Search Results

Author:

White, Christine Schultz 1956-  Search this

White, Benton R (Benton Ray) 1949-  Search this

Physical description:

xiii, 193 p. : ill. ; 24 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

Indian Territory

Confederate States of America

United States

Date:

1996

C1996

19th century

Civil War, 1861-1865

Topic:

History  Search this

Relocation  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_612804

Author:

O'Brien, Sharon  Search this

Physical description:

xviii, 349 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1989

©1989

Topic:

Politics and government  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_384331

Author:

McLoughlin, William G (William Gerald) 1922-1992  Search this

Physical description:

xxii, 472 pages, [8] pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 24 cm

Type:

Books

History

Place:

Southern States

Date:

1986

©1986

1789-1869

Topic:

History  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Call number:

E99.C5 M4 1986X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_300145

Author:

Lawson, Michael L  Search this

Subject:

Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (U.S.)  Search this

Physical description:

xxvi, 261 p. : ill. ; 22 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

North Dakota

South Dakota

Date:

1982

C1982

1934-

Topic:

Land tenure  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Land transfers  Search this

Call number:

E99.D1L33 1982X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_310413

Author:

Lazarus, Edward  Search this

Physical description:

xvi, 486 p. : ill., maps ; 25 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

Black Hills (S.D. and Wyo.)

Date:

1991

C1991

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Claims  Search this

Land tenure  Search this

Call number:

E99.D1L37 1991X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_420219

Author:

Debo, Angie 1890-1988  Search this

Physical description:

xviii, 314 p. illus., ports., maps, facsim. 24 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1961

[1961]

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_438142

Author:

Wilkins, David E (David Eugene) 1954-  Search this

Physical description:

xxvii, 365 p. : ill. ; 26 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

2002

C2002

Topic:

Politics and government  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Civil rights  Search this

Self-determination, National  Search this

Race relations  Search this

Social policy  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_628737

Author:

Taylor, Theodore W  Search this

Physical description:

xxi, 307 pages illustrations, map 25 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1972

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Call number:

E93 .T27X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_31290

Author:

Castile, George Pierre  Search this

Bee, Robert L  Search this

Physical description:

ix, 259 p. ; 24 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

1992

C1992

Topic:

Indian reservations  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Politics and government  Search this

Call number:

E93 .S75 1992X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_431456

Author:

Fey, Harold Edward 1898-  Search this

McNickle, D'Arcy 1904-1977  Search this

Physical description:

274 p. : ill., map ; 18 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1970

[1970]

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Call number:

E93 .F43 1970

E93.F43 1970

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_444406

Author:

Talbot, Steve  Search this

Physical description:

215 p. : ill. ; 21 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1981

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_496324

Author:

DeRosier, Arthur H  Search this

Physical description:

xii, 208 pages illustrations, maps. 24 cm

Type:

Books

History

Place:

United States, Southern States

Date:

1970

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Relocation  Search this

Choctaw--Déplacement  Search this

Choctaw--Relations avec l'État  Search this

Choctaw (Indiens)  Search this

Choctaw Indians--Government relations  Search this

Choctaw Indians--Relocation  Search this

Indians of North America--Relocation  Search this

Choctaw (Indiens)--Déplacement  Search this

Choctaw (Indiens)--Relations avec l'État  Search this

Choctaw  Search this

Indianen  Search this

Kolonialisme  Search this

Native races  Search this

Call number:

E99.C8 D43 1970

E99.C8D43 1970

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_5052

Author:

League of Women Voters (U.S.) Education Fund  Search this

Physical description:

viii, 120 p. : ill ; 23 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1976

1934-

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Legal status, laws, etc  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_831366

Author:

Hosmer, Brian C. 1960-  Search this

Subject:

Truman, Harry S. 1884-1972 Relations with Indians  Search this

Physical description:

xl, 168 p. ; cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

2010

C2010

1934-

1953-1961

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Indian termination policy  Search this

Self-determination, National  Search this

Cultural assimilation  Search this

Politics and government  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_963746

Creator:

National Congress of American Indians  Search this

Names:

Delacruz, Joseph B.  Search this

Deloria, Vine  Search this

Harjo, Suzan Shown  Search this

Tonasket, Mel  Search this

Trimble, Charles E.  Search this

Extent:

24 Videoreels (1/2 inch)

1 Videocassettes (Hi8)

3 Sound cartridges

1 Sound recording (dictaphone belt)

10 Videocassettes (VHS)

442 Sound tape reels (1/4" open reel)

30 Videocassettes (U-matic)

713 Sound cassettes

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Videocassettes (hi8)

Sound cartridges

Sound recordings

Videocassettes (vhs)

Sound tape reels

Videocassettes (u-matic)

Sound cassettes

Audiotapes

Audiovisual materials

Audiocassettes

Date:

1952-1997

Summary:

The National Congress of America Indians (NCAI), which describes itself as the oldest and largest American Indian and Alaskan Native organization in the United States, was founded on November 16, 1944, in Denver, CO and is still active today. NCAI was founded to serve as a link between individual tribal councils and the United States government but also aimed to educate the general public about Indians, preserve Indian cultural values, protect treaty rights with the United States, and promote Indian welfare. This collection of National Congress of America Indians Audio and Film Recordings contains materials created by and for NCAI to maintain a record of organizational proceedings and events between 1952 and 1997. Recorded in various formats, the bulk of this collection is on 1/4" open reel to reel tapes and sound cassettes. The events represented in this collection include annual and mid-year conventions, executive council meetings, congressional hearings, intertribal institutes and a variety of workshops and meetings regarding economic, civil and educational issues facing indian country.

Scope and Contents:

This collection of National Congress of America Indians Audio and Film Recordings contains materials created by and for NCAI to maintain a record of organizational proceedings and events between 1952 and 1997. Recorded in various formats, the bulk of this collection is on 1/4" open reel to reel tapes and sound cassettes. The collection also contains smaller numbers of EIAJ open reel videotapes, U-Matic, VHS and Hi-8 videocassettes and well as dictaphone belts and audio cartridges. The first series in this collection contains audio recordings from NCAI annual and mid-year convetions held in different locations all over the United States. The second series includes events hosted by NCAI or attended by NCAI representatives. These include executive council meetings, congressional hearings, intertribal institutes and a variety of workshops and meetings regarding economic, civil and educational issues facing indian country. Several larger events include the Arizona Intertribal Institute (1955), The National Indian Policy Conference (1974), LEAA Conference (1978), Environmental Protection Hearings and Seminars (1988) and the Senate Indian Affairs Special Investigations Subcommittee meetings (1989). A conference held in 1993 also documents the early history of NCAI with speakers such as Helen Peterson, John Rainer and Erma Hicks Walz.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into three series and chronologically within each series. Series 1: Annual and Mid-Year Conventions, 1953-1989, Series 2: Chronological Events, 1952-1997, and Series 3: Commercial Audio/Video, 1972-1989.

Biographical / Historical:

The National Congress of America Indians, which describes itself as the oldest and largest American Indian and Alaskan Native organization in the United States, was founded on November 16, 1944, in Denver, CO. NCAI was intended to serve as a link between individual tribal councils and the United States government, by defining and helping to crystallize Indian thought on the administration of Indian affairs. The Congress also aimed to educate the general public about Indians, preserve Indian cultural values, protect treaty rights with the United States, and promote Indian welfare.

At the first convention, delegates representing fifty tribes ratified the constitution and by-laws, drafted resolutions determining the direction of NCAI policy, and elected the organizations' first officers, with Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Napoleon B. Johnson (Cherokee) as president. The officers, as well as eight elected council members, formed the Executive Council. The Council chose the Executive Director; Ruth Muskrat Bronson (Cherokee) was the organization's first director, from 1944-1948. "Persons of Indian blood" could join the organization either as individuals or as groups. In 1955, however, the constitution was revised to restrict group membership to recognized tribes, committees, or bands, and to make the Executive Council chosen by tribal representatives. These changes gave control of the organization to governing bodies of organized tribes, rather than individuals. A further amendment that year created a five-member Executive Committee, headed by the president, which had all the powers of the Executive Council between council meetings.

Conventions have been held annually in the fall since the formation of the NCAI in 1944. Since 1977, mid-year conferences have been held in May or June of each year, to allow more frequent and thorough discussion of issues. The resolutions passed at these conventions are the basis for all policy of the Executive Committee and Executive Director between meetings. The conventions are also used for informational sessions and meetings of standing and special committees of NCAI. One or two-day workshops may also be held on special topics or Congressional issues of particular concern.

NCAI created a tax-exempt arm in 1949 to accept charitable contributions and apply for grants, the NCAI Fund, which soon changed its name to ARROW, Inc. By 1957, however, ARROW had split off to become an independent organization, and NCAI started a new arm, again called the NCAI Fund. In the coming decades, the NCAI Fund would obtain grants from sources including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Veteran Affairs, Indian Health Service, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ford Foundation, humanities councils and others, which they used for conferences, workshops, publications, and other projects.

In its early years, NCAI fought for the recognition of land claims of Alaska natives, the enfranchisement of Arizona and New Mexico Indians, the equitable settlement of tribal land claims, and the right of Indians to select their own attorneys. The NCAI lobbied vigorously for an Indian Claims Commission Bill, which became law in August 1946. NCAI's lobbying efforts on behalf of this act set the pattern for the organization's future role in legislative matters: keeping member tribes abreast of proposed legislation and ascertaining their views, and maintaining a presence in Congress through lobbying and testimony.

Beginning in 1954, the threat of termination pushed NCAI into a period of increased activity. Although some tribes were ready to terminate their relationship with the federal government, much of Indian Country felt threatened by the government's new stated policy. NCAI therefore organized an Emergency Conference of American Indians for February 1954 to protest this new termination policy. An agreement was forged at the conference between the NCAI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to work together toward slowly liquidating the BIA. The termination period of the 1950s and 1960s, while challenging, saw NCAI increase in confidence and political acumen.

During the 1960s, a number of other activist Indian groups sprang up and began to dilute the singular influence which NCAI had commanded. Newer, more militant groups often considered themselves at odds with NCAI, which was increasingly perceived as conservative. As the number of Indian advocacy groups grew in the 1960s and 1970s, however, NCAI actively partnered with other organizations, particularly the National Tribal Chairmen's Association (NTCA) and Native American Rights Fund (NARF), on a variety of projects.

Charles E. "Chuck" Trimble (Oglala Dakota) served as Executive Director of NCAI in 1972 until 1977, when he resigned to lead the United Effort Trust, a project designed to fight white backlash to Indian rights. NCAI spent most of the next two years trying to find another permanent director. In 1979, Ronald P. Andrade (Luiseno-Diegueno) joined NCAI and unfortunately found a group that was demoralized and underfunded. He was able to return the organization to good health but left in 1982. Si Whitman (Nez Perce), his successor, remained at NCAI for less than a year.

Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne-Creek) became director of NCAI on May 1, 1984. Prior to taking this postions, she had served as Congressional Liaison for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior during the Carter administration and as legislative liaison for the Native American Rights Fund, as well as working for NCAI during the mid-1970s. Harjo was also an active and published poet, as well as a frequent speaker at events around the country. The National Congress of American Indians was particularly active on Capitol Hill while Harjo was director, advocating for government-to-government status, the Tribal Government Tax Status Act of 1983, repatriation legislation, and economic development programs, among other issues. Harjo was herself very involved in the establishment of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.

The NCAI Fund was very successful in receiving grants during this period, although they were chronically short of operating funds. Some of their most active projects during this period were the Indian and Native Veterans Outreach Program (INVOP), Inter-generational Health Promotion and Education Program (IHPEP), Environmental Handbook and related educational seminars, Solar Bank, nuclear waste disposal and transportation information sessions, and voter registration.

For years, NCAI's operating expenses had been funded by the Ford Foundation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). In 1985, the director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, opposing the use of Federal monies to support outside organizations, began to block the payment for services due to the NCAI. This created a financial crisis from which the NCAI did not recover during Harjo's tenure, and it became the major issue for which she was not rehired in October 1989.

Following the 1989 Annual Convention, Wayne Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux) became President of NCAI and A. Gay Kingman (Cheyenne River Sioux) was appointed Executive Director. Their first efforts were focused on recovering the financial well-being of the organization, which meant that less attention was devoted to issues in Congress. One of the successful projects NCAI pursued during the next two years was organization and presentation of the Indian pre-conference of the White House Conference on Library and Information Science, which was held in early 1991.

The National Congress of American Indians is still active today, continuing its work of lobbying, support for tribal governments, and advocacy for American Indian issues.

Related Materials:

Other collections at the NMAI Archives Center that include information on the National Congress of American Indians include:

National Congress of American Indians records,1933-1990 (NMAI.AC.010)

Arrow, Inc., and the American Indian Tribal Court Judges records, 1949-1999 (NMAI.AC.013) James E. Curry papers, 1935-1955 (NMAI.AC.015) National Tribal Chairmen's Association records, 1971-1978 (NMAI.AC.014) Helen L. Peterson papers, 1944-1992 (NMAI.AC.016) Reuben Snake papers, 1971-1996 (NMAI.AC.012)

Provenance:

The National Congress of American Indians designated the National Anthropological Archives (NAA) as its official repository in 1976. It was transferred from NAA to the National Museum of the American Indian Archive Center in 2006.

Restrictions:

Access to NMAI Archive Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).

Due to its fragile nature, this collection is closed to researchers until it has been digitized.

Rights:

Permission to publish or broadbast materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archive Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiarchives@si.edu.

Topic:

Indians of North America -- Civil rights  Search this

Indians of North America -- Economic conditions -- 20th century  Search this

Indians of North America -- Government relations  Search this

Indians of North America -- Social conditions -- 20th century  Search this

Congresses and conventions  Search this

Legislative hearings  Search this

Genre/Form:

Audiotapes -- Open reel

Audiovisual materials

Audiocassettes

Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); National Congress of American Indians Audio and Film Recordings, Box Number; National Museum of the American Indian Archive Center, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NMAI.AC.010.001

See more items in:

National Congress of American Indians Audio and Film Recordings

Archival Repository:

National Museum of the American Indian

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sv418f7d1de-5bd0-4621-8926-1c4a55579201

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmai-ac-010-001

Author:

Smith, Paul Chaat  Search this

Warrior, Robert Allen  Search this

Physical description:

xiii, 343 p. : ill. ; 25 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

Alcatraz Island (Calif.)

Wounded Knee (S.D.)

Date:

1996

C1996

1934-

Indian occupation, 1969-1971

Indian occupation, 1973

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Trail of Broken Treaties, 1972  Search this

History  Search this

Call number:

E93 .S65 1996

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_515027

Author:

McDonnell, Janet A. 1952-  Search this

Physical description:

viii, 163 p. : ill., map ; 24 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1991

C1991

Topic:

Land tenure  Search this

Government relations  Search this

Call number:

E98.L3M43 1991X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_419053

Author:

Lyons, Oren  Search this

Physical description:

xiii, 414 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

1992

C1992

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Constitutional history  Search this

Politics and government  Search this

Civilization  Search this

Indian influences  Search this

Call number:

E93 .E965 1992X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_475421

Author:

Hays, Robert G  Search this

Physical description:

xxvii, 357 pages ; 24 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

1997

C1997

19th century

Topic:

Public opinion  Search this

Government relations  Search this

History--Sources  Search this

American newspapers--Sections, columns, etc--Op-ed pages--History  Search this

Call number:

E98.P99 H39 1997X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_559468

Author:

Miller, Robert J  Search this

Subject:

Jefferson, Thomas 1743-1826 Relations with Indians  Search this

Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)  Search this

Physical description:

xix, 214 pages ; 25 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

United States

Date:

2006

Topic:

Government relations  Search this

Territorial expansion  Search this

Discovery and exploration  Search this

Race relations  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_823404