1053-1034).
Under the provision# o f the Aet o f March 4 , ISIS, you w ill be expected to see that the in te r e sts o f the Indian# are f u lly protected before approving any map f i l e thsreundsr, aad the Indian# Should be so advised.
E&llroakd ric M o f way ^ U l o r * of V . X r t o t Z L * * > —
a nd no a ^ w r n l 1» « 1 W w tt e f e a s il r i # » «* «•* «Ps lt’
» ith w C tio ft 3 th& r.< * « .... rilv n i p :ii (3 $ gt-afce L#» 10®6}*
MtlOM M « C ^ « •» * «»* ^ : * 18 1 V 6 *
( 3 ) 'Seqaest th a t t e w t e B iH 27X4 rod 8 . > 7 3 7 0 .
to eaaeollaU oa of p aten ts I s f»®< t e snen-ted.
5 £ S ? ^ » ^ » n s s s t , ‘- « 2 -
Secretory, in his * • £ * £ * J f c S J ro ro lu n to ry action on the the tr u s t cried , *h»r* thsra had iv»n r o a 0 e_ t ^ U t f t r ; o f a -stent
p a rt of the patentees W ea M l p a rt I s voluntary, and
«l«SA tel infsrrwl. X *»U W ^ control,
he thereby conosats to the i«l«a«s of Me XM» wrsils*
M * h * r o » n C t e ^ o r r o d * s t e h p e t e * ,
h iw e lf of *07 * • nrXTUe,^* shtoh «y m tsrforonoe site
can cellatio n of the «w* * » M te S**?8** ,!n<l °° the S tjh te o f others.
(4) protest to -ny le-lalstio.: Shich would rofece the aroa
o f to o BdissXEfsot B e s e r * » tto a .
^leh « * * tote fro . the ^ referrod to
x l v z i s s j K j S r . s r s a s r s s - r ^
t h f l T t of SSerch 1, 1 W . •(»* S t e t .. 1015-1036).
th is Of fle e i . n ot « « . of « * ~ £ is l s t i o n to ohanee « » « * £ * W d such l e g is l a ti o n he
the® term the ro**rr«ti«w io r i oyj? . . all the facts In
introduced in C e-g res. « * » * <* « - I -
2 ^ S n 10 ony rorort - d a by this Office.
neeec * * • » * » M M S K S K S U l n t e
a s s ^ j a B P s s s e s i S a p s . * a m s - « - * •
Very to l y yew *.
7-21 >» { S i g m ^ E ^ M e r i t t
Assistant C oaaiosioner.
UNITED STATES DPEARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON
Hr. r . 0 . Campbell#
B i t ' t S u p 't i n C harge.
B lactefeet In d ia n Agency.
Jul 26 1926
S2y d ear to?. Campbell*
^R ferar.oe I s a g a in made to yo u r l e t t e r o f A p ril 20, 1926, tr a n s m ittin g th e u ro c a e d in g s o f t r i b a l c o u n c ils b e ld J e b r u a r y 2E>, to March 2 , 1926, a t w hich c e r t a i n r e s o l u ti o n s w ere p a s s e d r e l a t i n g to th e a f f a i r s o f th e s e In d ia n s .
Hesponee I s m»d® to th e v a r io u s s u b je c t* su b m itte d , a s fa llo w s*
(1 ) R equest to have j u r i s d i c t i o n a l law amended.
W ith re c a rd to th e r e s o l u ti o n p e t i t i o n i n g t h a t t o f Morch
13, 1924 (43 S t a t . t . , 2 1 ) , a u th o r is in g th e In d ia n s o f th e *
e s e r v a tio n to have t h e i r c la im s a g a in s t th e Government a s t h e r e i n s e t o u t a d ju d ic a te d by th e C o u rt o f C laim s, be amended *° J O *
c la im s , i t may be - a id t h a t so f a r a s t h i s 1 f i l e d by
law f u l l y p r o t e c ts th e I n d ia n s . ? u r th e r , p e t i t i o n ha* been r i i e a c y & S ^ th e f ir m o f Serven 4 Jo y c e , and th e c ase i s now pendin g i n th e C o u rt of C laim s.
I t i s b e lie v e d from th e p e t i t i o n f i l e d b y th e s e a tto r n e y s th a t
a l l o f th e c la im s p o s s e s s in g m e rit o f to ss* o n ' l ^ i U
i n th e p e t i t i o n m entioned and th a t no f u r t h e r j u r i s d i c t i o n a l b i l l
l a n e c e s s a ry i n th e m a tte r.
{2) -faking o f a l l o t t e d la n d f o r p u b lic highw ays w ith o u t Comp e n s a tio n and due p ro c e s s o f law .
a , n « « r , a a i - to B e so lu tio n Bo. 13, com p lain in g a* above men-
M . » d , 1« w » « » t * » <*“ " { 5 r | £ S i ‘ , l S T l i o f March 3 , 1901 (31 S t a t. t , , 1050-1064).
Under th e p ro v is io n s o f th e A C f S l y ’ p r e t ^ t e d exp ected to see th a t th e i n t e r e s t s o f th e
b e fo re approving any map f i l e d th e re u n d e r, and t h . I n d ia n , should be so a d v is e d .
P a J l r o a d rig h t of way application# a** vm eemddatwd nnter to# n ro v i »i©flas of tbis A c t ©IT ^iaardh 3* X@9® (3 0 S t a l . &## 990} anS bo a rcVfJl 1b gfcron n s l« # e a v ta iM ll* 1« r«M- in accord uwo w lto section 3 ttewwof. "tea »!•« I t tru* o f caxml H afti of w«jr ap 11- s a tio a # toadlwi o u te r to# Act o f ’■» w»fa 3 , 1391 (3 6 S lat* t. . 1036),
(3) Reqwsi th at Simat# B ill 3714 and 3 . B. 7870. r* la tin g
to eanstsl; afcion of patent* la f«*. 1* stented.
mao0m&% to too M il# s*ntloaed m *•»<* « g M by tto trasdaests counail i« net fuvorod, fo r to# reason todtt ca«n#llatio* of a patent la f«* weald affect toe rl«Jite of an Indian's grants## o r aortgags*#.
7h# abort swationBd leg islatio n *■# vm o- onted to tnabl# to# 3#or#tary, in b it discretion, to csaael in fee i**ted daring
to# trtant ,*rtod. *ftwr» « * re bad been no veXnatary action on to# p art of tha j t t M M by ’teidh eonatot to MWtect te lte e ry of a patent alght M inferred. A sale or a #*M®ftg* «» M# j« r t 1# rolnatory, and he thereby conaente to the reloato of Me load fire# rtowrwaat control. Bat w h e re « n I n d i a * ha# tote*# a t o t o u t u artJllag ly , and h a # not « r a i l » d himself of any of to# «4*fl*gM* which a*y to conferred to oteh patent, cancellation of ton « m « «ld to pmv«r, and not m Interference with to# rl.'i'.ts of others.
(4) tTOteet to any l#gial#W®n *bl«fa weald r#d«s# to# *r#»
o f toe SliteSEfoet 8###w»tl<».
91 t o * * « s # # t t o t o # p r o t e s t » to r » t o to o $ « •# # « » o f an y « * t w hich • t e U ta b # from t o e » e » » m M a n a la r ® » #trlp o f l a a * a d j o i n i n g to # S t o c i o r H a litis a l P arte, I t sw y t o e a l d t h a t to # l a n d r e f e r r e d to l i e # i n to # n o r to * o e tern o o r m r o f to # # # # # r # » U « * a n d c o o * * ! a m * t o a t 4 6 ,0 0 0 a c r e # o f la n d , a ll o f w h ich ten t o e a c l a s s i f i e d a# " t i n t o r . e n d r e s e r v e d f r » a l l o t e M t f«>* t o * t o n e f i t o f t o # I n d ia n # , puw w R #* to th e u t o f M M ih 1 , 1 9 0 7 , • ( 3 4 £ * ■ * .* 1 0 1 5 -1 0 3 6 ).
Thin Off!## I# net mmtm of any «evwte*t or plan to p m a e 1#*- lelaU on to change too * t e t a » o f these timber load#, o r to j'-llK-nate too® fro® toe w w # r # n tl« # fo r any •nwrt^oe#. hoold euoh l#gl#l#tion t o titra te— d la t t e p m and referred tor# for re o r t, Ml the facte i n the •«*• would to Savcgtioatod m i to# lnter# # te and wish## of to# Indian# gives f i r s t c<m«siter*Mo* la say report s»te by to ls Office.
Mam* * M a # to# IndlMW ia te w s te d o# to to# te rt« M stumor# en d s to to # t* » « » # * « r e l a t f n e t # M M « ■ * * # # . T h eir o th e r complatots w i l l re c e iv e f u r t h e r c o n s id e r a tio n and you w i l l be a d v is e d .
? - 2 i 'S'ary * ’*#*' jw w r*,
A S sl# tM » t
MEMO, f o r L a n d - S a le s .
d ia n s o f th e r e s e r v a t i o n u n d e r h i s c h a rg e i n w h icn rn e -e, o c c u r s : "HESOLTOD, t h a t w e, th e B u s in e s s C o u n c il o f th e ^ d ia n t r i h e a t a m e e tin g d u ly h e l d a t B row ning, M o n t a n a , on E e h ru a r y 1926 a p p ro v e o f a n d recommend th e p a s s a g e o f S e n a te B i l . 2 5 , iy 2 6 , a p p ro v e o i t h t h e x c e p tio n w h ic h c o n t a i n s th e same P r o v i s i o n s a s H . B. 7 9 7 0 , w i t h ^ ^ r \ f th e f i r s t u r o v is o i n s a i d D i l l , w h icn r e a a s , r p a t e n t e e h a s n o t m o rtg a g e d o r s o l d a n y p a r t o f th e ^ J ^ r i h e d i n su c h p a t e n t ' a n d we r e s p e c t f u l l y r e q u e s t t h a t s a i d p r o v is o he s t r i c k e n o u t.* I t w as am ended h y a d d in g t h i s p a r a g r a p h - 'And. t h a t s e c t i o n 5 o f th e A c t o f 1887 p r o v id in g f o r t r u s t p a t e n t s to he h e l d i n t r u s t f o r p e r i o d s o f 25 y e a r s s h a l l h e e n f o r a n d a n y f e e sim p le p a t e n t s i s s u e d c o n t r a r y t o t h i s p r o v i s i o n s h a l l h n u l l a n d v o i d '." P le a s e f u r n i s h L a n d -C o n tra c ts w ith a Memo, a n sw er to he in c lu d e d i n th e d e l e g a t i o n l e t t e r to th e S u p e r in te n d e n t. L a n d -C o n tr a c ts ,
Tho amendment t o S e n a t e B U I 8714 H.R .7 9 7 0 . sugg o ^ o e u L
l a n d , h e h a s a v a i l e d h i m s e l f o f t h e r i g h t s c o n f e r r e d by t h e p a t e n t , a c c e p t e d i t s t e r m s , and t i t l e h a s p a s s e d o u t o f t h
V -^l l t ^ f f i e 1r t i « n was reoommended t o e n a b l e t h e Seo^ e ^ ® ^ T * g ^ h ^ t r u s t
^ i f i e a r e t i o n , T o e n o e l P a t e n t s i n f e e t h « S
p e r i o d , where p a t e n t e e s
nnpaa had been no v o l u n t a r y n o t i o n . c n t h e p a r t o f £e l i 7 e r y
hy w hich c o n s e n t t o a c c e p t ** * * f* r(ra on h i g p a r t
an i n t e r f e r e n c e ^ t h e r i g h t s o f o t h e r s .
Memorandum.
R eference i s made to th e r e s o lu tio n s p a sse d by th e C ouncil p ro t e s t i n g a g a in s t e f f o r t s th a t a r e b e in g made by c e r t a i n p e rso n s to sec u re th e passag e of an a c t which would tak e away from th e B la c k fe e t R e se rv a tio n a la r g e s t r i p of la n d a d jo in in g th e G la c ie r R a tio n a l P ark.
The s t r i p o f la n d r e f e r r e d to i n th e r e s o l u t i o n s / l i e s i n th e n o rth w e ste rn c o rn e r of th e r e s e r v a tio n and co m p rises about 4 5 ,0 0 0 a c r e s of la n d , a l l of which h a s been c l a s s i f i e d a s “tim b e r" , and re s e rv e d from a l l o t ment f o r th e b e n e f i t o f the In d ia n s ,p u rs u a n t to th e Act o f March 1 1907 (34 S t a t s . , 1 0 15-1035). ' ’
T his O ffic e i s n o t aware o f any movement o r p la n to p ro c u re l e g i s l a t i o n to change th e s t a tu s o f th e s e tim b e r la n d s , or to e lim in a te them from th e r e s e r v a tio n f o r any p u rp o se . Should such l e g i s l a t i o n be in tro d u c e d i n Congress and r e f e r r e d h e re f o r r e p o r t , a l l th e f a c t s i n th e case would be in v e s tig a te d and th e i n t e r e s t s and w ishes o f th e In d ia n s g iv e n f i r s t c o n s id e ra tio n i n any r e p o rt made by t h i s O ffic e .
'-L-C
13256-26
20634-26
( H I
J u ly 20, 1926, MEMO, f o r L and-A llotm ents.
The Superintendent o f the B la ck fee t Agency in ^ t e r o f A p r i l 2 0 ,
1926 transm its m inutes o f c e r ta in c o u n cil m eetings o f the Indi o f t h e r e s e r v a tio n under h is charge in which the fo llo w in g occurs:
"WHEREAS, i t has come to our n o tic e and knowledge, th a t c e r ta in persons are a c tiv e in an attem pt to secure the passage o f an a c t which would take away from the B la ck fee t R eservation a la r g e s t r ip o f land a d jo in in g G lacier n a tio n a l Park, and
wttvpvas on sa id s t r ip o f lan d there are va lu a b le tim ber, and in s a i ^ s t r i p of l^nd the head w aters of our stream s are lo c a te d , and
mr.T7F.AS i f sa id s tr ip o f land i s taken away from t h is reserv a tio n I f folk deprive us o? valu ab le timber land s a n d d e p n v e us o f our water supply, fo r ir r ig a tio n and o t h e r purposes, and
BE IT THEREEORE RESOLVED, th a t we do not consent to the
we v ig o ro u sly p r o te st a g a in st such attem pt to d ep n v property,and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, th a t a copy o f this^ r e s o lu tio n be sent to our Senators and R ep resen ta tiv es in Congress.
P lea se fu r n ish Land-Contracts w ith a Memo, answer to be inclu ded i n th e d e l e g a t i o n l e t t e r to the S u p e r in te n d e n t.
Land-Contracts.
L -0
13256-26
20634-
m e m o r a n d u m
in r e B la c k f e e t T r i b a l C ouncil ( B u s in e s s Committee) re s ' o l u t i o n No. 13:
The ta k in g of la n d s f o r p u b lic highways over B la c k f e e t In d ia n la n d s i s a u th o r iz e d by t h e Act of March 4, 1915 (38 S t a t . L. 1188), and th e only D epartm ental a c t i o n r e q u i r e d i s th e approval of map of d e f i n i t e l o c a t i o n by the S u p e r in te n d ent in s t e a d of th e s e c r e t a r y of th e I n t e r i o r a s p r e v io u s ly r e q u ir e d by th e Act o f March 3, 1901 (31 S t a t . L ., 1058 - 1084). The su p e rin te n d e n t h a s been t o l d t h a t h e w i l l be expected to see t h a t t h e i n t e r e s t s of th e I n d ia n s a r e f u l l y p r o t e c t e d b e f o r e a f f i x i n g h i s approval to any map f i l e d under th e Act of March 4, 1915, and h i s l e t t e r of A p r il 20, 1926, i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h i s i s
R a ilro a d r i g h t of way a p p l i c a t i o n s a r e now co n sid e re d under th e p r o v is io n s of th e Act of March 2, 1899 (30 S t a t . L ., 990) as amended, and no appro v al i s given u n le s s compensation i s p a id in accordance with s e c t i o n 3 t h e r e o f . The same i s t r u e a ls o of canal r i & t of way a p p l i c a t i o n s h a n d le d under th e Act Of March 3, 1891 (26 S t a t . L -, 1095).
S-L
139 1 0 -2 6
137 3 3
In He B la c k f e e t C o u n c il.
On J u ly 1 0 . 1 9 2 $ , t.’.la O f fic e approved ^ a m e n d e d ^ s e t o f
"By-Laws 01 th e B l a c k f e e t b u s in e s s C o u n c il." See e x n i o i t A (5 1 1 9 6 -
i s such th a t i t in c lu d e s c o n s t i t u t i o n m a te r ia l.
Article 2 p r o v id e s th a t tn e m em oersnir o f th e C ou n cil s n a i l consist oi 12 members to oe e ie c t e d on th e l a s t ru esd ay of January each y e a r a t the v a r io u s districts a s n e r e in p r o v id e d , ih e memuere a r e to ue approved oy th e In d ia n Office. Amendments to th e o y -la w s are a l s o s u -J e c t t o th e a p p ro v a l of th e In d ia n O f f i c e , in e Council elects its own P r e s id e n t and S e c r e ta r y .
.lie p resen t c o u n c il was e le c t e d J a n u a r y 2 6 , 1 9 2 6 . a s r e p o r te d i n l e t t e r d ated January 2 7 . 1926. irom S u p erin te: ant oam poell ( E x h io it b ) and l e t t e r o a te a February 1 5 . 1 9 2 6 , rrom A c tin g S u p erin ten d en t i .
H. Stone ( E x n io it C ).
K e ith e r o i tn e s e l e t t e r s c o n t a in s a recom._end8.tion th a t the e l e c t i o n or any p a r t o f i t oe c isa p p r o v e d and in a cco rd a n ce w ith th e re u e s t c o n ta in e d in .h e l a s t paragraph o f i.r . S to n e 's l e t t e r oi F eoruary 15, 1 926. th e e l e c t i o n o f Jan u ary 2 6 , 1 926, was approved oy t h i s office uneer d a te o f harch 1 , i9 2 6 , (E x h iu it lO« Ih e meeting o f ie o r u a r y 2 5 , 2 6 , .a r c h 1 , and 2 , .9 2 6 , was a m e. ~ o f
tn e . r i o a l Business C o u n c il, ih e ty -la w s p r o v id e th a t th e members ^ o f tn e C ouncil s h a l l assume t h e ir o f f i c e s t n i r t y d ays a f t e r an e l e c t i o n .
W hile th e r e a p p ea rs to be n o th in g i n th e re c o rd to show who c a lle d th e m eetin g of th e b u sin e ss com m ittee, i t i s o u serv ed th a t the m in u tes show th a t A c tin g S u p e rin te n d en t Stone p r e s id e d a t th e opening o f th e m eetin g and s ta te d t h a t th e b u sin e ss o f th e m eetin g was to o rg a n iz e th e o f f i c e r s . A f te r th e e le c t i o n o f R obert H am ilton a s P r e s id e n t o f th e C ouncil and R ich ard G rant as S e c re ta ry , th e m eetin g v/as e v id e n tly tu rn e d over to Mr. H am ilton and th e members o f th e C ouncil were sworn in by A c tin g S u p e rin te n d en t S tone.
I t i s n o t b e lie v e d th a t i t w ould be w ise f o r th e O ffic e a t t h i s tim e to d isa p p ro v e o f th e e le c t i o n o f th e C ouncil o r o f th e s e l e c ti o n o f the^^pMMPN**’ o f f i c e r s th e r e o f .
i'he O ffic e does have Defore i t , how ever, th e a c tio n of th e C ouncil and th e r e s o lu tio n s a d o p ted by i t . There i s no n e c e s s ity f o r a p p ro v in g th e p ro c e e d in g s of th e m ee tin g . I t i s q u e s tio n a b le w hether th e O ffic e w ish es to ta k e up each r e s o l u ti o n a c te d upon by th e C ouncil and comment upon i t o r r e j e c t o r approve th e r e o f .
The O ffic e i s un d er no o b lig a tio n to ta k e a c tio n in t h a t mafcfter upon each r e s o lu tio n , but such a c tio n would g iv e th e O ffic e an o p p o rtu n ity to e x p re ss i t s e l f upon each r e s o lu tio n i f i t d e s ir e s to do s o . The q u e s tio n a r is e s as to w hether o r n o t th e O ffice wliould be j u s t i f i e d i n rem oving *|jjj^of th e Councilmen on th e ground
o f en d eav o rin g to k eep th e In d ia n s from c a r r y in g fo rw ard th e
f i v e y e a r program .
j0ie by-law s p ro v id e in a r t i c l e 8 "Any member o f th e B u sin e ss C ouncil found g u i lt y o f m isco n d u ct, a f t e r a p ro p e r h e a rin g by th e C o u n c il, s h a l l , by a tw o -tn ird s v o te be recommended to th e In d ia n s
fo r d is m is s a l."
A p p aren tly th e re were a g r e a t many In d ia n s p r e s e n t a t some of th e se s s io n s o f th e C ouncil on th e above d a te s , and th e speeches were a s much to th e s p e c ta to r s a s to th e c o u n c il. The re co rd e d v o te s , how ever, seemf to have been c o n fin e d to th e members o f th e C o u n cil. I t i s n o t b e lie v e d t h a t th e O ffic e would w ish to d i s approve th e C ouncil m e e tin g as a w hole because o f th e p re sen c e of a s t a t e s e n a to r who was u n d o u b tec ly i n v it e d th e r e by th e In d ian who became Chairman o f th e C o u n c il.
In t h i s c o n n e c tio n , how ever, i t i s o oserved t h a t w h ile th e b y -la y s p ro v id e f o r e le c t i o n o f tv/o councilm en from th e Old Agency D i s t r i c t , th r e e have been e le c te d each y e ar f o r th e l a s t 2 o r 3 y e a r s . T h is makes 13 members in th e C ouncil in s te a d o f 12. ho re c o rd h a s been found th a t th e O ffic e h a s approved a change in th e by-law s on t h a t p o in t.
At t h i s l a t e d a te , we cannot w e ll d isa p p ro v e o f th e C o u n c i l
w ith o u t a t l e a s t making an in q u iry of th e S u p e rin te n d en t a s to when th e change was made.
4-ACG-34
D E P A R T M E N T OF T H E INTERI OR U n i t e d S t a t e s I n d i a n F i e l d S e r v i c e B la c k f e e t A gency B row ning, M ontana A p r il 2 0 , 1926 (V T h is i s to acknow ledge r e c e i p t o f I n d ia n O f f ic e l e t t e r d a te d A p r il 2 , 1925, ahove c i t a t i o n , c o n c e r n in g w h ich I h ave t o sa y t h a t I w o u ld n o t nave s e n t ray l e t t e r o f M arch 1 5 th e x c e p t t h a t I u n d e r s to o d fro m Mr . S to n e t h a t he was a w a itin g my r e t u r n b e f o re t r a n s m i t t i n g th e p r o c e e d i n g s . I th o u g h t u n d e r c ir c u m s ta n c e s I h a d b e t t e r sand th e f i l e f o u n d e d me by Mr S to n e . However soon a f t e r M arch 1 5 th I h a d a n o th e r l e t t e r fro m M r. S to n e in f o rm in g me t h a t T d f o i l i r d e d th e p r o c e e d in g s d i r e c t t o th e O f f ic e w ith o u t a w a i t i n g my r e t u r n c o n c e r n in g w h ich I d e s i r e t o c a l l y o u r a t t e n t i o n to M r. S to n e s l e t t e r o f La c „ 9 th i n h i s c a p a c ity o f A c tin g S u p e r in te n d e n t d u r in g my a b s e n c e . Mo. S tone h a s commented p r e t t y f r e e l y on th e s i t u a t i o n a n d a s he was on th e g ro u n d , d id so b e t t e r t h a n I c a n e v e n now. I n lo o k in g o v e r t h e f i l e i t seeras p r e t t y d i f f i c u l t t o comment o n ohe The f i r s t r e s o l u t i o n seem s t o be on P age 14 o f th e tr a n s c r ip - c by Mr. S to n e , w hich h a s t o do w ith c e r t a i n C o n g r e s s io n a l a c t i o n . « th e - c b i l l s TBt in c lu d e d i n th e r e s o l u t i o n . H ow ever, I presum e th e a b le t o g e t th e t e x t and c o n s id e r in g t h t i n c o n n e d io n w ith th e c o m e n ts , o f th e d i f f e r e n t members o f th e C o u n c il, w i l l u n d e r s ta n d i t . f e “ n o t i f y u s recom m ondafion n e e d e d fro m t h i s O f f ic e an d t h e I n d ia n O f f ic e w i l l so n o t i f y u we w i l l comduct o u r s e lv e s a c c o r d i n g l y . The se c o n d r e s o l u t i o n seems t o b e on Page 15 o f t h e t r a n s c r i p t , w h i c h seems t o have to d o w ith g r a z in g a n d :■:r i c u l t u r & l l e e s . I o no .. - ‘ C o u n c il h a s a n y th in g to do w ith t h i s e x c e p t w here t r i b a l la n d s a .e c o n c e r n . The f a c t t h a t i t i s s t a t e d in t h i s r e s o l u t i o n t h a t th e l e a s e J ^ ® h i _ t a x e s i s n o t w e ll t a k e n , b e c a u s e o f th e f a c t t h a t th e r e r e no a _ * ' " t h i s O f fic e n o r th e T r i b a l C o u n c il h a s a n y th in g t o do w ith t h e l e a s i n g M f . e p a t e n t la n d u o o n w h ich ta x e s a r e l e v i e d . "Upon th e r e c e n t d e t a i l I h ad i n c l u d in g +he r e s e r v a t i o n s o f Id a h o , U ta h , Wyoming, a n d p a r t o f th o s e i n u o n ta n a , I f o w d t h a t t no p la c e .w ere th e la n d s l e a s i n g f o r any more th a n w hat we a r e g e t t i n g f o r th e B la c k fe e t l a n d s . I t i s v a r y e v id e n t t h a t th e p a s s e s H ere d o r - i n s th e l a s t seven y e a r s have n o t o n ly n o t made m y money b u t la v e . " i n t h e i r b u s i n e s s . We n o t o n ly do n o t t r y to p r e v e n t th e I n d ia n s f r o p g e r t i n * a l l th e y can fro m t h e i r la n d s b u t w ould be w i l l i n g t o a s s i s t them JL n E® more th a n th e p r i c e s th e y a r e g e t t i n g w here th e la n d i s w o rth i t a n d 4
a n u m b e r o f i n s t a n c e s t h e y do g e t m o re t h a n t e n c e n t s a n a c r e w h ic h i s M n C m -o r ic e On some o f t h e r e s e r v a t i o n s I f o u n d t h e m inim um p r i c e a s lo w m inim um f r i c e . i t l s t r u e h o l s » e r , t h a t t h e a c t u a l g r a s s
" l ^ o S l C r S S ^ “ » » » . t h a n o n some o f t h e r e s e r v a t i o n s I v i s i t e d , w h i l e on t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h r e f e r e n c e t n l o r '0 r a n d m ore s e v e r e w i n t e r s a d d s a d d i t i o n a l v a l u e t o t h e l a n d s o f r e s e r v a t i o n s w h e re t h e w i n t e r s a r e m i l d e r a n d t h e g r a z i n g s e a s o n i s o n g e r .
S he n e x t r e s o l u t i o n se e m s t o he o n P a g e 1 8 , a l t h o u g h i t i s l i s t e d a s R e s o l u t i o n K o. 7 . I n f a c t , t h e s t e n o g r a p h e r i n f o r m s me t h a t t h e h a ir m a n ■ i s t a t e d t h a t he w as n o t i n t r o d u c i n g t h e r e s o l u t i o n s i n o r a e r h u t w a n te d t o g e t t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t o n e s o u t f i r s t . H o w e v e r, I w i l i c ° m ^ t o n th e m a a ^ t t o y a p p e a r i n t h e t r a n s c r i p t . X t h i n k t h e same com m ent a s m ane w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o R e s o l u t i o n S o . 1 w i l l a p p ly t o r e s o l u t i o n n o . 7 .
R e s o l u t i o n H o. 4 a p p e a r s o n P a g e 20 o f t h e t r a n s c r i p t . The s u b j e c t
m a t t e r o f t h i s r e s o l u t i o n i s v e r y i n d e f i n i t e t o me a n d I p re s u m e i t i s t o t h e I n d i a n O f f i c e . The t r i b a l t i m b e r a r e a s a r e v e r y i r r e g u l a r i n s h a p e a n d a n y s + r i p o f s i x m i l e s w id e e x t e n d i n g a l o n g th e w e s t e r n b o r d e r o f % e r e s e r v a t i o n w o u ld t a k e i n many a l l o t m e n t s . T h e re h a s b e e n n o t h i n g b r o u g h t t o - j r a « ® ^ o n w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h i s a n d I w i l l a w a i t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n o f t h e I n d i a n O f f i c e o n t h i s r e s o l u t i o n b e f o r e a t t e m p t i n g t o com m ent o n t h e s a m e .
R e s o l u t i o n H o. 8 a p p e a r s o n P a g e 8 1 . The t e x t o f t h e s e
¥ | b i l l s a r e n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e r e s o l u t i o n a n d i t see m s t o me t h e com m ent on
j s o l u t i o n Ho. 1 w i l l b e a p p l i c a b l e t o R e s o l u t i o n N o. 8 .
R e s o l u t i o n H o. 9 a p p e a r s o n P a g e 22 a n d h a s t o do w i t h M r . . T“ *“
,.vv a n d t h e E a v a j o 's . The sam e c o m m en t, I t h i n k , i s a p p l i c a b l e n e r e a s o n - . e s o l u $ t i o n N o. 1*
^ R e s o l u t i o n K o. 11 a l s o a p p e a r s o n P a g e 2 2 . I do n o t q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d
! w h e th e r t h e C o u n c il i n t e n d e d t h a t th e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e ^ s e ” ^ e t h e r
i e x t e n d t h e i r c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to t h e s e d i f f e r e n t o n e s m e n tlo n e d , o r
\ t h e C o m m is s io n e r o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s s h o u l d do i t . I w i l l a w a i t i n s t r u c t i o n s ' f r o m t h e I n d i a n O f f i c e w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h i s .
R e s o l u t i o n H o. 13 a p p e a r s o n P a g e 2 3 . C o n c e r n i n g t h i s r e s o l u t i o n I
h a v e t o s a y t h a t so f a r as I h a v e a n y p e r s o n a l ^ ^ l l r l y c o n t a i n e d f o r th e h ig h w a y s a n d w h e re r e l e a s e s w o re n o t o b t a i n e d - ^ g ^ e r e d u l y
e t i t u t e d b o a r d w as p r o v i d e d by t h e S t a t e D i s t r i c t C o u rt a n d t h l a n d s w e r e d u ly
(V a p p r a i s e d a n d d a m a g es a s s e s s e d . C o n c e r n in g t h e c a n a l s a n d r a i l r o a d s I h a v e no • - i n f o r m a t i o n b u t P re s u m e t h e O f f i c e i s f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e t r a n s a c i o n s a t t n a V a s t h i s was e v i d e n t l y d o n e p r i o r t o t h e tim e o f t h e a l l o t m e n t s . I - t h e c a n g iv e me a n y i n f o r m a t i o n along- t h i s l i n e t h a t w o u ld b e h e l p f u l t o e C o u n c i l , we w o u ld a p p r e c i a t e i t .
R e s o l u t i o n H o. 15 a p p e a r s o n P a g e 2 4 . T he t e x t o f t h e s e ' b i l l s i s n o t a L& n a r t o f t h e r e s o l u t i o n a n d I w o u ld s u g g e s t t h a t t h e _ O f f i c e c o n s i d e r t I n s u r e s o l u I ^ t i o n i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e t e x t a n d a l s o g iv e a n y i n f o r m a t i o n a l o n ^ f
t h a t i s p o s s i b l e . T h e re i s c o n s i d e r a b l e m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g am ong th e t h i s r e s e r v a t i o n a s t o t h e s t a t u s o f l a n d t h a t h a s p a s s e d t o p a t e n e i
where th e a p p lic a t io n h as heen made or vtoere th e p a te n t was g iv e n under th e n o lic y o f th e S e c r e ta r y . The O ffic e m ight he a h le to c l e a r up some o f th e m isu n d ersta n d in g and a p p reh e n sio n s th a t p r e v a i l . T his seems to end the r e s o l u t i o n s . The t r a n s c r i p t cp es on c o v e r in g Mrs M oore. I th in k i t i s e n t i r e l y w ith o u t th e p r o v in c e o f t lT C o u n c il to h o ld i n v e s t i g a t io n s o f th e conduct o f em p loyees " p r e f e r - C o + o th P ir o f f i c i a l d u tie s on th e r e s e r v a t io n . That s eems t o me e n t i r e l y o w i t h i n th e hands o f th e ta d ia n O ffic e i t s e l f . I f such con d u ct i s t o he p e r - ' m ilte d o n 'tt o ™ r t o f the “o n u c il and th e y w ould he a llo w e d to meet ev ery f r i r t - ' days and c o n tin u e t l ie ir m ee tin g s i n d e f i n i t e l y f o r which th e y w o uld re t o i r t , days and c r a t i n u e ^ ^ ^ ^ oonf u s io n and d iso r d e r on th e r e s e r - v a t i o n f However, Hr. Stone h as commented on t h i s p r e t ty f u l l y and I en d o rse th e sta n d t h a t he has ta k e n in t h i s m a tte r . When th e C ou n cil ad jou rn ed , i t ad jou rn ed p la n n in g to meet on march 2 5 th . The C o u n cil m eetin g o f Februa y 2 5 th , th e p r o c e e d in g s o f Which I have b ean com 'V m enting on, was c a l l e d in th e r e g u la r way hy A c tin g S u p erin ten d en t F o r r e st R. V otone in ord er th a t th e y m ight o rg a n iz e th e newly e l e c t e d C o u n cil ana e l e c t o f f i c e r - and th e c a l l f u r th e r s t a t e d to t r a n s a c t su ch o th e r b u s in e s s a s come b e fo r e i t . T h is, o f c o u r s e , d id n o t s p e c if y any p a r t ic u la r b u sin e ss o f t * C ou n cil and a c c o r d in g ly th e y r r o c e e d e d , a s th e r e c o r d w i l l sha. , -- V t h e purpose o f making a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h i s a c t i o n t f ; h e \ j a n d h a s r e p o r t e d t h e r e o n , e n d 1 do n o t f u e l t h a t i t ..s - - O ffic e to have me comment upon t h i s f e a tu r e o f th e p r o c e e d in g s , an - e v id e n t ly the in t e n t io n t o ta v e th e in s p e c to r a t te n d t o t h a t fe e 1 - th e O f f i c e w i l l ob serv e th a t when th e C ou n cil ad jou rn ed , th ey d id so to 'meet on i* r c h 2 5 th in te n d in g , e v i d e n t ! , , to g e t away from u s w -i procedure o f a C ou n cil m e e tin g b e in g c a l l e d b , th e £ £ r e s e r v a t io n , and a c c o r d in g ly making t h i s ad jo u rn ed m eetin g a p - r t o f .ne o r i g i n a l m eetin g c a l l e d hy i&r • i>tone* Under State o f Iferch 2 8 , 1926, X tr a n s m itte d a a lo n g -w ith th e n a r r a tiv e r e p o r t 0 1 Joe x5row n,d.ix uj. , , . , , . a la r g e m a jo rity th e y - i l l e v id e n t ly co n tin u e to conduct th e a f f a i r s of t h ie r C ou n cil w ith o u t r e fe r e n c e t o any a d v ic e or d ir e c t io n from t h i s - f e e . R ec e n tly under d ate o f A p r il 10th a C o u n cil m eetin g was c j l l e d a t the town o f sane se v e n m ile s e a s t o f th e A gency. At t h i s m e e tin g th e r e was not a quorum. I am tr a n s m ittin g a sta tem e n t from Frank G uardipee, one of menbers o f t h e t r i b e , th a t w i l l g iv e an a cco u n t o f t h i s m e e tin g . At W s m eetin g th e r e was no n o tic e se n t o u t to the members o f th e C o u n c il. | J oe Brown, d ie h a r d S a n d e r v ille , P e te r F lin t and to th e b e s t o f my t o o f e d g e , ^ L i t t l e B laze d id not r e c e iv e any such n o t i c e . These fo u r members s id e r e d a s helOzaging to Senator McCabe's r e p r e s e n t a tiv e s on t h i s C ounci
C o u n c il w ould he h e ld a t B la c k f e e t u n d e r d a te o f A p r il 1 5 th . We do n o t know w hat t r a n s p i r e d a t t h i s C o u n c il. H e ith e r one o f th e f o u r members t h a t I m e n tio n e d abo v e w ere t h e r e as -hey w o u ld n o t r e c o g n iz e th e n o t i c e a s b e in g an Official W.11 f o r a C o u n c il a n d a c c o r d in g ly d id n o t a t t e n d . I n due c o u r s e tim e I presum e t h e i r p r o c e e d in g s w i l l r e a c h th e I n c i a n O f f i c e .
U nder d a te o f l a r c h 9 , 1 926, Mr. S to n e i n t r a n s m i t t i n g th e p r o c e e d in g s , ask ec t o be a d v is e d , on th e l a s t p age o f h i s l e t t e r , a i t o t h e s t a t u s ox tr.e T r i b a l B u s in e s s C o u n c il. As f a r a s I know th e b u s in e s s C o u n c il o f ^ i s r e s e r v a t i o n h a s n e v e r met w ith o u t a c a l l fro m th e S u p e r in te n d e n t a n d i t i s o u r p l a n to n o t o f f i c i a l l y r e c o g n iz e any m e e tin g o r b u s in e s s t r a n s a c t i o n o f th e i n t o . C o u n c il when i t i s n o t so c a l l e d . F o r i n s t a n c e , th e tow n o f 3 1 a c k f o o t, s e v e n m ile s d i s t a n c e from th e A gency, i t seems t o u s i s n o t a s u i t a b l e p l a « e t o T J * C o u n c il t o m eet and r e c e i v e o f f i c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y when .h e „ o u n c il h a s n o t h e e n c a l l e d hy t h e S u p e r in te n d e n t.
In th e a b s e n c e o f i n s t r u c t i o n s fro m t h e O f f ic e Mr. S^one d e c id e d t h a t o f f i c i a l l y he w ould have no r i g h t to r e c o g n iz e th e a d jo u r n e d C o u n c il m e e tin g .
I t h i n k t h a t U r. S t o n e 's a c t i o n s i n t h a t m a tte r were c o r r e c t . H ow ever, s in c e t h e O f fic e h ad n o t a d v is e d him , he u s e d h i s b e s t ju d g m e n t.
d h i l e th e p u ro o se o f th e a d jo u r n e d m e e tin g a s shown i n th e memorandum t r a n s m i t t e d fro m G re a t Fa l l s , was s t a t e d by th e C hairm an a s b e in g f o r th e e x p re s s p u rp o se o f c o n s id e r in g c e r t a i n am endm ents t o th e c o n s t i t u t i o n w h ic h b y -la w th e c o n s t i t u t i o n p r o v id e d t h a t s u c h am endm ents w ere t o b e c o n s id e r e d t h i r t y da}S from th e d a te t h a t th e o r i g i n a l am endm ents were o f f e r e d , no m e ttio n “ th e s e am endm ents w ere m e n tio n e d d u r in g th e two day s e s s io n o f t h e C o u n c il a n d t h e C o u n c il a d jo u r n e d u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y . L a t e r i t i s a p p a r e n t t h a t th e C hairm an ch an g ed h is v ie w s a s t o th e r i g h t s o f th e T r i b a l C o u n c il to c a l l th e m s e lv e s t o g e t h e r , a s he i s s u e d a fo rm a l c a l l t o a l l members o f th e B u s in e s s C o u n c il t o m eet a t B la c k fo o t a s s t a t e d alDOve*
T here h a s b e e n c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s c u s s i o n a s to th e l e g a l i t y o f t h i s C o u n c il s in c e S e n a to r LicCabe c la im e s t h a t i t w as e l e c t e d th r o u g h h i s m anipul a t i o n s o f I n d ia n p o l i t i c s . n e i s n o t a s s o c i a t e d i n any way w ith th e r e s e r v e t i o n o f f i c i a l l y an d h i s c la im o f h a v in g e i t h e r th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o r p r i v i l e g e o f e n t e r i n g i n to r e s e r v a t i o n s m a t t e r s b e c a u s e o f h i s b e in g a member o f th e
S ta te L e g i s l a t u r e seem s to me i s n o t a t a l l w e ll ta k e n an d w h ile i t i s
judgm ent t h a t an e l e c t i o n o f t h i s k in d c o u ld be v e ry c o n s i s t e n t l y d i s - r e g a r d e d o r n o t a p p ro v e d , s t i l l on th e o t h e r h a n d , I w o u la n o t f a v o r recom m ending su c h a c t i o n . I t w i l l be v e ry d i s o r g a n i z i n g , o f c o u r s e , f o r a C o u n c il o f t h i s k in t o b e i n e v id e n c e f o r a n e n t i r e y e a r , s t i l l a s id e fro m k e e p in g up a g r e a t d e a l o f d is c o r d , d is c o n te n tm e n t, and u n e a s in e s s among th e I n d i a n s , th e r e c*™ 1® g r e a t d e a l o f harm be done and i t i s my judgm ent t h a t n e x t J a n u a ry when t h e
T r i b a l C o u n c il e l e c t i o n i s h e ld t h a t a d i f f e r e n t k in d o f a C o u n c il w i l l be
e l e c t e d , we h ve e v e r y c o n f id e n c e t h a t th e n e x t T r i b a l C o u n c il w i l l e l e c t a t l e a s t n in e co u n cilm en t h a t w i l l be a c c e p ta b le t o the t r i b e a s a w hole a n d w i l l co n d u c t t h e i r c o u n c il p r o c e e d in g s i n an o r d e r ly a n d l e g a l m anner.
FCCsAEL F. a m p sup
•'T' Ve ry r e s p e c t f u l l y . / O
i ‘. 0 . C 'V p b e ll, s u p t l
e k o h a h i u m
In th e l a s t la r a g r a p h o f my l e t t e r on Page 3 I s t a te d t h a t a sta te m e n t from Prank Guardipee was t e i n g t r a n s m i t te d .
In t h i s c o n n e c tio n I have to say t h a t on acc o u n t of th e f o r e s t f i r e Prank G uardipee i s ab sen t from th e Agency and I w ill o b ta in t h i s statem en t and fo rw ard i t upon h is r e tu r n .
L-C
20634-26
13256-26
Hr. | . C. Campbell, JUL 17 1926
M e t. Supt. in Charge,
B lack feet Indian Agency.
My dear Mr, Campbell:
ittin g the proceedings o f a t r i b a l co uncil h eld February 25 and 28, l a s t , in which they v oted fav o rab ly to plaoe on the r o l l s o f the B lack feet N ation of Indians the names o f the follow ing c h ild re n and grandchildren of Henry Ford:
Frances Ford, Vivian Ford,
Melvin S. Ford, Lee Ford,
Aves Theresa Ford, Howard Hamilton,
June E. Ford, Lota Hamilton,
Monta Ford, Elsie Hamilton,
Rose Hamilton,
eleven persons in all.
I t i s noted th a t th e t r i b a l co uncil also requested th a t actio n be taken to o b ta in le g i s l a ti o n to amend the Act o f June 30,
1919 (41 S ta t. L ., 3 -1 6 ), which d ire c te d th a t a f i n a l r o l l o f the In d ian s o f the re s e rv a tio n be made, and th a t th e r e a fte r no additio n a l names be "added to sa id r o l ls * .
The r o l l s re f e rre d to were clo sed under the a c t c ite d Decemb er 30, 1919, and ample n o tic e was given a t the time i n d i c t e d to a l l p erso n t in i n t e r e s t o f the making and c lo s in g of the f in a l r o l l . I t i s th e re fo re now too la t e to receiv e and co n sid er a p p lic a to n s f o r enrollm ent w ith these In d ian s: and in view o f the n o tice given and of the a c tio n in d ic a te d th i s O ffice would no t be w illin g to recommend th a t the a c t r e f e rre d to be amended or th a t the names of a d d itio n a l persons be added to the f i n a l r o l l .
P lease so advise a l l persons In in te r e s t.
Very tr u ly yours,
7-16 jmb
Acting Commissioner.
1&**L
15910-26
FAR
Mr. F . -G. Campbell, APR 2 1926
S u p t. B la e k f e e t Agency
My d e a r rfr. Campbell;
R e c e ip t i s acknowledged o f your l e t t e r o f March 15, 1926 w ith e n c lo s u r e s r e g a r d in g the p ro ceed in g s o f the B lacW eo t T r i b a l B u siness C ouncil m eeting r e c e n t l y h e l d .
Ho a c t i o n w i l l be tak en i n t h i s n a t t e r u n t i l the O ffic e i s i n r e c e i p t of a f u l ^ r e n o r t from you c o n ta in in g your recommendations on a l l m a tte r s tak en up a t t h l a C ouncil m e e tin g . >
Very tru ly , yours
{Signed) E, B. Meritt
A s s i s t a n t Commissioner.
5-1142
D E P A R T M E N T OF T H E I N T E R I O R
U n i t e d S t a t e s I n d i a n F i e l d S e r v i c e
Tongue R i v e r Agency lame l e e r , Mont.
Hon. C has. H. B urke,
C om m issioner o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s ,
W ash in g to n , 1 . C.
My de a r Mr. Burke :
6 t h , a l s o th e p r o c e e d in g s o f th e B u s in e s s C o u n c i l .
I am a l s o t r a n s m i t t i n g a copy o f a l e t t e r from
Mr. S tone d a t e d March 9 t h , a l s o one from R i c h a r d S a n d e r v i l l e d a t e d March 4 t h .
T his m a il has f o llo w e d me aro u n d and I have heen
u n a b le to h a n d le i t u n t i l t o d a y .
I w i l l he l e a v i n g h e re f o r G re a t F a l l s Wednesday
and p l a n on m e e tin g Mr. S tone t h e r e T h u rs d ay when I w i l l
w r i t e you more i n d e t a i l .
When I l e a v e here I w i l l have f i n i s h e d my^ d e t a i l e x c e p t Crow. I s t o p p e d o f f t h e r e t h i n k i n g t h a t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t A sbury was a t home, h u t found t h a t he had j u s t l e f t 1 r
W a sh in g to n , and a t h i s s u g g e s t i o n t h a t he would l i k e to Be
a t home d u r i n g my t r i p , I came on o v er h ere and w i l l p l a n on making Crow l a t e r when Mr. A shury i s home. I am v e r y an x io u s to do my work th e r e w i t h him .
My r e p o r t on U i n t a h and Ouray i s h e i n g m a ile d o u t to d a y and I w i l l so o n f o rw a r d my r e p o r t on Wind R i v e r .
I t i s d i f f i c u l t f o r me t o comment on th e C o u n c il p r o c e e d in g s u n t i l I have a chance t o c o n f e r w i t h Mr. S tone and know more o f th e d e t a i l s .
Ve rv respectfully .
- T ' i i ryr es pe ctfu l l y.
F . C. C am pbell, S u p e r i n t e n d e n t
6—1142
D E P A R T M E N T OF T H E I N T E R I O R
U n i t e d S t a t e s I n d i a n F i e l d S e r v i c e
B la c k fe e t Agency Browning, Montana March 6 , 1926
Mr. F. C. Campbell
•Fort 'iVabhakie, » yoon g .
My dear Mr . Camphell:
I am e n c lo s in g h erew ith th e m in u tes o f th e T r ib a l -b u sin ess C ou n cil m eetin g and a l s o th e t r a n s c r ip t o f t h e e n t i r e m e e tin g a s ta k e n by Mrs. L ieu r a n c e .
From th e s t a r t t h in g s were about a s had a s th e y c o u ld h e a s f a r a s any ev id en ce o f a c o n s t r u c t iv e program o f any k in d was c o n c ern ed .
A fte r th e “o u n c il had e l e c t e d H am ilton a s ch aiim an and h ic k Grant a s s e c r e ta r y they p ro ceed ed w ith the b u s in e s s th e y had i n m ind. McCabe was p r e s e n t and was in v i t e d by H am ilton to make a t a l k . H is op en in g t a l k was not so bad and t h i s was f o llo w e d by some d is c u s s io n w hich to o k th e a fte r n o o n up u n t i l a b o u t f i v e o ' c l o c k . McCabe a d d r e sse d th e C ou n cil a g a in a t th a t tim e and r e q u e ste d them to c o n s id e r th e q u e s t io n o f your rem oval. I to o k seme p a r t in t h i s argument s o l e l y on th e grounds o f i t n ot b e in g th e proper proced u re f o r th e C o u n cil t o c o n s id e r an a d m in is tr a tiv e m a tter o f t h i s k in d and was su p p o rted by Joe and i c k . th e re were f u l l y tw en ty o f th e program su p p o r te r s in th e h a l l and one a f t e r a n o th e r g o t up and p r o t e s t e d a g a in s t such a m a tter b in g v o te d on by th e C o u n c il, and th e Chair f i n a l l y r u le d th a t t h i s was a lt o g e t h e r p rop er and th a t a v o te would be ta k e n . Joe Brovm g o t up and l e f t th e C o u n cil room and r e fu s e d t o v o te on i t , m a in ta in in g th a t i t was im proper f o r a m otion o f th a t k in d to 00“ ® b e fo r e a T r ib a l B u sin e ss C o u n cil and th a t he would n o t go on r e c o r a s a in g p a rt in a procedure o f th a t n a tu r e . T h is was no in d ic a t io n o f d i s l o y a l t y how ever, on J o e 's p a r t a s he made th r e e or fo u r very s tr o n g t a lk s in b e h a lf o f th e program and your b e h a lf a s su p e r in te n d e n t. The v o te sto o e gh o two f o r your rem oval and one n o t v o t in g . John L i t t l e B laze re u se o vo e one way or th e o th e r and L ick and P e te F l i n t , o f c o u r s e , v o ted n o. i e v o te was n a tu r a lly a fo rg o n e c o n c lu s io n i f i t came to a v o te and my p a r t i c i p a tio n in th e argum ents on th e m a tter was s o l e ly f o r th e purpose o f b o ls e in g up th e courage o f th e program su p p o r te r s who were p r e s e n t.
The C ou n cil a sk ed t o co n tin u e t h e i r m eetin g u n t i l the newt day and I co n se n ted to t h i s . N o th in g o f any p a r t ic u la r i n t e r e s t happened on the second day e x cep t what w ould be shown in th e m inu tes and the t r a n s c r i p t .
unday Monday and T uesday I was i n h e d w ith t h e ” f l u " an d u n a b le to h T o u ^ o f t h e \ o u s e . The m in u te s an d t r a n s c r i p t w i l l show p r e t t y w e ll w iiat t r a n s p i r e d *
The M rs. Moore i n c i d e n t r e f e r r e d t o i s one t h a t I do n o t y o u c a n make w h a te v e r com m ents y o u f e e l l i k e m aking
y e r y t r u l y y o u r s ,
F o r r e s t h . S to n e , A c tin g S u p e r in te n d e n t
B la o k fe o t A gency,
Browning .iio n tu n a U r. P.O .C am pbell \ S h o s h o n e Indian A g e n c y
F o r t Uashakie, Wyoming.
My d e a r U r. C am pbells „ t o w u i m i y a l e t t e r « . « « « » w r i t t e n y o u . w hich 1 * Bh ^ « a i I'5foXlovJiBP th e oioBO o t o o u n c il l u r l e y B e a r 's p la c e on ^ h u r s d a y +i ^ among t h e supporters m e e tin g on S u o sd ay . I t h i n k th e r e a c o io n o a^ ^ c a r . f o r o f th e Program h as b een ^ . 4 in t o r e s ^ e d i n g tip p x e g sln g in s t a n c e , i s much more a c t i - J h o s p i t a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n aJid H am ilto n th a n he h as 7 ^ bo“ : t i f 8e ! S to have l e f t a good t h e move to p u t you o u t o f p o s i i how ever t h a t we have d e a l o f r ig h t e o u s hav e t o ta k e 3 one d e c id e d a t mid a r r i v e d a t th e tim e when we w i l a l s o B e lie v e t h a t a g a i n s t i n t e r f o r e n o e o f men ^ ^ ^ f o f f i c e v e ry d e f i n i t e l y we s h o u ld g e t t h e v ie w s o f h - . . . n ro p o so d b y th e s t a t e d a s to th e m o n th ly m e * tin g s t h a . a P 1 u n d e r s ta n d - b u s in e e s c o u n c i l . Bhen th e y 6 4 J ^ r n e d i t ^ ^ . ^ e f f e c t t h a t th e y i n g . and th e m o tio n was p a s s e d an d o a r r w a to ^ In e i t U n f i m would m eet t h i r t y d ay s from idate o f u d j ^ 'ao etijlg > w h ile UoCabe th e c o u n c il room on th e f i r s t dai - > waa B eing o o E fc itted was p r e s e n t , I h a d t h o t ’o o lin g - c o u n c i l . He was w ith o u t any i n th e o p e r a tio n o f t h e d f f a i r s o i '« n s ta n o o t o a la w y e r, ana p r i v i l e g e s t h a t m ig h t be a c c o rd e d w‘ worj, 'b y a b ra n o h o f h is i n t e n t was to o b s t r u c t tim e s d is c u s s e d n a t t e r s th e O o v e r m e i r t . I ^ a U l f f c M c o n n e c tio n ask ed him to c o f t h i s k in d w ith H r. I r v i n , an a in -n* th i(J m o rn in g , come t o th e o f f i c e a t h ie ^ n v o n i e n a e and h o ^cao %Q Hi® viow a a r e v e ry e t r o n g o n t h e s j m * f in d i n g what la w s have make a l l th e r e s e a r c h he p o o s ib ly o,n v i o l a t e th e boon v i o l a t e d . He f o o ls p o n i t i v e t h a t ^ ^ b e d ld n w fa<} d id t . law when ho up o a re d b e f o r e t h e ^ £ n£ n d e n t 'B o u t h o r l t y and he l a e q u a lly s u r e t h a t t h e S u p er lQ a t m in f o ro e aB f a r ° a ? e x o lu d in g f t h i s o h a ra o ter from th e l i m i t s o f the r e se r v a t io n . you w i l l remember th a t th e f f i ' u l “ f i . v a rio u s p erso n s l a s t summer men * • ^© xiove th e r e a c t i n ivom „ t o w u i m i y a l e t t e r « . « « « » w r i t t e n y o u . w hich 1 * Bh ^ « a i I'5foXlovJiBP th e oioBO o t o o u n c il l u r l e y B e a r 's p la c e on ^ h u r s d a y +i ^ among t h e supporters m e e tin g on S u o sd ay . I t h i n k th e r e a c o io n o a^ ^ c a r . f o r o f th e Program h as b een ^ . 4 in t o r e s ^ e d i n g tip p x e g sln g in s t a n c e , i s much more a c t i - J h o s p i t a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n aJid H am ilto n th a n he h as 7 ^ bo“ : t i f 8e ! S to have l e f t a good t h e move to p u t you o u t o f p o s i i how ever t h a t we have d e a l o f r ig h t e o u s hav e t o ta k e 3 one d e c id e d a t mid a r r i v e d a t th e tim e when we w i l a l s o B e lie v e t h a t a g a i n s t i n t e r f o r e n o e o f men ^ ^ ^ f o f f i c e v e ry d e f i n i t e l y we s h o u ld g e t t h e v ie w s o f h - . . . n ro p o so d b y th e s t a t e d a s to th e m o n th ly m e * tin g s t h a . a P 1 u n d e r s ta n d - b u s in e e s c o u n c i l . Bhen th e y 6 4 J ^ r n e d i t ^ ^ . ^ e f f e c t t h a t th e y i n g . and th e m o tio n was p a s s e d an d o a r r w a to ^ In e i t U n f i m would m eet t h i r t y d ay s from idate o f u d j ^ 'ao etijlg > w h ile UoCabe th e c o u n c il room on th e f i r s t dai - > waa B eing o o E fc itted was p r e s e n t , I h a d t h o t ’o o lin g - c o u n c i l . He was w ith o u t any i n th e o p e r a tio n o f t h e d f f a i r s o i '« n s ta n o o t o a la w y e r, ana p r i v i l e g e s t h a t m ig h t be a c c o rd e d w‘ worj, 'b y a b ra n o h o f h is i n t e n t was to o b s t r u c t tim e s d is c u s s e d n a t t e r s th e O o v e r m e i r t . I ^ a U l f f c M c o n n e c tio n ask ed him to c o f t h i s k in d w ith H r. I r v i n , an a in -n* th i(J m o rn in g , come t o th e o f f i c e a t h ie ^ n v o n i e n a e and h o ^cao %Q Hi® viow a a r e v e ry e t r o n g o n t h e s j m * f in d i n g what la w s have make a l l th e r e s e a r c h he p o o s ib ly o,n v i o l a t e th e boon v i o l a t e d . He f o o ls p o n i t i v e t h a t ^ ^ b e d ld n w fa<} d id t . law when ho up o a re d b e f o r e t h e ^ £ n£ n d e n t 'B o u t h o r l t y and he l a e q u a lly s u r e t h a t t h e S u p er lQ a t m in f o ro e aB f a r ° a ? e x o lu d in g f t h i s o h a ra o ter from th e l i m i t s o f the r e se r v a t io n . you w i l l remember th a t th e f f i ' u l “ f i . v a rio u s p erso n s l a s t summer men * • ^© xiove th e r e a c t i n ivom
3.
Bird Rattler w anted to go a ls o and 1 allo w ed him t o go w ith D ick.
i t had n o t been ny p la n to do aa euoJi f i e l d work a s I w ill need to d o , &e th e o f f i c e work n eed s my a t t e n t i o n , but th e o o n tin u ed good w eath er makes i t alm o st im p e ra tiv e to g e t t h i ngs s t a r t e d .
wo a re a d v e r tis in g to d ay f o r oh u t §4000.0 o f m achinery r e p a i r s , seed w h eat, p o ta to e s , sw eet C lover and Brome g r a s s .
rfhe work has been c r i p p l e d i n t h i s d i s t r i c t to a one e x te n t b u t h r . Hogeed i s back a g a in on th e jo b , a f t e r h av in g been la id up th ro e w eeks, and ie g e ttin g th e work p r e t t y w ell in hand a g a in .
Very tr u ly ’ y o u r a ,
A ctin g S u p e rin te n d e n t,
Browning, •ont<i..a. iiaroh 4,15)26.
Mr, f t C. Campbell, -
Superintendent nlackfe<*t Agency,
brow ning, Montana.
My deer r . Campbell:
tee from each a p ta k e r . The o ld nan and Chapter u f* ia or8 a l l In war path a g a ln et th e p r e s e n t o o u n o il, tiiooe that voted for your d isch arge as Superintendenf o f S la o k f e e t Indian^ B eserra tio n ,
Curley B ear tnlfcod f i r s t . 1 want e v e ry young man to g et busy uni p re p a re f o r th e s p r i g w ork. She ground i s thawed now. I want every one o f you to sig n th e p e t i t i o n to have a man s e n t out to in v e s t i g a t e th e ch arg ee a g a i n s t our Superintendent.
B u ll C I f . i do n o t l i k e the way th e ir lb a l Council sta r te d out in dieoLargiug our Supt. and a g a in et our f iv e your program. Xou are a l l hoard what Governor -rick a o n aula about our Program. Governor said you arc in r ig h t road, th a t proven th e s to r ie s o f Boh Hamilton- w olf flum e- Joe Spanish- Jim .fciteO alx ■nd B ides a t th e Joor ta lk ed about k ille d the F ive y e a r urogram. xlntyrsiddt-We- arc goin g r ig h t ahead w ith our sp ring work, bring your plow sharer, to the Shop,
Bird B a t t le r . A l i a r is: more dangerous than a thief. Because you can watch a t l d e f . t- u oaavr.it watch l i a r .
S p lit uaxs a oke up say 1. g . Bob H am ilton i s both, a l i a r am t h i e f . Uy frien d s i f the Indian o flie © scud ran out h e r e , l e t ue a l l s t ic k to g eth er and f ig h t fo r our r ig h te and fo r our uperintoudent.
;.h ite Quiver. She a c tio n o f Bob Hamilton i t hurt me. l e t us stand by our Supt and f ig h t . *<o need nr * Campbell alv+oe and lea d er sh ip . l e t us turn around got a f t e r them fo r f a ls e charges a g a in et Mr. Campbell, the oounoil m eeting open by Bob Hamilton in few words, then F r a n k McCabe take th© f lo o r of the aftern oon , t e l l i n g th e members to make motio n to disch arge Mr. Campbell. i'.cOnbe i s w hite man. Uy fr ie n d s romensbor oCabe n n o tio n .
alack.<00301. four Chapter -fflo o r s you ore chosen by your 'members not Superintendent. She lea d ersh ip o f ..r.Campb 11 i s mors important than Bob Hamilton. We are working for the betterm ent o f our r e se r v a tio n . I f we g e t a raan the In.tlaa
O ffic e we want to stand together and t a l l him to d isch a rges the fo llo w in g ember* o f 'i'rlbal C ouncil- .
Sob ; um ilt a , Hides a t the ho r , » e l f Flume. Jim ; a u ieh , John wren, »m.kipp f it s p a t r io k ana ila tt ^ .iit s p a t r ic k . and R ichard G rant.
- 2 -
m♦ - a 5fh0 iiT© l « u rograxs le a lre a d y approved
t o th e Con is s io i.e r and a n o th e r f iv e y e a rs fo r f ^ L h e
?? f - ie n d s d e n t w orry ab o u t th e o h arg es made by f ra n k ^ c a h s
P id d le ilid e r . l e t u. s t
a rt- r i g h t away w it; our work,
H-ind. th e a g i t a t o r s a r e weak and l i a r s . s e a ro a l l going to be h ere f o r th e f ig h t when t i e o« b« . L et ub make re q u e s t
th lurk our -»pt« f o r th e i i e a p roved o f th e o o u o o il- o e p e e ia U ^ a l l th o e e v o ? « d to h iv e to .C em p b ell d is c h a rg e d . She f a lo e charge i s enough to o u t them o u t.
fiesBBlhead. ob H am ilton, J i n o h lte O e lf. S 1 4 « a t th e n ■>>- th e v doing n o th in g b u t n t e t r o u b le s . e<ua « h lte C a lz ,u ia a e a r tn e
n r - t i e " s t a r t e d f i g h t a g a in s t UfcJor U o n te a th . 1 was policem an.
l % f ; 0w t h c i in j a i l but Cold V i t h o r escap ed and went to
Canada* and he ha« been th e r e e v e r e in o e . She p re u e n t e u u n d il going to do more tr o u b le and arm . She b e s t th in g to do h-ve th e * d isc h a rg e d in a te a d o f n r . C am pbell.
Swo aim ..r i t e C a l f . Uy f r i e n d s . I m p ii:« t 3 • :^ e » re q u e s t th a t l a . l e t up auk th e Government to g iv e nob h u m ilto n h is dee p a te n t f o r h ie 80 a c re hom estead.
'wen B e a v y S re a st. E very b ig nan o r o f f i c i a l i s f r ie n d o f our v iv c Year program, no »' have n o th in g to f e a r . Bob H am ilton l « » d # r * h l p l 8 t i e t r i s e n t a 'i . U r. Campbell ir- m r tr u e f r ie n d and wo s h a l l s t a n d by him.
i r r i n i t ' i f luroe. Jivery t i n e we m iss a now **• ilw ays euspeoted ti e a g i t a t o r s to k i l l i t . 1 want you to not S«t diM O ur-aged on account o f th e aotiOMo o f f r a n k *
a re goin g t o .’how them up and we a l l know Bob e p o st h i s t o r y .
John ..u r r la g s . X have a lr e a d y made my » ro R lse t0 by th e Government. -jut raid -w in ter f a i r sp eak s f o r i t s e l f . * w ill bo here when th e t i e a o n e s.
J u r iu o r Id P e rs o n . Away b e fo re r . Campbell 0«me in to u r m id s t, he started h i s « paign to b e t t e r th e c o n d itio n s o a o u r
l e f t fo r Canada ana e ta y th o rn n e a rly two months arm th e weeds and f «to h i^ n d estro y ed t h e i r oro n e- they blamed th e lan d and - t o t . n o r o f our s t a t e Bays- you a ro d o in g good work and y u a r e on th e r i g h t ro a d . Mover mind th e a g i t a t o r s - a l l g et our work done r ig h t away.
Bob H am ilton and h ie f o l l o w e r r«*ovea
to handle our a f f a i r s lik e Bob 9 Xo t he o ffio * c a llin g
b K ? y -2 T S - . 2 ^ ? * ' * * 1 « 60111810 te U him to go to Bob fo r help# ■ * * * * * *?*u g; % * £ ? & a to b u t s»fca tro u b le# . * j» o * . ®o rk . j a*» aleo on mx - a th me they try in g *? fL S i--o O a b o , an : h la n o tio n , a g a in s t Bob Hamilton ana rranu *'row ..OBSaltNtwl. • RTSS... £•«•< ,.» K JSS n s « k2 2 X u i « • « « • 1 jf.
y o u r f r i e n d
DE P A R T M E N T OF T H E IN T E R IO R
U n i t e d S t a t e s I n d i a n F i e l d S e r v i c e
B l a c k f e e t Agency B ro w n in g , Montaa a M arch 9 , 1926
W a s h in g to n , D. C,
I d e s i r e t o t r a n s m i t h e r e w i t h t h e m in u te s o f t h e T r i b a l C o u n c il h e l d a t t h e Agency C o u n c il room F e b r u a ry 2 5 , 2 6 , M arch 1 , a n d 2 , 1 9 2 6 .
I t w i l l be n o t e d t h a t a f t e r t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e C o u n c il t h a t t h e C h a ir i n v i t e d S e n a to r F . A McCabe t o ^ a d d r e s s ^ t h e C° ^ o° ^ e , s
o f the^ r h a ? t h e SS " b a l
c a l l u pon th e d e p a rtm e n t f o r a s t a .emen ± ^ G overnm ent em-
s u b m it f o r t h e c r i t i c i s m o f th e C o u n c il he P i ^ ^ C o u n c il s h o u ld p lo y e e s a n d o t h e r re m a rk s w hic a so r . p u rp o s e o f
make a n e f f o r t to s e c u re a n • • r e m a r k , d id n o t
w i th o u t com m ent.
f o r a l e a s e fro m t s . J . A. A n d e rso n o f Bomboy. The
Low er Two M e d ic in e L ake w h ic h S i t i t b e a d v e r t i s e d f o r
l e a s e w as g r a n te d by th e v o u n c i I . . . t h a n *120 p e r annum . Ad-
t h i r t y c a y s i n a n e f f o r t t o ^ b e # i S > n £ t e d f o r O f f ic e
v e r t i s e r e n t s a r e o u t “ ^ ^ ^ d v e ^ i s i n g p e r i o d . T h e re i s
S - S S S V i r - T m . l e a s e s h o u ld n o t be a p p ro v e d .
a n a p p l i c a t i o n w as maae fro m A r th u r 5 S * S P «
p e r m i s s io n t o p u t up i c e on Low er xwo ^ c o u n c i l ” an d i t i s recom m ended t o n . T h is a p p l i c a t i o n w as « r a ^ ® d ^ a r e c e i v e u be t a k e n u p to th e c r e d i t t h a t t h e some be a p p ro v e d a n a th e money ^ 0Un c i l w h ic h c a l l e d f o r any
o f t h e t r i b a l f u n d s . A m o tio n ^ th e r a t e o f p e r
i c e s o l d fro m th e r e s e r v a t i o n l a k e s b g o f f i c e t h a t ic e on t h e r e s e r -
t o n . I n t h i s c o n n e c tio n I w is h ^ ’ i * t r o S u o t L d I t h a s n o t b e e n th e v a t io n h a s n o t b e e n h e l d w h ere i c e w as s e c u r e d fro m l a k e s t h a t
£
sh o u ld be ap p ro v ed inasm uch -a th e q u a n t i t i e s a re sm a ll and a p p a r e n tly th e t r i b e s u f f e r s in no way by p e r m it tin g p eo p le t o p u t up ic e from th e la k e s . The a p p l i c a t i o n from Keevan was from o f f th e r e s e r v a t i o n and c o n te m p la te d a q u a n tity o f s e v e r a l h u n d red to n s . A sm a ll ch arg e f o r a q u a n tity o f t h i s s iz e w ould seem p r o p e r , w h ile a c h a rg e o f £6^ p e r to n to lo c a l w h ite men l i v i n g on th e r e s e r v a ti o n who a re p u tt i n g up ic e f o r t h e i r own u se w ould n o t seem to be a p a r a l l e l c a s e . However, I th in k i t w ould be p ro p e r f o r u s t o make th e £0<f. p e r to n c h a rg e f o r ic e p u t up f o r com m ercial p u rp o s e s e i t h e r o f f o r on th e r e s e r v a ti o n .
An a p p li c a t i o n f o r a le a s e p re s e n te d by C has. A. Burd f o r lle r c e r &
H i l l c o m p ris in g 1 0 ,8 4 3 .6 1 a c r e s o f t r i b a l f o r e s t r y la n d was ap p ro v ed a t th e r a t e o f 1 0 / an a c r e b u t th e C o u n c il fo llo w e d t h i s a c ti o n by p a s s in g a r e s o l u t i o n l a t e r t h a t a l l new le a s e s w ould n o t be a llo w e d f o r le s s th a n 1 5 / sin a c r e and e x p r e s s ly s t a t e d t h a t t h i s w ould a ls o a p p ly to th e M ercer & H i l l l e a s e . I have n o t a s y e t h e a rd from th e ^“e r c e r & H i l l p e o p le as to w h e th e r th e y w i l l m eet th e advance o f 5 / a n a c r e b u t am a d v is e d in “ fo r m a lly t h a t th e y w i l l n o t do s o . T here i s no o th e r a p p l i c a t i o n f o r t h i s la n d and a p p a r e n tly i f th e a c ti o n o f th e C o u n cil i s s u s ta in e d th e t r i b e w i l l lo s e s e v e r a l th o u s a n d d o l l a r s by r e f u s i n g to g r a n t t h i s le a s e a t th e 1 0 / r a t e , a lth o u g h i t i s p o s s ib le t h a t su b s e q u e n t a p p l i c a ti o n s w i l l be r e c e iv e d a t a h ig h e r r a t e . There i s no t a li k l i h o o d o f t h i s , c o n s id e r in g th e l o c a t i o n o f th e la n d an d i t i s b e lie v e d t h a t t h i s a p p li c a ti o n sh o u ld be ap p ro v ed a t th e 1 0 / r a t e a n d th e le a s e e n te r e d in t o a c c o r d in g ly .
V a rio u s r e s o l u ti o n s fo llo w e d t h i s a c ti o n o f th e Go u n c il w hich w i l l be shwwn in th e t r a n s c r i p t w hich is s u b m itte d w ith th e m in u te s .
S e n a to r McCabe p r e s e n te d to th e C o u n c il th e m a tte r o f w h e th e r o r n o t th ey Ehould go on r e c o r d a s b e in g in f a v o r o f k e e p in g Mr. C am pbell a s S u p e rin te n d e n t, a n d a f t e r some d is c u s s io n th e C o u n c il p a ss e d a r e s o l u ti o n a s k in g f o r h i s rem oval by a v o te o f e i g h t i n fa v o r o f h i s rem oval, two opp o se d and one n o t v o tin g . A memorandum a p p e a rs a tta c h e d to th e t r a n s c r i p w hich shows a v o te ta k e n by each C ouncilm an. I to o k s o m e p a r t i n th e s e d i s c u s s io n s f o r th e re a s o n t h a t I d id n o t w ant a m o tio n o f t h i s k in d to ; p a s s to o q u ic k ly o r u n c h a lle n g e d . The C o u n c il h a l l was f a i r l y w e ll f i l l e d s u p p o r te r s o f th e program and my i n t e r e s t was s o le y t o b o l s t e r «P C0UT&ee o i th e s e s u p p o r te r s i n d e fe n d in g th e program and t h e i r s u p e r in te n d e n t. d is c u s s io n s b e fo r e th e C o u n cil were s o le ly a lo n g th e l i n e s o f th e p r o p r ie y o f th e B u sin e s s C o u n cil t a k i n g an a c tio n o f t h i s k in d inasm uch a s th e y - an a d v is o ry body r a t h e r th a n an a d m in is tr a tiv e b ra n c h . Joe Brown and H ic h a rd S a n d e r v ille were q u i t e a c ti v e a s cou n cilm en in such *°n
by th e C o u n c il. T here was no q u e s tio n i n my mind as to what th e r e s u l t of th e v o te would be when i t came to a v o te and inasm uch as *oe Brown re a s o n e d
th a t th e m a tte r was one t h a t sh o u ld n o t be c o n s id e re d by th e C o u n c il, he got
u ^ t th e T o T c lu s io n o f th e d is c u s s io n and l e f t th e h a l l an d re f u s e d to v o te
one way o r th e o th e r on th e is i-u e .
- 3 -
The m in u tes o f th e m e e tin g show t h a t a number o f r e s o lu t i o n s were p a s s e d and th e t r a n s c r i p t w i l l i n d i c a te w hat a c t i o n th e C o u n cil to o k .
" n a p p l i c a ti o n was b ro u g h t b e fo re th e T r ib a l C o u n c il f o r a le a s e on a n i s l a n d on Lower S t. M a ry 's L ake. A lso an a p p l i c a t i o n was p r e s e n te d f o r a c o n c e s s io n to o p e r a te row b o a ts , a n d m otor b o a ts on Lower S t.
Mary 's L ake. These a p p l i c a ti o n s w ere p r e s e n te d by H. W. Main and a copy * o f h is a p p l i c a ti o n s a re s u b m itte d h e r e w ith . I do n o t b e lie v e t h a t th e w a te r o f S t. M apy's Lake o r th e is la n d d e s c r ib e d a s b e in g i n Lower S t.
M a ry 's Lake w ould come u n d e r th e j u r i s d i c t i o n of th e T r ib a l C o u n c il o r o f t h i s O f f ic e . I t i s ny u n d e rs ta n d in g t h a t t h i s sh o u ld p r o p e r ly be p r e s e n te d to th e d e c la m a tio n S e rv ic e a n d I recommend t h a t any a c tio n lo o k in g to th e a p p ro v a l of th e s e a p p l i c a t i o n s be d e f e r r e d u n t i l t h e s t a tu s o f t h e p r o p e r ty i s d e f i n i t e l y d e te rm in e d . The i s l a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r r e f e r r e d t o i s one t h a t i t would a p p e a r would be e n t i r e l y subm erged i f th e S t. Mary s d e c la m a tio n p r o j e c t c a r r i e s o u t t h e i r e x te n s io n p la n s . I n d is c u s s in g t h i s m a tte r w ith lur . M ain, i t i s h i s d e s i r e to have t h i s p e rm it and le a s e g r a n te d i n th e n a tu r e of a c o n c e s s io n an d d e s i r e s t h a t he be p r o t e c te d in h i s exc lu s iv e r i g h t s o f th e sam e.
The m in u tes of th e C o u n c il m e e tin g show t h a t o th e r r e s o l u t i o n s were^ a d o p te d an d th e p u rp o se o f th e s e r e s o l u ti o n s w i l l be shown i n th e t r a n s c r i p t .
Among o th e r b u s in e s s 1 d om ing b e fo re th e C o u n cil i t w i l l be n o te d a r e th e a u p li c a ti o n s f o r th e e n ro llm e n t o f th e Henry F ord fa m ily o f H elen a, M ontana. The A p p lic a tio n s a re e n c lo s e d h e re w ith an d i t i s presum ed t h a t t h i s w i l l be J C / a m a tte r d e te rm in e d by law inasm uch a s th e In d ia n s named a re c h il d r e n and r-1 g ra n d c h ild r e n o f one o f th e n o n - r e s e r v a t io n In d ia n s who i s a l l o t t e d i n t h e
H elena s e r i e s . I t i s r e q u e s te d t h a t th e O ffic e r e n d e r a d e c is io n i n th e m a tte r a s i t w i l l te n d t o c l e a r up th e q u e s tio n s t h a t a re cons t a i t l y a r i s i n g a s to th e In d ia n r i g h t s o f t h i s group o f p eo p le and o th e r s who were a l l o t t e d a s n o n - r e s e r v a tio n I n d ia n s .
An a p p li c a ti o n was f i l e d by George A. Jud so n f o r an o i l and gas le a s e c o m p risin g * 2241.08 a c r e s . T his was p a s s e d upon f a v o r a b ly by th e C o u n c il and i s a n u t t e r t h a t we have a lr e a d y c o rre sp o n d e d w ith th e O ffic e on . I i s recommended t l a t th e sane be a p p ro v e d .
V a rio u s o th e r r e s o l u t i o n s w ere p a s s e d by th e C o u n cil w hich w i l l show in th e t r a n s c r i p t . A ll o f th e s e a p p e a r to have b een p r e p a r e d and p r e s e n t toy Kotoerto J« Hamil'toii#
The n e x t a c t i o n ta k e n by th e C o u n cil t h a t c a l l s f o r comments was th e
te s tim o n y o f a num ber o f I n d ia n s b e fo r e th e C o u n c il who th e
npHt h of George Wren h ad b een i n d i r e c t l y c a u se d by M rs. Ada G. M oore, th e f i e l d n a tr o n , inasm uch a s M rs. Moore la d d e t a i l e d Wren to d u t i e s a t th e H o s p it a l t h a t w ere c la im e d t o be th e cause of h is » ■ *
I aln m aking t h i s m a tte r th e s u b j e c t of a V ° he
th e m in u tes o f th e C o u n cil in re g a r d t h e r e to and th e t r a n s c r i p t ta k e n
s te n o g r a p h e r .
C o n cern in g th e m o tio n t h a t th e T r ib a l C o u n cil he a llo w e d * 4 .0 0 p e r diem w h ile on d u ty , i t does n o t a p p e a r to t h i s O ffic e t h a t th e d u t i e s o f th e T r ib a l C o u n cil a re o f su ch im p o rtan ce a s to w a rra n t t h i s expendi t u r e o f fu n d s . I t w i l l be n o te d t h a t t h i s m otion is fo llo w e d by one t h a t r e s o lv e s t h a t th e C ouncil s h a l l meet on th e f i r s t lionaay o f each m onth. I t w i l l be r e a d i ly u n d e rs to o d t h a t i f th e second m o tio n was a p p ro v ed t h a t i t w ould cause th e T r ib a l C o u n cil to be on pay f o r a cons id e r a b le p e r io d of the y e a r an d a u to m a tic a lly c a l l f o r th e e x p e n d itu re o f a c o n s id e r a b le sum o f m e y to them a s s a l a r i e s .
B efo re com m enting on e i t h e r o f th e s e two r e s o lu ti o n s i t i s u rg e d t h a t th e O ffic e a d v is e u s j u s t w hat i s th e s t a t u s o f th e T r ib a l b u s in e s s C o u n c il. I t has alw ays b een my u n d e rs ta n d in g t h a t t h i s C o u n c il met and r e c e iv e d o f f i c i a l r e c o g n itio n o n ly when c a ll e d by th e S u p e rin te n d e n t. I f a llo w e d to m eet when th e y p le a s e an d upon c a l l o f th e C hairm an, th e r e is ev ery re a s o n to b e lie v e t h a t th e C o u n cil w ould be i n s e s s io n h a lf o f th e ti n e an d a g r e a t d e a l o f t h a t tim e w ould be ta k e n up w ith b u s in e s s t h a t w ould be e i t h e r d i r e c t l y h a rm fu l t o th e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f th e t r i b e o r would n o t be o f any p a r t i c u l a r im p o rtan ce t o th e t r i b e . There i s n o th in g to le a d one to b e lie v e t h a t th e r e i s any re a s o n f o r them t o m eet as o f te n a s once a month o r any r e a s o n f o r th em m e e tin g a t any tim e e x c e p t a s c a l l e d by th e S u p e rin te n d e n t. However, i t is r e q u e s te d t h a t th e O ffic e a d v is e us d e f i n i t e l y on t h i s p o in t p r i o r to th e f i r s t ifonday o f A p r il , a t w hich tim e th e y p ro p o se to a g a in co n v en e.
I have n o t commented on a l l o f th e a c ti o n s ta k e n by th e C o u n cil b u t have a tte m p te d to co v e r th e more im p o rta n t p o i n t s . I t i s n o t se e n w here many o f t i e r e s o l u t i o n s and m o tio n s p a s s e d c a ll e d f o r th e a d m i n is tr a tiv e a .ro v a l o f th e In d ia n O f f ic e , a n a i n a g r e a t many o f th e s e th e ten d en cy v o u ld seem to be t h a t th e a c ti o n ta k e n b y*the C o u n c il was n o t w ith in th e pow ers o f th e I n d ia n O ffic e to ap p ro v e, e v e n tho u g h i t sh o u ld be h e ld as b e n e f i c i a l to th e t r i b e a s a w h o le.
The t r a n s c r i p t o f th e e n t i r e p ro c e e d in g s w i ll show in d e t a i l th e d i s c u s s io n s su rro u n d in g th e s e r e s o lu ti o n s and m o tio n s , and sh o u ld any f u r t h e r i n fo rm a tio n be r e q u ir e d and th e O ffic e w i l l a d v is e u s a s to w hat i s d e s ir e d , we w i l l a tte m p t to o b ta in th e same.
Vexy r e s p e c t f u l l y ,
F o r r e s t S. S+one, A c tin g S u p erin te n d en t.
Brow ning, Montana
B la c k f e e t Agency M arch 6, 1926
MEETING OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL
FEBHBARY 2 5 , 1926.
A m e e tin g o f th e T r ib a l C o u n cil h e ld a t th e Agency C tf\m cil Room,
F eb ru ary 25, 1926 a t one o 'c lo c k P.M . R o ll c a l l — t e n answ W e4 p r e s e n t and th r e e a b s e n t . S u p t. F o r r e s t R. S to n e p r e s id e d an d s t a t e d th e p u rp o se -of th e m e e tin g , w hich wae to o rg a n iz e t h e o f f i c e r s .
F i r s t to - nom inate th e Chairm an was i n o r d e r f o r th e new members o f th e T r ib a l C ouncil,w ho were e le c t e d by th e t r i b e on Ja n u a ry 26, 1926. R o b ert J . H am ilto n was n o m in ated and sec o n d e d . Jo sep h Brown was no m in ated an d seconded.
On m o tio n duly made an d seconded t h a t n o m in a tio n s be c lo s e d and c a r r i e d , R o b ert J . H am ilto n b e in g to r e c e iv e th e h ig h e s t v o te s was d u ly d e c la r e d a s perm anent P r e s id e n t o f th e T r ib a l C o u n c il.
Next i n o r d e r to nom inate th e S e c r e ta r y . Mr. Jo sep h Brown was n o m in ated bu t d e c lin e d th e n o m in a tio n . R ic h a rd G rant was n o m in ated an d d e c lin e d th e n o m in a tio n . W illia m Kipp an d John Wren w ere b o th nom in ated and b o th d e c lin e d th e n o m in a tio n . Upon th e r e q u e s t o f t h e S u p t. S tone t h a t some one o f th e members must be a p p o in te d a s S e c r e t a r y , Mr. G rant was n o m in ated a g a in and was a sk e d to re c o n s id e r th e n o m in a tio n w hich he had a lr e a d y r e f u s e d . Mr. G rant a c c e p te d th e n o m in a tio n .
H r. M att L y tle was n o m in ated n e x t . N om inations were c lo s e d . R ic h a rd G rant b e in g to r e c e iv e th e h ig h e s t v o te s , was e l e c t e d a s p erm anent S e c re ta ry o f th e T r ib a l C o u n c il.
The Chairm an c a l l e d th e m e e tin g t o o r d e r . Jam es W hite C a lf a sk e d to have th e members o f th e B la c k fe e t B u sin e ss C o u n c il to be sworn in w hich was c a r r i e d . The members were sworn in b e fo r e th e S u p t. S to n e . S e n a to r McCabe was c a l l e d by th e C hairm an to g iv e a t a l k t o th e members o f th e C o u n c il. 'The S e n a to r re sp o n d e d s t a t i n g t h a t he had li v e d h e re on th e R e s e r v a tio n f o r 17 y e a r s , e n c o u ra g in g th e C o u n c il an d th e T rib e to be u n it e d i n a l l t h e i r T r ib a l a f f a i r s , in o rd e r t h a t so m eth in g m ight be done and be a b le to a c c o m p lish fu n d s from th e Government f o r th e r e l i e f o f th e t r i b e . The S e n a to r a sk e d t h a t h i s s ta te m e n ts be a llo w e d t o go on th e r e c o r d t h a t a t th e p r e s e n t tim e th e C ongress w ere p r e p a r in g a p p r o p r ia tio n s f o r v a r io u s p u rp o s e s . T hat we s h o u ld a s k f o r ^ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 f o r th e purpose o f s e c u r in g L ive S to ck I n d u s tr y . T hereupon, S e n a to r e x p la in s th e re a s o n s why th e r a t e o f g r a z in g f e e s h o u ld n o t be r a i s e d from 10 c e n ts to any h ig h e r r a u e .
2 -
o f ic e t o be ta k e n from Two M edicine Lake a t 20 c e n ts p e r to n , the money d e riv e d fro m th e ic e ta k e n from Two M edicine Lake to be U B e& f o r T r ib a l fu n d s* M otion i s c a r r ie d *
On m o tio n d u ly made by Jo sep h Brown and Sedonded by Wm. K ipp t h a t i f any o th e i w h ite p e o p le w ish to g e t ic e from t h e same la k e th e y w i l l be c h a rg e d th e same r a t e , 20 c e n ts p e r to n . M otion i s c a r r i e d
.A p p lic a tio n o f M rs. J . A. A nderson, o f S s s e i , M ontana, f o r le a s e fo rm e rly had bv T B. Bomboy in th e Lower Two J“e d ic in e L ake. Mrs. A nderson o f f e r s *120 p e r annum and t o be a llo w e d th e same k in d o f a c o n tr a c t and p r i v i l e g e s is s u e d to Mr. Bomboy. On m o tio n made by u h airm an and Seconded by Mr. S p a n ish t h a . t h i s le a s e be a d v e r t i s e d f o r b id s f o r 30 days and a t th e end o f 30 days i f no b id s o f f e r e d , th e le a s e is to be g r a n te d t o M rs. J . A. A nderson. M otion i s c a r r i e d .
V e rb a l a p p li c a t i o n th ro u g h th e Agency O ffic e from K evin, f ^ / ° ° to be ta k e n from Two M edicine L ake. M otion d uly made by R ic h a rd S a n d e r v i l l ^ a n seco n d ed by Wm. K ipp t h a t we g ra n t th e a p p l i c a t i o n o f K evin p a r t y , -
" n a p p l i c a t i o n f o r le a s e p r e s e n te d by C has. A. B ird f o r M ercer an d H i l l Comp r i s i n g 1 0 ,8 4 3 .6 1 a c r e s f o r g r a z in g p u rp o s e s f o r sh e e p . A f te r due c o n s id e r a tio n on M ercer & H i l l le a s e m o tio n was made by W. K ipp and seconded by Mr . S p a n ish t h a t th e M ercer & H i l l lease be g r a n te d . M otion i s c a r r i e d .
R e s o lu tio n p r e p a r e d by H am ilto n to r a i s e th e g r a z in g f e e s by th e w ish of th e t r i b e to go on th e r e c o r d to ta k e e f f e c t f i r s t o f May, 1926.
D is p o s itio n o f ^ 1 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 w hich i s r e q u ir e d by Law to draw 3 p e r c e n t i n t e r e s t f o r so many y e a r s , w,.s n e x t in o rd e r f o r d is c u s s i o n . C hairm an e x p la in e d th e s i t u a t i o n o f th e 3 p e r c e n t i n t e r e s t m easu re, w hich i t was e s t im a te d to so m eth in g l i k e $ 1 7 1 3 ,0 0 0 .0 0 a s back payment to th e In d ia n s who were i n t e r e s t e d in th e B i l l .
Mr. Chairm an e x p la in s th e fo llo w in g new B i l l s b e e n in tro d u c e d — S^2714. i n t r o duced by M r. H a r r e ld to a u th o r iz e th e c a n c e l l a t i o n u n d e r c e r t a i n c o n d itio n s o f p a t e n ts i n fe e sim p le to I n a i a n s , and B i l l S . 1550 in tr o d u c e d by r . Iflh eeler.
Mr. H am ilton s t a t e d t h a t i r r i g a t i o n b i l l w hich e f f e c t s th e T r ib a l w a te r r i g h t s
had p a s s e d by S c o tt L e a v itt w ith o u t th e c o n se n t o f th e t r i b e , w hich w a te rs t o be c a r r y o u t from th e r e s e r v a t i o n to Toole c o u n ty d i s t r i c t . ***r. Brown d e n ie d H am ilto n s rem ark s by w hich Brown p o in t s o u t t h a t su ch an d su ch tim e t h e fo rm e r members o f th e T r ib a l C o u n cil c a l l s o u t c e r t a i n names o f th o se who were members o f t h a t C o u n c il w ere c a l l e d to a m e e tin g upon w h ich tim e t h i s I r r i g a t i o n m a tte r was ta k e n up w ith
th e Toole County a u t h o r i t i e s .
w hether o r n o t, y o u r Si to you to c o n s id e r and a f te r n o o n .
I w ant t h i s to be p u t up to th e C o u n c il a s a te g fc -v o te t h i s
3 -
now th e T rib a l C ouncil p o ssessed and a ls o an e x p la n a tio n on c itiz e n s h ip ^ i l l e n a cted by Congress two y ea rs ago whereby t h i s -**111 p laced the In d ian s r ig h t to vote sane as th e w hite people an d now th en we a re going to vote on th e is s u e .
On motion made by Wm. Kipp and seconded by John Wren th a t SUp t. F. C. Cefltpbell be removed, v o tes by r o l l c a l l 8 in fav o r o f th e m otion and 2 v o ted c o n tra ry ,
8 a b s e n te e s, one re fu s e d to v o te . Motion i s c a r rie d .
I t is moved and seconded t h a t we a d jo u rn u n t i l th e fo llo w in g day a t te n l* c lo ck A. U.
S la c k fe e t Agency Browning, Montana February 26, 1926
MEETING OF THE TRIBAL B USINESS COUNCIL FEBRUARY 26, 1926
l^he m inutes of th e m eeting of th e T rib a l C ouncil h eld a t th e Agency C ouncil Room February 25, 1926, a t one P . E. S o il c a l l—te n answ ered p re s e n t and th re e a b s e n t. Quorum p re s e n t to t r a n s a c t b u sin e ss. The Chairman th en announced th a t th e m eeting was opened fo r b u s in e s s .
R e so lu tio n No. 1
"JHERBAS, th e p res n t law which a u th o riz e th e B la c k fe e t, Blood, P iegan and Gros V entre N ations o r t r i b e s o f In d ia n s, r e s id i n g upon th e ^ la c k fe e t R eserv a tio n in th e S ta te of Montana, (HR 344^, 68th C ongress, approved- March 13, 1924) to a d ju d ic a te t h e i r claim s before th e Court o f C laim s, i s in our opinion in ad equate and is d e fe c tiv e in t h a t among o th e r th in g s a l l our claim s cannot be p ro p e r ly a d ju d ic a te d , under s a id law, and
WHEREAS, i t i s our o p in io n t h a t i t would work a g r e a t in ju s tic e to th e sa id In d ian s in a t t e s t i n g to f u r th e r p ro sec u te or p ro secu te our claim s under s a id a i t ,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, t h a t p ro p er and necessary s t e p s be tak en fo r the^ amending o f sa id a c t and to s e t a l l p ro ceed in g s had under s a id a c t u n t i l such time a s s a id a c t can be amended, t h a t th e s a id a c t should be so amended so as to subs t a n t i a l l y conform to th e a c t known a s Senate B i l l No. 3105 in tro d u c e d by S enator iVheeler, p ro v id in g fo r th e amending of s a id H R 3444 for and on b eh alf o F la th e a d N ation o r t r i b d o f In d ia n s, re s id in g on the F la th e a d R eserv atio n in
M ontana, and
BE IT FURTHER H .SOLVED, t h a t th e -“u s i n e s s C o u n c il, th ro u g h i t s o f f i c e r s , a re h e re b y i n s t r u c t e d , empowered, and a u th o r iz e d to do e v e r y th in g n e c e s s a ry i n c o n n e c tio n w ith e f f e c t i n g t h e am ending o f s a id a c t and t h a t s a id o f f i c e r s he i n s t r u c t e d t o p ro c e e d w ith o u t any d e la y to have th e s a i d j u r i s d i c t i o n a l a c t amended f o r an d on h e h a lf o f th e s a i d I n d ia n s r e s i d i n g on th e '“la c k f e e t r e s e r v a t i o n . "
A f te r due d is c u s s io n hy th e C o u n cil on R e s o lu tio n No. 1, m otion ws.s d u ly made hy Wm. Kipp and seconded hy Mr. S p an ish t h a t we d e f e r th e a c t i o n u n t i l
we h e a r from th e C o u rts o f C la im s. M otion i s c a r r i e d u n an im o u sly ,
R e s o lu tio n No. 2 .
"WHEREAS, i t h a s h e e n th e p r a c t i c e f o r some tim e on t h i s r e s e r v a ti o n to le a e e g r a z in g la n d f o r 10^ p e r a c r e , and
WHEREAS, fa rm in g la n d h a s h e r e t o f o r e heen le a s e d f o r 25p p e r a c r e , and
WHEREAS, th e s a i d r e n t a l s a r e in a d e q u a te , and
WHEREAS, In d ia n s ow ning 320 a c r e s , where th e same have heen le a s e d f o r 10j^ p e r a c r e , g iv e s such I n d ia n 4 3 2 .0 0 an d a t th e same tim e ta x e s a r e , on s a id h a l f s e c t io n a ro u n d 4 5 0 .0 0 , le a v in g a d e f i c ie n c y o f a h o u t .#18.00 and
HE IT THREFORE RESOLVED, t h a t we do n o t a p p ro v e o f such p r i n c i p l e s , an d t h a t we r e q u e s t a re a s o n a b le r e n t a l f e e he c h a rg e d a n d ,
WE FURTHER REQUEST, t h a t g r a z in g la n d s h o u ld n o t he le a s e d f o r any sum
l e s s th a n 20^ p e r a c r e , same t o ta k e e f f e c t May 1 , 1926, and t h a t fa rm in g la n d
sh o u ld n o t he le a s e d f o r k ss th a n 4 2 .5 0 p e r a c r e , and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, t h a t copy o f t h i s r e s o l u t i o n he m a ile d to o u r two
S e n a to rs an d Congressm an L e a v i t t . "
On m otion d u ly made a n d seco n d ed t h a t R e s o l u t i ^ No. 2 he changed i n s te a d o f a r a i s e from 10 c e n ts to 20 c e n ts , th e r a i s e he 12& c e n ts p e r a c r e . B eing a s t i e v o te , Mr. Chairm an was c a l l e d to v o te w hich he v o te d c o n tr a r y , l o t i o n l o s t .
On m o tio n ma, e hy Win. Kipp and seconded hy P e te r F l i n t t h a t no o u ts id e r s he a llo w e d to sp eak u n le s s p e r m itte d hy th e C hairm an. M otion i s c a r r i e d u n an im o u sly .
M otion made hy Joe S p a n ish an d seco n d ed hy W hite C a lf t h * t th e g r a z in g f e e s he r a i s e d from 10 c e n ts to 15 c e n ts p e r a c r e . M otion i s c a r r i e d hy s i x v o tin g in fa v o r o f i t an d f i v e v o te d c o n tr a r y .
Then was in o rd e r to change R e s o lu tio n No. 2 o r to s t r i k e o u t a l l o f th e # 2 .5 0 p a r a c r e . The r a i s e o f g r a z in g f e e s to ta k e e f f e c t hy Jaay 1 , ±926.
An a p p l i e a t i o n f o r le a s e o f th e is l a n d in th e lo w er S t . Marys Lake su b m itte d H -y ?A in c o m p risin g 2 4 .8 6 a c re s f o r w hich he a g r e e s to pay #25 p e r ye a - 2 , £ 2 r t S L n p t i . n » « » « » « « > e e x p i r a t i o n o f l . a . e f o r f i r . » e . r .
l o r e t o e r e c t summer c o tta g e s f o r t o u r i s t s and o th e r p e o p le . Was C ra n te d .
An a p p l i c a t i o n s u b m itte d hy H. W. M ain f o r a c o n c e s s io n t o o p e r a t e m otor b o a ts , e t c . , in th e lo w e r S t . Marys Lake f o r f i v e y e a r s , w i t h
5 -
o f re n e w in g i t f o r w h ic h he a g r e e s t o p a y $ 25 t h e f i r s t y e a r , $ 1 0 0 f o r th e se c o n d y e a r a n d *150 f o r e a c h a n d e v e r y y e a r t h e r e a f t e r , d u r i n g th e l i f e o f t h e c o n c e s s i o n , M o tio n w as d u ly made hy H a m ilto n a n d s e c o n d e d h y ^ r . K ipp t h a t t h e l e a s e o f H. W. M ains t o o p e r a t e row h o a t s , m o to r h o a t s , e t c . , he g r a n t e d . M o tio n i s c a r r i e d .
E n r o lle m s n t a p p l i c a t i o n hy H en ry F o rd f a m i l y o f H e le n a , M o n ta n a , was n e x t i n o r d e r . M o tio n made hy S a n d e r v i l l e a n d s e c o n d e d hy Jo h n Wren t h a t th e F o rd f a m i l y a p p l i c a t i o n f o r e n r o llm e n t he g r a n t e d . M o tio n i s c a r r i e d .
H e s o l u t io n N o. 7 .
"WHEHEAS, S . J . H e s . 2 6 , i n t r o d u c e d hy S e n a to r 'V h e e le r an d H. J . H. 1 2 , in tr o d u c e d h y C o n g ressm an E v a n s , a r e d e s ig n e d to e n a b le t h e I n d ia n s r e s i d i n g on t h e F l a t h e a d , B l a c k f e e t , C row , F o r t B e lk n a p , * o r t P e c k r e s e r v a t i o n s to i n s t i t u t e p r o c e e d in g s i n c o u r t to d e te r m in e t h e r i g h t o f t h e G overnm ent t o im pose an d c o l l e c t c h a r g e s f o r i r r i g a t i o n o r r e c l a m a ti o n p r o j e c t s o r f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o p e r a t i o n , o r m a in te n a n c e c o s t s o f su c h p r o j e c t s a g a i n s t S a i d I n d i a n s o r u pon l a n d s a l l o t t e d t o a n d f o r w h ic h t r u s t p a t e n t s have h e e n i s s u e d t o s u c h I n d i a n s a n d t o d e te rm in e w h e th e r su c h l a n a s c an l e g a l l y he s u b j e c t e d ^ a p r o r a t a c h a r g e f o r c o n s t r u c t i n g s y s te m s t o s u p p ly w a te r t h e r e t o f o r i r r i g a t i o n , a n d f o r o t h e r
p u r n o s e s ^ a n d i a Qf o o n s ia e r a h l e m oment, t o t h e B i a c k f e e t T r i h e o f
I n d i a n s a n d th e o t h e r I n d i a n s i n M o n ta n a , to h e g iv e n a n o p p o r t u n it y to he h e a r d
i n C o u r t l ° n T^ ^ ® 0“ HESOLVED, t h a t we r e s p e c t f u l l y u r g e C o n g re ss now i n s e s s i o n t o p a s s t h e s a i d p e n d in g h i l l s w ith o u t f u r t h e r d e l a y .
The a h o v e r e s o l u t i o n w as d u ly s u b m itte d , c o n s i d e r e d a n d 1 9 2 6 , a t a r e g u l a r m e e tin g o f th e B u s in e s s ^ o u n c il o f t h e BM c k f e e r I n a i a n
a t B l a c k f e e t A g en cy , M o n ta n a ."
M o tio n was d u ly made hy Mr. Brown a n d s e c o n d e d hy Ufa. K ipp t h a t we a d o p t t h e H e s o l u t i o n . l o t i o n c a r r i e d u n a n im o u s ly .
On m o tio n d u ly made and s e c o n d e d t h a t t h e m e e tin g a d jo u r n u n t i l M onday,
M arch 1 , 1 9 2 6 , a t one o 'c l o c k P . M.
B la c k fe e t Agency Browning, Montana March 6, 1926
MEETING O' THE TRIBAL BUSINESS COUNCIL MARCH 1 , 1926
The m inutes o f the m eetin g h e ld a t th e Agency C ouncil ^oom by th e members o f B la c k fe e t T rib a l C o u n cil, March 1 s t , 1926, a t 2 t l5 P . M. R o ll c a l l , xen answered p resen t,a n d th ree a b se n t.
NLtion made by Joe Brown and seconded by Joe Spanish th a t a l e t t e r be prepared and se n t to th e a tto r n e y sh o r tly a f t e r the m eetin g, ^ t i o n i s c a r r ie d .
R e so lu tio n No. 4 .
' "WHEREAS, i t has come to our n o tic e and know ledge, th a t c e r ta in p erson s a re a c t iv e in an attem pt to secure th e passage o f an a c t which would take away from th e B la c k fe e t r e s e r v a t io n a la r g e s t r ip of la n d a d jo in in g Glaxuer N atio n a l
Q 2icL •
WHEREAS, on s a id s t r ip o f land th e r e a r e v a lu a b le tim ber and in s a id s t r ip
o f land th e head w a ters o f our stream s are lo c a te d , and
WHEREAS, i f s a id s t r i p o f lan d i s ta k en away from t h i s r e se r v a tio n i t would d ep rive us o f v a lu a b le tim b er la n d s and d ep rive us o f our w ater su p p ly , fo r
ir r ig a t io n and o th e r p u rp o ses, and
3E IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, th a t we do not con sen t to th e ta k in g away o f s t r ip o f la n d , commonly known as th e s ix m ile s t r ip a d jo in in g t h e G la cier N a tio n a l Park, from our r e s e r v a tio n , and th a t we v ig o r o u sly p r o te s t a g a in s t such attem pt to
and R e p r e se n ta tiv e s in C ongress."
M otion made by Joe Brown and seconded by John Wren tint we adopt R e so lu tio n
No. 4 . M t i o n i s c a r r ie d .
R e so lu tio n No. 8 .
“WHEREAS th e r e i s now p e n d i n g b efo re Congress c e r t i i n b i l l s designate! a s S. 2S ^ h ! L 7826. which i s d esig n ed to ex ten d c i v i l and crim in a l law s o f th e U n ited S ta te s to I n iia n s and f o r otfrer
In d ia n , ana n o . p .n d in -, t » r o » <M , hlch c o n fe r . t o l l
l e g i s l a t e by s a id b i l l s , rn-4 v,P
SE IT T.EKSFwiE RESOLVED, th a t we, th e B u sin ess C ouncil o f th e Bladkfeeo
o f I n d ia n s , r e g i s t e r o u r p r o t e s t a g a in s t such l e g i s l a t i o n and t h a t th e o f f i c e r s of t h i s co u n c il he i n s t r u c t e d , empowered and a u th o r iz e d to work f o r th e e d f e a t o f s a i d m e a s u re s.
The above r e s o l u t i o n was duly su b m itte d , c o n s id e re d and a d o p te d ite b ru a ry 26, 1926 a t a r e g u l a r m e e tin g o f th e " u s in e s s C o u n cil o f th e B la c k - f e e t In d ia n T r ib e , a t B la c k fe e t A gency, M o n tan a."
B i l l s S .2705 aikL H .R .7826 w ere r e a d by C hairm an w hich r e l a t e s to R e s o lu tio n 8 .
Jo e Brown: P erh ap s t h i s ^ 1 1 means to some o th e r r e s e r v a t i o n t h a t i s to be
i n th e p a s s . A n o th er B i l l H .R.9315 in tr o d u c e d by Mr. F r e a r t h a t crim e o r m isdemeanor a g a in s t any o th e r In d ia n o r a g a i n s t o th e r p e rs o n s com m itted on th e R e s e r v a tio n s h a l l be g u a ra n te e d due p r o c e s s of law . M otion made by Joe p a n is h and seco n d ed by John Wren th a we e n d o rs e th e B i l l H .R .9315. M otion i s c a r r i e d .
R e s o lu tio n No. 9 .
"WHEREAS, ^ r . Jo h n C o l l i e r i s now in th e c i t y of W ashington, an d d e v o tin g h i s e n t i r e tim e ’ and en erg y f o r th a b e tte rm e n t o f th e In d ia n s in g e n e r a l, and h as su c c e e d e d i n p r e v e n tin g th e p a ss a g e o f a number o f b i l l s d e tr im e n ta l to th e w elf a r e o f th e I n d ia n s , w hich b i l l s a r e b e in g a d v o c a te d an d recommended by th e • In d ia n 3u r e a u o f f i c i a l s , who a re a tte m p tin g t o d eceiv e C o n g re ss.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, t h a t we, th e B u sin e s s C o u n c il o f th e B la c k fe e t T rib e o f I n d ia n s e x te n d o u r th a n k s and a p p r e c i a ti o n to Mr. C o l l i e r f o r h i s v a lu e d a s s is t a n c e an d t h a t he has o u r u n d iv id e d s u p p o rt i n h is good work and e f f o r t s , i n d is c l o s i n g t o C ongress th e d e c e p tiv e m ethods employed by s a id B ureau o f I n d ia n A f f a i r s . "
I L t i o n trade by ^ r . Brown and se co n d ed t h a t we a d o p t th e R e s o lu tio n No. 9 an d be am ended. R e s o lu tio n No. i s a d o p te d .
R e s o lu tio n No. 11.
"RESOLVED, t h a t we e x te n d o u r th a n k s to o u r two S e n a to r s , th e H onorable T J . Walsh and B. K. ’W heeler, and S e n a to r s , Cameron, H a r r a ld , e n d r ic k . K ing, L en ro o t an d Congressm an F r e a r and m n y o th e r good and t r u e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s n f th e p e o p le ^ h o have come to th e re s c u e o f th e t r u e In d ia n w e lf a r e , and who a r e do in g so much t o expose th e n o to r io u s l y bad In o ia n B ureau sy stem o f a d m in ist r a t i o n . "
I t i s moved and seco n d ed t h a t th e R e s o lu tio n No. 11 be e n d o rs e d an d be am ended. M otion i s c a r r i e d .
R e s o lu tio n No. 13.
"WHEREAS, la n d s have b een ta k e n away from c e r t a i n B la c k fe e t a l l o t t e e s f o r p u b lic highw ays w ith o u t com pen satio n an d w ith o u t due p ro c e s s o f law
WW’rEaI s a i d a c t i o n s have b ro u g h t h a r d s h ip s upon s e v e r a l o f o u r a l l o t t e e s , and
J S S : we deem i t j u s t and r i g h t t h a t th o s e who a r e damaged by su ch a c tio n s
sh o u ld be iu s tl y com pensated f o r t h e i r s a id p r o p e r ty . .
3E IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, t h a t we r e s p e c t f u l l y r e q u e s t C ongrees pa some l e g i s l a t i o n w h i c h w ould j u s t l y r e l i e v e and j u s t l y com pensate th o se
b een d e p riv e d o f t h e i r r i g v t s and p r o p e r ty by such a c t i o n s .
M otion made "by Mr# w ren and seco n d ed by Joe S p a n ish t h a t we a d o p t th e R e s o lu tio n Ho. 13. M otion i s c a r r i e d .
R e s o lu tio n Ho. 1 4 . To r e q u e s t C ongress to w ith d raw s a i d t r a c t s f o r s a i d p u rp o s e s an d r e s t o r e same f o r a llo tm e n t p u rp o s e s , R eso lv ed t h a t we r e q u e s t thai? C ongress make some p r o v is io n f o r th e exchange o r la n d s o f su ch damaged a llo tm e n ts by seep ag e o r o th e rw is e o r t h a t j u s t co m p en satio n may be aw arded f o r su ch dam ages.
I t i s moved and seconded t h a t t h e .R e so lu tio n Ho. 14 be a d o p te d . M otion i s c a r r i e d .
R e s o lu tio n Ho. 1 5 .
"RESOLVED, t h a t we, th e -business C o u n cil o f th e B la c k fe e t I n d ia n T rib e a t a m e e tin g d u ly h e ld a t Brow ning, M ontana, on F eb ru ary 2 5 , 1926, approve o f an d recommend th e p a ssa g e o f S enate B i l l 2714, w hich c o n ta in s th e same p r o v is io n s a s H. S . 7970, w ith th e e x c e p tio n o f th e f i r s t p ro v is o in s a i d b i l l , w hich r e a d s , " P ro v id e d t h a t th e p a te n te e has n o t m ortg ag ed o r s o ld any p a r t o f th e la n d d e s c r ib e d i n such p a te n t " and we r e s p e c t f u l l y r e q u e s t t h a t s a id p ro v is o be s t r i c k e n o u t ." I t was amended by adding’ t h i s p a ra g ra p h —
"And t h a t s e c tio n 5 o f t h e Act o f 1887 p r o v id in g f o r t r u s t p a te n t s t o be h e ld in t r u s t f o r p e r io d s o f 25 y e a r s s h a l l be e n f o r e e d and any fe e sim ple p a te n t s is s u e d c o n tr a r y to t h i s p r o v i s io n s h a l l be n u l l end v o id ."
M otion made by Mr. Brwwn and seco n d ed by Mr. Wren t h a t ' o l u t i o n Ho. 15 be a d o p te d . M otion i s c a r r i e d .
An a p p l i c a t i o n f o r l e a s e of la n d by t o . W elsh was n e x t i n o r d e r . Mr. C hairm an su g g e s te d t h a t Mr. W elsh make a n a p p l i c a t i o n in r e g u la r fo rm o f a le a s e an d f o r number o f a c re a g e o f g r a z i n g la n d and subm it th e same to th e C o u n c il f o r e o n s i d e r a tio n .
The change o f the name o f th e fo rm e r c o u n c il a s i t was known b e fo r e as The B u sin e s s B la c k fe e t C o u n c il. I t i s moved and seco n d ed t h a t h e r e a f t e r t h i s C o u n cil be known a s " B la c k f e e t T r ib a l C o u n cil? M otion i s c a r r i e d .
A l e t t e r w r itte n by Mr. A. A. (S ro ru d to S e n a to r W alsh was r e a d by th e C o u n c il i n r e g a r d to P e te r S ta b s b y -^ d s ta k e , w hich c a l l s f o r su p p o rt and a t t e n t i o n l( from th e C o u n cil to be r e l e a s e d fro m . ' On m otion made an d seco n d ed t h a t on a c c o u n t
o f th e d e t a i l s o f th e c a se were unknown to th e C o u n cil t h a t th e c a e be d e f e r r e d s u b je c t to th e c a l l o f C hairm an. M otion i s c a r r i e d .
H ext, D a n ie l B u ll Plume was c a l l e d to t e s t i f y on a c c o u n t o f George V iren's d e a th upon w hich he re f u s e d to do s o , u n t i l th e o th e r w itn e s s e s c o u ld be c a l l e d in and p la c e d in th e p re s e n c e o f th e C o u n c il. P e te r A f te r B u ffa lo (G eorge W ren's f a t h e r - in - la w ) th e n e x p la in e d t h e s i t u a t i o n o f Geo. W ren 's d e a th , l ’h i t M rs. Ada Moore i s th e cau se o f George W ren's d e a th , he s a i d . On m o tio n made by Jo h n Wren l\ an d seconded by M att I y t l e t h a t M rs. Ada “ o o re s h o u ld be d is m isse d from th e
S e r v ic e . On a c c o u n t o f th e ab sen ce o f th e d i r e c t w itn e s s e s on te s tim o n y , Jo Jin Wren and M att L y tle w ere a sk e d t o w ith d raw th e m o tio n f o r th e rem oval o f j u t s . M oore, and m o tio n was a f t e r w a r d w ith d raw n .
It is moved and seconded that we adjourn until ten o'clock in the morning larch 2, 1926, and the motion is carried.
Blackfeet Agency Browning, Montaia March 2, 1926
MEETING OF THE TRIBAL BUSINESS COUNCIL MARCH 2, 1926
The minutes of a meeting held at the Agency Council room, March 2, 1926, at 11 o'clock A. M. Roll call, ten answered present and 3 were absent.
Chairman called the meeting to order upon which the witnesses on a case of George Wren's death were called and were sworn in by oath before the chief Serf of the Agency in charge. Each witness was called and examined.
It was moved and seconded that we adjourn until one o'clock in the P. M.
1926, called at 2:15 P. M. Holl call—nine answered present and four were absent. The Chairman called the meeting to order, upon which the witnesses on the account of George "renTs death were called and examined, alter due examination of each witness the evidence given by each witness rendered to a decision that the charges preferred against Mrs. Ada Moore be enforced by the Council.
On motion made by John Wren and seconded by Matt Lytle that since we found sufficient evidence of charges preferred upon Mrs. Ada Moore that we respectfully reauest that Mrs. Ada Moore be dismissed from the Service. Motion is carried 'unanimously. Then it was in order that the sje ctators be allowed to vote on motion made by Mr. Wren, as a test vote. Motion is carried by a uninimous vote.
Thereupon by the request of the Council that telegram be drafted by the Secretary and sent to the Interior Bepartment and one to B. K. ilheeler shortly after the meeting.
It is moved and seconded the raise of the grazing fees from 10 cents to
15 cents which understood to take effect 1st of May, 1926, be changid or
apply 't0 °nly to new leases or apply to leases expired before the 1st of iJAy of each year. Motion is carried.
Two applicant, Joe Spanish and Wm. Welsh for lease on same tract of land 14-40 acre tracts in the flat coulee section. It is moved and seconded that
we grant these leases to Mr. Joe Spanish and Mr. Wm. Welsh for half and half.
Motion is carried.
To go on record—it is moved and seconded~an amendment relative to the former by-laws for membership of the Tribal uouncil that hereafter term of membership shall be two years instead of one year, motion is carried.
It is moved and seconded that to go on record' that this Council be allowed >i4.00 per diem while requested to attend the session of the Tribal ounci according to H. B. 6707 Bill as required by Law. aiotion is carried.
It is moved and seconded that this Council shall call a meeting every first
Monday of each month. Motion is carried.
AnEndments. It is moved and seconded that the uate of election ior the members of the Biackfeet Tribal Council shall hereafter be held first day of July and if that day comes on Sunday then it will be on the previous day or the lafct day of June. Motion is carried.
It is moved and seconded that the Accounting records of the ^lackfeet
Agency Office,
Motion is carried* . , .
It is moved and seconded that we adjourn until 30 days from tins date.
---
7 Chairman
Blackfeet Agency Browning, ISontam February 26, 1926
BB37IHG OF THE T.-.I3AL 30S1KE.
Sr. atone told the Council that It was the wish of Mr. Lytle and
fir. John Wren to postpone the meeting of the Council on account of thedeath of George Wren, hut it me discussed end decided not to post pons the meeting.
Mr. Stone presided over the meeting.
The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers for the coning year.
The roll ms called nad ten members were present. nominations were than in orc r to elect the chairman of the council for the coming year, rfobert Hamilton and Joseph Brown were nominated. It was moved and seconded that nominations he closed, and a vote ms token. Joseph 3 owe received two votes, Hobert Hamilton received seven votes and Willis Kipp received one vote, dohart Hamilton was elected chairman for the Council for the coming year.
Koisiinations sere then in ordr for fecretary. Joe Brown was nominated nut declined tha nomination. William Kipp was nominated but declined the now* ination. ilicharu Grant was noidr.'-ted but declined. John '.-'1011 was nominated but declined. Fetcr flint ms nominated but dealined. hi chard Grunt was nominated again and re-cons Ida red the numi nation. Matt Ay tie was nominated although he was not presort. It was seved and seconded that nominations be closed. Tha motion carried and votes were taken. iUchard Grant received, eight votes and Matt Lytle received two votes, hichard Grant was elected Secretary for the Council for tha coming year.
The Council was called to ardor by Hubert Hamilton, the Chairman, with these remarks;
The Council is now re dy to do business on behalf of the tribe. im have a number of things to consider, .'here are seme lea os, some bills, some applications for enrollment and there is a Congressional •legislation pending before Congress that effects us anti we oust look into this.
Jim Shits Calf mads a motion that the new Council be sworn in >iad Hides
at the xocr seconded the motion. It was unanimously carried. Sr. it one,
Acting Superintendent, swore them in by having them all oome to t e front and raise their right hands and repeat after him; "I, (repeat your names) do solemnly swear that 1 will well and faithfully perform the duties of Office
upon which I rra about to antar, so help be God."
Senator McCabe: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Superintendent, and cambers of the Blackfeet
Tribe; The invitation and the honor to address you today is deeply appreciated. I would like you gentlemen to realise that there is no deposition on my P**t to came here before you and. force my will or my thoughts upon you people, but you people are circumstances that his tory does not record the foot that you r.re oitiaens of this great country of oursj—United states, and in addition
- z -
yovJare membe r s of the blackfeet Tribe, and as your Senator, when the invitation was extended to me to come here and speak, I felt that it was my duty, and what I offer to you today is offered in the spirit of the interest of the Black- feet Indians idiom it has heen my pleasure to live with for a period of seventeen years, to give to you the proceedures and methods of the Senate of this soverign state of Montana so that possibly it may assist you in discharging the duties of your Office.
No*;, one of the very first things that we do in the Senate in order to have an understanding of the requirements of the State, we call in from the different departments a financial statement showing the moneys that have been appropriated during the previous years and a list of the expenditures of this monty. A copy of the pay roll showing the employees, their duties, and the salaries that they receive is brought in. With this information before the Senate we feel that we are in a position to make such reconmendations that will bring about the pest prosperity for the State.
Now these statements are not necessarily brought in to effect economy but rather to see that the money is expended for the best good of all and it might be well for this Council to consider the matters of their finance.
In order for a pepple to be successful there must be unity. Society prospers and progresses by the fact that people unite on certain causes and if the people of the Blackfeet reservation are to prosper they must prosper by being united and it might be well for you Councilmen to seriously consider this matter and use such means and methods that will bring about the unity of your people. I for one, would like to see this Council go down on record as being constructive, as being conservative and doing the thinking for themselves; not influenced by the investigations of any personalities but by the thoughts that come to men in the public life who are Alected to these responsibilities to do their duties fairly and impartially. There is a movement at this time to have this Council go on record in way of the abolishing of the Indian Department. Personally, I think that this would be a poor move. The departments of the Government are very necessary. Not necessary only to those directly affected but to society at large and while it is possible and very probable that in these departments there are employees who possibly through their interest e*°eed tteir authorities it would hardly seem fair to condemn the department for their activities. The Indian Department is in a position to do you people a lot of good and I am satisfied from looking over the history of their past, that they have contributed in a very large measure to raising up the standards of the Indians of the United States, and in considering the matter of this ouncil going on record it would be well to consider very very seriously and not go on record without giving this very important matter the due and important considers ion that it whould have.
At the present time in the Congress of the United States there are many appropriations for the ensuing year. You will notice by the Press tha the tribes in other sections are Working towards securing appropriateions for their benefit and it might be well for this Council to go on reci requesting an appropriation of, say, *5,000,000 to bring your people back into the industry that you have an understanding of;—the live stock industry, “ while there is a movement in Washington to economize you people could so arrange for this appropriation that it might be in the nature of a reimbursable propos tion, so Hi at the argument of economy might be removed from your request.
3 -
ihe United States is not poor, they have ample funds and are very willing to see that these funds are let out where a great good can come of them and I know of no better place than right here on the Blackfeet reservation.
The appropriation of •§5,000,000 will go a long way, not only in putting you people on your feet hut in carrying forward the five year program of which I am not an opponent. So in this instance, the matter of getting this $5,000,000 should he so placed befor e Congress that all of the people here on this reservation are in favor of this expropriation and in that way the possibilities of getting it are very good.
The Chairman made the statement at the opening of this meeting that you would be asked to consider leases. We have an industry that has recently come into our country*--'the sheep industry. There is a question as to whether the present charge of ten cents an acre for leases is a fair and reasonable chargd. Some are disposed to raise this lease fee to twenty cents. Personally, .•vy I think that the matter of raising the price of any leases at this time sh°"-ld
U be set aside so that the matter can be given very serious consideration. The
sheep industry means a lot to you. Not so much the price of the acreage but rather the revenue that comes from other sources. The purchase of hay, the employment of labor, the increase of business, all of these thingB must be considered. It might be well before taking any arbitrary stand to rather go out and solicit bids on this land that you have to lease. If you can get more than ten cents an acre, all well and good, but up to such time as you are m a position to get this increase, it might be well to let the sheep industry go along the lines that it is at present. In fact it mi git be well to encourage people who have cattle to investigate it here on your reservation in the sheep industry.
These are things thi-t you people will have to consider, and in considering them, you will do your duty if you consider them fairly, impartially, removing all personalities. It woiAd reflect to your credit and add to the prosperity and the happiness of all of the members of the Blackfeet tribe. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman: Is there any other business before the Council?
Mr. Stone: I have an application from Mrs. Anderson for the lease Mr. Bomboy
had last year. In the terms of the lease there is a clause which forbids the aale of liquor and last year Mr. Bomboy was apprehended andconvictedanatte lea e was forfeited. Does the Council think that this should be advertised?
It ias moved and seconded that the lease be advertised for thirty at
the end of the thirty day* award the lease to the highest bidder, voted on and it carried.
fiars- I want to say a few woras. I feel very good over the speech of Senator McCabe. I feel very friendly over your statements. The full bloods have voted for you to be elected so that you may tell these Indian. what you ,, .Wmt the law—advise them. I ask you the question—what is this $5,000, STfSTVK Is fhe purpose of it? Is It to be uevoted to the five year pro- gram? Or is it to be aevoted. to some other activity*
Mr McCabe Unanswer to Split *ar's question) *his appropriation will be used
I W— *“*• «“• »5.000.°«) »'d » — entirely for the increasing of your live stock industry and help the five y -
program along.
Split Ears: 1 do not want any money appropriated because it is not going to "benefit us. You have advised us to consider the things that are going to uplift the tribe as a whole and this is our object. We have nothing in sight that is going to benefit the tribe as a whole. We are trying to make a living now. In the past we have spent a lot of money on things that did not benefit us and that is why we went broke so quick. This five year program proposition hits me right. I like it. I like it as much as I would like a young girl.
I feel uneasy over the proposition of the abolishment of tte Indian Bureau.
The Indian Bureau operates towards our benefit. What would we do if the Bureau of Indian iffairs is abolished? Kight now I am not saying that the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the five year program are making us rich but we cannot get rich all at once and these are both doing us good. I appreciate it if a man gives me artything to eat and it hurts my feelings to have any one say that the Indian Bureau is going to be abolished. Whenever I hear anyone
condemning the five year program, I wish they would give me some money—I
would appreciate it. In that case I would be ready to throw up the five year program and be with them.
I feel so friendly to you that after a while I will build a sweat house
and you and I will have a sweat together. But I do not want you to condemn
the Indian Bureau because I want to always be your friend,
Mr. Stone: A verbal application came to me last night from a man at *«evan named Arthur Bipple. He wants to put up from 300 to 500 tons of ice on Two Medecine Lake. There is no reason why the Blackfeet people should give the people of Keevan ice although it is there and probably not doing anyone any good. What dbes the Council think about it?
It was moved and seconded that this man be give the ice at 20^ a ton.
Wolf Plume asked what would be the disposition of the moneycoming from the ice. At was decided that the money would go into the tribal funds. The motion’was carried unanimously.
Joe Brown made the motion that any other white man wanting ice from the reservation be charged 26^ a ton. This motion was seconded and voted on and carried unanimously.
Mercer and Hill presented an application for a grazing lease for five years. It was moved and seconded that this lease be granted and it was voted on and was carried, seven voting for it and three against it.
Mr. Chairman: At this time I have before me a resolution carrying out the wishes
of the people. They want the lease fee raised and to go into effect May 1, 1926. So if you take this lease you will have to be governed accordingly along these same lines, because it is the general wish of the Business Council. If this resolution is carried by the Council and the Indian Department then every lessee will have to be governed accordingly. Everywhere you go on this reservation the question is heard, "Why don’t you raise the leases?" The people mi^it just as well understand that if this Council is to go on record these leases will go into effect May first. It is up to the Council to consider these things. I do not want to go on record as trying to force you people to do this and to do that. It is up to you to eiercise your own judgment.
We have a lot of thing* before the Counoil to pass on hut we cannot pass on it all today.
We have a hill Spending in Congre** now asking them to pay us die hack interest
am White Calfi Ihj isn't Mr. Campbell here? Wheie is he?
(Mr. Stone told him that Mr, Campbell was away on a supervisory trip to some of the other reservations and that he was detailed by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to go on this trip.)
Jim White Calf: If Mr. Campbell is going to go away from here and/those kinds of trips, he might just as well resign his position as Superintendent here and take the position of Supervisor. The work is neglected here at this reservation. Mr. Campbell has never assisted the tribe in the re-adjustment of these leases and the people have asked for them for a long time.
Mr. Chairman: Mr. Campbell never presents any of these applications before
the Council and you, Mr. Stone, are merely acting as Superintendent and you have assisted us. You have brought these ppplications before us and you have heard this meeting. Mr. Campbell knew that this meeting was to be held and he should have been here. The reason I want Mr. Campbell here is that I want to call his attention to the fact that the people want the grazing fee raised. We would like to increase it from ten cents to twenty cents so that half of the fees could go to the reimbursable contracts and the other half we could ubs for the support of our families.
Mr. McCdbe: Gentlemen of the Council there is an issue here before you today
and you might as wellface the question now as to whether this Agent is to remain here or not. I am sorry that he is not here today to hear my statements. I always come out in the open and I would like to have Mr. Campbell hear what I have to say about him. The only question we have to decide on today is to decide whether or not this man is to stay here. If you are with me in getting in here an impartial Agent you will request the resignation of this man immediately and back the issues that Mr. Hamilton and X stand for. For that reason, Mr. Chairman, I desire to test the vote of the Council here.
Dick Sanderville: Suppose you are working for some one and you are detailed
by him to go out on some post of duty. Would you not go?
Mr. McCabe; Absolutely.
Dick Sanderville: Heretofore you have always talked about and bragged about
Captain Cook's administration. At that time Cook had tribal funds to work on and Cook made everybody work and everybody had something because there was distribution of tribal funds. Now Mr. Campbell is being criticized by a man who has not been here long and he comes and tells us what to do. I do not think he has any voice in our affairs, and the reason Mr. McCabe has it in for Mr. Campbell is over some allotment he purchased and that has created hard feelings between Mr. Campbell and Mr. McCabe.
Cut Finger: I want to answer a part of Mr. Sandervilie's statement and that
is that Mr. McCabe does not belong here and has no rigit to speak to us about Mr. Campbell the way he did. During his campaign he siid that if he won in this race he would do all he could to help the Indians.
take
Mr. McCabe: I feel that the position Mr. Sanderville is in, an employee of
the Government, that ha can hardly say anything else but that I have no busin to come hare. I was invited here to speak to this Council and I elect this Council and if the Chairman will put it to a vote, it answer the question as to whether or not they want Mr. Campbell to stay.
answer the question as
Joe Brown: I presume that Mr. McCabel figures that I am in the same lot as*
ick Sanderville is. I am also a Government employee and. a friend of Mr. Campbell, and I hope to be a friend of Mr. McCabe; at least I thought I was.
We know each other pretty well and when it comes to politics the same is true. But he stated that it was the issue of this Council to have Mr. Campbell removed from here, but I cannot see where it is the issue. If it was _I would not have been elected because I am an employee of the Government and a ^friend of Mr; Campbell’s.
Mr. McCabe: I say this in all fairness because it is the general feeling of
the Council and if you want it proved, just take a test vote. We want a man, who when he says "yes" means yes, and a man that will go out over the reservation and then tell the Indian Bureau the actual conditions here, and also attend the Council meetings and present matters of importance that the people want attended to. You never had any Council meetings last year and no business was transacted and the work was neglected. Mr. Campbell never took any interest in your affairs and never call ed a council meeting.
If you are going to continue as you were and have the present Agent run your affairs and not give you a chance to express your feelings, then you mi^it just as well dismiss this Council and let him run things, but if you care to, we will have this Agent removed and a man put in here that will look after your affairs, otherwise the same condition will prevail that existed last year.
Bides At The Boor:
Through Louie ISonroe, I asked Hr. CasEbell, to hold a Council Ueeting hat he said there was nothing to he considered hy the Council and it was not necessary to c.ll a meeting.
It is not fair to this Council to take advantage of the Superintendent's absence tad should not discuss about him when he is not here.
lie. Hamilton: This Council did not have to ask for this meeting and I did not know Ur. Campbell was absent. This meeting is called officially by the Department.
S i L 3 At The B o o r: I r a n t to know who pays th e G o v e rm e n t em ployees I t .
M i l M U « * . m r . n t . r y m d i l n d M t o .
t i o n s w ere expended so p e o p le w ould know w here th e y w ^ • 'That i s th i n g i s th e f l o u r m i l l . He see i t sm oking and t h e w h is t le b l o w s , ./h at i th e f l o u r m ill d o in g . The em ployees who a r e d raw in g s a l t h a t a r e d ra w in g b i g p a y and a r e n o t d o in g a n y th in g , i f t h a t i s ^ t h i n g sh o u ld he a b o lis h e d an d d is m is s e d . I went, to H e a rt B u tte a n d f o u n d o u t how much f l o u r had been g r i s t and th e p e o p le l i v i n g th e r e t o l d me th e ^ o r n o f i r t h a t had b e e n g r i s t , -the O h a im a n and S e c r e t a r y have n o t anyth i n g to s a y a g a in s t them . I cm a f u l l trib e s m a n b u t once i n a w h ile I h e .,r ! t e o f them & a h o it me b u t I do n o t m ind i t b u t X a member o f th e C o u n cil and I b e li e v e I m ust be a gooc. man o r I w ould n o t h a .e b e e n e l e c t e d . How X 'u n d e rsta n d th e o ld p e o p le sh o u ld b e on th e r a t i o n r o l l th e r e <=re a l o t o f young men who comes in on th e r a t i o n l i s t and on tn e s e g ro u n d s we c r i t i c i s e th e o f f i c e . I do n o t l i k e th e s e n O T s p a p e r a d v e rtis e ro e n t c i r c u l a t i n g th ro u g h th e c o u n try a b o u t th e f i v e y e a r program b e c a u se th e r e a re a l o t ^ o f th in g s s a i d t h a t I do n o t l i k e . Now * id g e Ho C oat made a s ta te m e n t s a y in g he w ent e a s t and he w ent w e st and ev e ry one o f th e p la c e s he t o l d how p ^ r he w as and how p o o r h i s p e o p le w ere b u t th e n ew spapers q u o te d him th e o th e r w ay, and he sa y s th e man r e s p o n s ib le f o r th e s e s ta te m e n ts i s t h i s man 3 Take Y/hite Q u iv er he i s a War C h ie f and i n th e o ld e n days t L r e a S S ° ? ^ y d e c id e d t t e t w f m S t ^ t S f t h e ^ e s e f - v a t i o n and a s k f o r r e - th a t tim e th e r e w ere c e r t a i n p a r t i e s t h a t d e c id e d to go to th e G o v e r n o r antT"ask f o r a s s i s t a n c e and we c o l l e c t e d f i v e d o l l a r s to pay _£e e x - had a n o th e r dance a t B la c k f o o t. The In d ia n s and p e o p le o i th e R e s e r v a tio n M . . o o » l « . t e l • f - » . r e a o l l . r , t . P .y „ o f th e o e o tile The d e le g a tio n t h a t w ent to H elen a c o n s is te d o f fo u r C o u n c i l m e n and W olf P l u L . ft th e tim e I m en tio n th e r e was a c ro p f a i l u r e li e v e t h a t th e y a re wo ik in g h a rd to make a l i v i n g out o f th e ® j 4__ 4.V,c, -p-i irp vp0r t>ro£Tam. Snppos© "kli© wliio© 1ns.11 ciici no a n y t h i n g ° w h a t a r e th e y g o i n / t o if v e ^ o n , ev ery b o d y depends on a g r i c u l t u r e . When
H^ea at The Door: I went to Helena I looked out from the train and X saw ♦
farms in every spot even along the Missouri Cannon there were farms. The Indians -have been trying ever since Major was Agent, they at that
time oxen to plough with. All the time we have been trying to farm all these years. White men have failed and if they fail how can we Blackfeet Indians be prosperout farmers. How the man that is circulating these reports that vie are prosperous, that is the man we are after and I believe that he is the man that is misquoting the Indians. These people here who have raised a few head of cows, and sheejl do not know how it could be possible to have any beef to ship at the end of five years out of one or two cows. We should ask for a big appropriation and put this Reservation back to cattle raising because a few head of sheep will not do anybody much good at the end of five years.
How I hear somebody say they are gathering horses here to ship and these horses have been shipped as low as one dollar at the five dollar a head. How these horses have been condemned and are worthless. I deny that I believe horses are valuable, we could use then to haul the timber out of the mountains to make a living on but the horses had to be sold because the people are under hard circumstances and something had to be done to get food to live on. How we would like to know why this oil well on Milk River had not been developing oil as it should, we would like to know what is the matter with these oil people. How we should do all we can and not be afraid to speak before the Council, speak whatever we have to say. The old Chiefs in the early days who were really recognized as prominent men always spoke for the Tribe, they had all to say and whenever any of us find wut that the Agent is not doing what is right we should get together and ask for his removal.
Hr. Hamilton; How at this point before I it, on the Second £
day of June 1924, the President of the United States signed Citizenship Bill’end that Citizenship Bill put the Indians on e,ual footing with the Senators and Congressmen and theyare S°ing exercise their vote, and these Indians have as mch to say asto the Governor should be impeached or the Agent should ^removed?
Indian is equal before the law and the money used to operate this Agency is reimbursable money and it comes out of the pockets of each member of this tribe to keep up this Agency, "How Mr. Stone, a» Acting Superintendent, is not that the status of the Indians today?
Ht. Stone; "Were you asking if the Indian was a citizen"? The law made that and it has never been disputed.
Hr Hamilton: How we have a Bill here now in this connection asking
tto Supreme Court of the United Statestointerpr.t.heAct of June 2 1924 but as Senator Walsh says that Citizenship Bill is very
far reaching. The Indian is no longer to be dominated, he stands on the equal footing as a white man and he has every right to criticise inyemoloyee or the Government or State, and I say the sooner the IndiaM assert themselves the better off they will be.
- It is a exeat pleasure to have such a Chairman as presides
“ U s.StS, » «■*««-- »«»
on record if you wish this Superintendent to remain or not.
Ruben Black Boy: I asked the Superintendent, F. C.. Campbell, to as-
Sst m. when °y leg was broken and he denied me that revest ant if M LTnS"..n a, a. Stone, I well not toom A.j to do
T ms not praising Stone but he is more of man than P. C. Campbell.
I ^d 5 leg broken by accident and went to Campbell for assistance
and he would not give it to me.
Mil is runningl the people are getting out logs and a
*«* “O to for .
but there is no expense to run it. How I sa p ]_umber
we have to make a living by hauling timber.
Ho Coat: The talk that Ho Coat made is a substance that some of
No Coat: the speakers here do not want to carry on the five year
Program. He says that it is not right for an able bodied man to say he is poor that he should get out and work and earn a living same as I do. I am old but I try and farm and there is no reason why every young man could not make a living. These people that have sheep are the only ones that have money and everyone should become a sheep man and have money in their pockets. Eveiy young man that runs around an
