Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
1103437
label
"Trail of Self-Determination"
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
1103437
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
"Trail of Self-Determination"
citationUrl
collections
Bradley H. Patterson Files (Ford Administration)
Bradley Patterson's Native American Programs Files
subjects
Indians of North America
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
1103437
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1976-07-01
month
7
year
1976
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1976-07-01
month
7
year
1976
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
45cfea7a7466cf3c
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 6, folder "Trail of Self-Determination" of the
Bradley H. Patterson Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 6 of the Bradley H. Patterson Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
United States Department of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
March
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
July 12, 1976
Memorandum
To:
Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs
From:
R. Dennis
Ickes Jacknis JCK
Subject: Meeting with the Trail of Self-Determination
Group on July 8, 1976
Attached are the names of the persons who attended the
meeting on July 8 at the New Executive Office Building.
The subject of the meeting was the paper entitled "Trail
of Self-Determination, July 4, 1976,' a copy of that
document is also attached. They asked us to comment on the
nine points contained in that document.
Dr. Marrs and I noted that Part I of that particular document
was probably the most important one and thus we directed
our attention to that Part. I noted to them that the
Department, the Bureau, and the Administration are open to
suggestions on how this Administration can better provide
services to Indian people and how each can better carry out
its responsibilities generally toward Indian people. I
noted that the Administration is not so committed to any
particular structure and that it will change if better ways
can be found. I pointed out to the group that until Congress
or this Administration decides to change the current system,
however, that we would continue to operate within the current
structure and that we would obviously try to improve each
day on the way we do business. We have the humility to
know that we do not have perfect organization, nor perfect
people running them.
The discussion about Part I of their paper centered on the
word "sovereignty" as it was used in Part I. I noted to
them that there would be no agency within the Executive
Branch of the government which could be completely sovereign
of the Federal government or sovereign from the Executive,
or sovereign from the Congress. It is unrealistic for them
to think of themselves as having the monetary support and
control of the U.S. without having the policy guidance and
control to go with it.
AME RICAN
1776-1976
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
We then got off on to the general discussion of specific
complaints they had about various areas of the country from
whence they came attempting to point out why a change was
needed, why the Bureau or the DOI was not effective.
Dr. Marrs and I both emphasized that the plan which they
set forth in their paper in general, and as a general
principle, was not necessarily a bad plan. Dr. Marrs went
so far as to state that he did not think that the plan would
improve upon that which already exists, and quite frankly
was not as good as already exists. However, both Dr. Marrs
and I agreed that what is important here is that the
Administration and the DOI and the BIA attempt to be open-
minded to suggestions such as the one they presented and
incorporate those things which are viable and practicable
and to learn from all persons how we can improve government
and how we administer our programs. Dr. Marrs and I strongly
emphasized that it was important for this group and all
Indian groups who have views about Indian programs to lobby
Congress, lobby the American Indian Policy Review Commission,
lobby the various Indian Tribal Councils, to lobby Indian
organizations throughout the country to get their support.
I noted to them, as did Dr. Marrs, the it is the elected
leadership of Tribal government that will have the greatest
influence upon the policies of this Administration.
The group desired to receive commitments from the various
agencies of government with whom they met. I made the
following commitments to them:
1. That this Administration would remain open-minded
about ways in which it deals with problems facing the
American Indians as to the structure in which it
addressed these problems.
2. That we would continue to seek ways of improving
our performance within the structure existing.
3. That we would use our influence to encourage strict
enforcement of Federal alchol laws on Indian reservations.
4. That we would review the Mexican Ambassador's
itinerary to the U.S. so as to assure him of some
contact with indigenous peoples of the U.S.
5. That we would review the current status of Nesqually
appeals to the DOI. Scott Keep is committed to looking
at this.
6. That we would attempt to become more familiar with
the FBI's operation Bicentennial to determine if another
agency of the government is violating its trust
responsibility.
GERALD FORD LIBRAR ,
-3-
7. That we would meet with this group again after
they have met with other Federal agencies, Indian
groups and etc., probably within one week.
I think that the commitments I made were reasonable, I
would like to have your comments as to their reasonableness
and as to how we can effectuate these things. I have already
spoken with Tom Oxendine about the Mexican Ambassador's
itinerary and he is going to check with you in regard to a
Sam Delorea suggestion to have Vicky Santana accompany the
Mexican Ambassador. It would be useful if we could complete
our review of these commitments and be able to indicate some
positive action on these commitments by our next meeting.
I concur in your suggestion that the meeting should be held
Tuesday or Wednesdary of next week. This meeting is now
set for 3:00 pm. Dr. Marrs volunteered to attend such a
meeting along with Bobbie Kilberg.
I feel that the meeting was generally good. Dr. Marrs and
I strongly conveyed support for elected Tribal governments
and for this group's participation with Tribal governments
in bringing about their suggested changes. I would like
your general reaction to this memorandum and other feedback
you get concerning this particular meeting.
cc:
Loren Rivard
Ted Marrs
Mr. Shaphard
Scott Keep
R. Smoak
GE3RLD FORD JBRARY
July 8, 1976
Name
Representing
Jim Schermerhorn
Department of Justice
Office of Indian Rights
Scott Keep
Department of Interior
Solicitor's Office
Gene Heavy Runner
Blackfeet Nation
Browning, Montana
Ida Stuntz
Klallam Nation
Washington State
George Redstone
Assiniboine Nation
Ft. Peck Indian Reservation
Wolf Point, Montana
Medicine Chief
Blackfeet Nation
Browning, Montana
Bill Franklin
Franks Landing, Wn.
Nisqually Tribe
Ted Marrs
White House
Hank Adams
AIPRC - Task Force No. 1
Susan Harjo
NCAI
Sid Mills
Trail of Self-Determination
R. Dennis Ickes
Department of Interior
Deputy Under Secretary
Bud Shapard
Department of Interior
Bureau of Indian Affairs
George Ortez
News Photo.-World Week
/ FURD LIBRARY