Resolution from the Fort Berthold Americans to the United States Congress Regarding Disagreement with Law Over Indian Property, April 3, 1944

This document is composed of three elements: a resolution, proceedings from a meeting, and a memorandum. The first element of this document is a resolution. The resolution from the “Fort Berthold American Inc.”to the United States Congress declares that any matter that arises among our tribe “be approved by Congress and giving [sic] our tribe opportunity to discuss among our tribe.” The resolution opposes unnecessary and confusing laws and says it “cannot agree of this law making [sic] in regard to Indian property.” The resolution asks that Fort Berthold property be put “into same status as that of ather [sic] American people.” This resolution condemns the law scheme which caused “confusion among our tribe and dissatisfaction.” The resolution says it will not retire its Council and unattached members should be removed. The resolution concludes by saying its message should be forwarded to the United States Congress for serious consideration. The resolution is signed by Joe B. Baer, Adlai Steveson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson. The resolution is marked with the handwritten annotation “Ft Berthold.” The resolution includes a stapled memorandum from the United States Senate. This memorandum is the second element of this document. The memorandum reads: “Senator wishes to insert these resolutions in the Congressional Record.” Included with the resolution and memorandum are ten principles from the “Proceedings from this Meeting.” These proceedings are the third and final element of this document. These ten principles are summarized as follows. Principle 1: to be excluded from the land act. Principle 2: to continue to use land in their own interest. Principle 3: to pay personal tax to the state, but not land tax. Principle 4: to recover a bill that involves $400,000. Principle 5: to have anything pertaining to the tribe by considered by the tribe. Principle 6: to have a trespass fee paid for all livestock grazing on tribal land. Principle 7: to oppose the Bureau of Indian Affairs control of Indian life, including collected monies. Principle 8: to be excluded from the Wheel-Howard Act. Principle 9: to not insult anyone who wants to continue under the Bureau program. Principle 10: to fight for American Ideals which the Bureau and regimentation is inhibiting. These proceedings are signed by Mr. Jackson Dancing Bull and Rufus Stevenson. These proceedings are marked at the heading with the handwritten annotation “Van Hook, No Dak.”https://commons.und.edu/langer-papers/1718/thumbnail.jp

Letter from Bear, et al to Representative Burdick Regarding Property Laws, Undated

This undated resolution signed by Joe B. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson concerns property issues related to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. The resolution states that the members of the Fort Berthold Americans Inc. do not agree with a law which would regard native property as a collective movement that denies property ownership. See also: Letter from Adlai Stevenson to Representative Burdick Regarding Lemke Bill, April 3, 1944https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/1212/thumbnail.jp

Meeting notes from Jackson Dancing Bull Regarding Property Laws, April 3, 1944

These meeting notes dated April 3, 1944 and signed by Jackson Dancing Bull and Rufus Stevenson of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota, with no addressee listed, concern property laws. The notes list the major principles agreed upon in the meeting including a desire to be excluded from the United States (US) Wand H Act, a desire to be excluded from the land tax, and opposition to a 3 percent tax funding US government control of the Reservation. The notes also mention that the group has sent a delegation to US Congress about being excluded from the US Wheeler-Howard Act. This letter summarizes the formal letter sent to US Representative Usher Burdick by Three Affiliated Tribes member Adlai Stevenson. See also: Letter from Bear et al to Representative Burdick Regarding Property Laws, Undated Letter from Adlai Stevenson to Representative Burdick Regarding Property Taxes, April 3, 1944https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/1214/thumbnail.jp