The Bureau of Indian Affairs--Necessity or Not?

According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Website , “The mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is to act as the principle agent of the United States in carrying out the government to government relationship that exists between the United States and the federally recognized American Indian tribes; and, to act as principle agent of the United States in carrying out the responsibilities the United States has as a trustee for property it holds for federally recognized tribes and individual Indians.”

Was it necessary to form the Bureau of Indian Affairs? Have Native Americans benefited from the formation of this agency? Perhaps a look back in time can help answer those questions.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs began in 1775, when the Continental Congress decided to name a Committee on Indian Affairs, which had three departments and was headed by prominent citizens Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry.

By 1775, the white man had already taken over thousands of acres of Indian land. Believing Native Americans to be “savages” and “childlike,” the government methodically started to take complete control over the Indian and his possessions. Whatever was not freely given or traded was gained by false treaties and force. Knowing the Indian did not believe in possession of the land, the white man lied, cheated and bullied his way into taking not only the Indians’ land but their way of life as well.

By 1806, trading houses were well established and the office of Superintendent of Trade was created. These trade houses were to “…supply Indians with necessary goods and, in exchange, to offer them a fair price for their furs. This was a matter of importance and concern for the government.” Bureau of Indian Affairs Website

By 1822, Congress gave the President authority to “appoint by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who shall, under the direction of the Secretary of War, and agreeable to such regulations as the President may, from time to time, prescribe, have the direction and management of all Indian affairs, and of all matters arising out of Indian relations.” Bureau of Indian Affairs Website

The Bureau of Indian Affairs was under military control. The military was under presidential control. The Presidents were trying to oust the Indians to gain control of lands the Indians did not believe were able to be possessed.

Have Native American benefited from the formation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs? The answer would be based on you, the reader. If you’re Native American, chances are good that you would say “no.” The Bureau of Indian Affairs was just as responsible as the armies for running Indians off of the homeland and forcing them to conform to the ways of the white man.