Letter from D. S. Myer to Senator Langer Regarding Demands by James Black Dog et al. for an Audit of All Tribal Moneys Collected and Expended since 1910, March 5, 1952
This letter, dated March 5, 1952, from D. S. Myer, Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs to US Senator William Langer, makes reference to Langer\u27s letter of February 14 describing a resolution shown to Langer by James Black Dog of Elbowoods, North Dakota demanding an audit of all tribal funds collected and expended by the Three Affiliated Tribes since 1910.
Myer explains that prior to June 29, 1936 authority to administer funds was vested in the US Department of the Interior, and since then the Constitution and bylaws of the Three Affiliated Tribes have provided for annual audits and the maintenance of accurate and complete public accounts of the affairs of the tribes, (emphasis in original) including credits, debts, debits and assignments, as well as an annual report and balance sheet submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Myer writes that, given the exiting audits and documentation, an audit by the US Department of the Interior should not be necessary.
Myer goes on to address Black Dog\u27s request for information regarding interest earned on the monies paid to the tribe in return for lands taken in connection with the construction of the Garrison Dam, explaining the interest rates and policies regarding the use of principal and interest, before enumerating the efforts made by the Tribal Council and Bureau of Indian Affairs to keep tribal members informed on the particulars related to tribal funds in general and funds related to the compensation for damages associated with Garrison Dam in particular.https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/1462/thumbnail.jp
