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Correspondence, August - October 1976
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Correspondence, August - October 1976
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Correspondence, August - Oct. 1976"
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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 1 of the Bradley H. Patterson Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
PRESIDENT FORD'S POLICIES FOR AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE
When I signed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act in January, 1975, I described that legislation as a "milestone
for Indian people." During my Congressional career and my two
years as President, I have tried to make Indian self-determination
effective and successful.
I recognize the special relationship of trust that Indian tribes
have with the United States, and I have often emphasized that
support of self-determination includes oppositon to any deterioration
of this relationship.
Because of the many needs on Indian reservations--for economic
development, improved health care, increased educational oppor-
tunities, better roads, liveable housing--I have urged the strength-
ening of tribal governments. In this new era of Indian self-
determination, the elected leadership of Indian tribes is the key
to successful achievement of the goals of America's first citizens.
History has demonstrated that the Federal government's domination
cannot meet the needs nor solve the problems of our Indian citizens.
Paternalism of the past in Indian affairs is a proven failure.
Consequently, I have sought to make available to Indian tribes the
resources and technical assistance needed for them to solve their
own problems and achieve their own goals.
I have backed up policies and promises with money:
In the past six years the budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
has been increased by almost 300 percent and the Indian health budget
has grown by almost 400 percent. The Department of Commerce is
targeting $27.7 million for Indian economic planning and economic
development in 1977. The Comprehensive Employment and Training
Act administered by the Department of Labor, allocates significant
funds to Indian people: before the CETA was enacted (in FY 1973)
manpower allocations for Indians totaled $17.3 million; today Indian
manpower funds total $75 million, including $52.6 million going
directly to 157 Indian prime sponsors. The Office of Education's
special funds for Indian education have risen from $18 million in
FY 1973 to $42 million today.
I have asked Cabinet agencies to give particular attention to
many special concerns of the Indian people. Among these is the
need for reform to protect Indian family life. Too many Indian
children are separated from their parents and improved social
services are needed to alleviate this problem.
FORD LIBRARY & SIRALD
2
The Administration is encouraging Indian Tribal Councils to
adopt their own juvenile and family protection codes and has
supported the National Indian Judges Association in a three-
year training program to enable tribal judges to handle more
effectively divorce, child custody, and welfare cases.
It is definitely the Administration's policy to reduce the numbers
of younger Indian children who are at boarding schools for long
periods of time. In fact, total elementary age enrollment in
these schools is down by 6,000, while most of the, rest are Navajo
children who go home on weekends. But closing all the boarding
schools would fly in the face of the strong desires of the affected
tribes themselves and would in fact remove what is the only
educational resource for some Indian children.
I have directed the Departments of Interior and Justice to give
high priority to the protection of Indian natural resources
rights, especially water rights. We are defending 23 water
rights cases, 13 hunting and fishing cases and 21 land rights cases.
We have won milestone decisions for Indian rights in a number of
these proceedings.
I am still awaiting Congressional action on my proposal to create
an Indian Trust Counsel Authority which would be able to intervene
in any court as a Federal Government advocate for Indian natural
resources rights.
There has been an enormous surge in Indian education these past
several years. More than 16,000 Indian students with Federal
grants now attend college and university campuses to gain the
professional skills needed in their communities.
We have halted the erosion of the tribal land base and
restorations have been achieved of Blue Lake, Mt. Adams, and the
Menominee lands, while the historic Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act has become law.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has been transformed from a non-
Indian organization providing services and running programs for
Indians to a predominantly Indian organization which works with
Indian communities to help them meet their program and service
needs. New Indian service sections have been established in
many other agencies such as HEW, HUD, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor,
and Justice.
FORD
a.r.
ERALD
3
The Indian Financing Act is being implemented and having a marked
effect on economic development on the reservations. Revenue
sharing reaches Indian tribal governments directly; education
monies are granted or contracted so as to strengthen the role of
Indian parent advisory groups in having a say in the education of
their children.
Funds under the National Indian Education Act, for instance, have
now reached 1,200 school districts and 235 grantees.
The policy of Indian self-determination has led to increased
responsibilities and roles for tribal governing bodies through
the contracting of erstwhile Federal programs and in other ways.
This policy must continue and expand to the point that the Indian
communities are truly controlling their own destinies.
The successful implementation of Indian self-determination lays
the groundwork for Indian communities to effect solutions to
numerous chronic problems which have long afflicted the reser-
vations.
Finally, I have urged my White House Staff and government agencies
to meet Indian people with open doors and sensitivity. These
officials are in daily contact with national Indian leadership
organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians
the National Tribal Chairmen's Association, the United Indian
Planners Association, the Americans for Indian Opportunity and
a dozen others that assist their memberships toward better oppor-
tunities.
As I said when I met with a group of Indian leaders in the White
House on July 16, "Together we can write a new chapter in the
history of this land that we all serve and this land that we all
share.
"
August 5, 1976
Steve:
A fairly careful check yesterday afternoon
and last night reveals to me that among those
of us familiar with Indian policy -- Commissioner
of Indian Affairs Thompson, Ted Marrs, myself,
Mrs. Kilberg and Howard Borgstrom of OMB --
none of us had seen that platform language.
After consultation, I suggest the attached
language -- closely similar to what you have,
but different in a couple of important respects.
The words "unique" and "trust relationship" are
important in the Indian community; reservation
resource development and education and employment
problems rank along with health as major matters
to Indian leaders; the reference to the Indian Claims
Commission and the singling out of the Alaska Native
Claims Act are inappropriate in a Platform.
The flavor here of "continuation" and "our"
Indian policy is intentional and also important. We
have done a tremendous amount since 1970 (no room
I assume, to state all those accomplishments), and
we can be very proud of it.
Nothing in the platform language should sound
as though we are only atarting now.
GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD
August 10, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
WILLIAM NICHOLSON
VIA:
WILLIAM BAROODY
FROM:
BRADLEY H. PATTERSON, JR.
SUBJECT:
Invitation to the President to
Address the National Indian
Education Association Meeting
in Albuquerque
I am not very high on his accepting this invitation. Education
is a field in Indian-Federal relations which has been very prickly,
with confrontations in the recent past (some in the courts) between
the Indian Education community and the White House.
It is my understanding that the President has been invited to
attend the Crow Festival in Montana on August 20, and it is also
my understanding that Ted Marrs has long been hoping that
President Ford would be the first President in recent history
to visit an Indian reservation while in office. (Quite a few
thousands of Indian reservation people from many tribes will
be there, I am told.)
Commissioner Thompson and I agree that the Crow Festival
on August 20 would be the best event for such a visit; if the
President is in that part of the country around that time, all the
more so.
I would put my eggs in this basket rather than the event
in Albuquerque.
FORD LIBRARY is 076435
August 23, 1976
Dear Chairman Burch:
Ted Marrs, when he left, mentioned that
you had asked for a special picture of
the President on behalf of the Southern
Ute Tribal Council.
It is a pleasure to send this to you, and
with it go my own cordial regards.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Leonard Burch
Chairman
Southern Ute Tribal Council
Ignacio, Colorado 81137
Enclosed official Presidential portrait-' To the members
of the Souther Ute Indian Tribal Counci. with best wishes (GRF)
FORD i LIBRARY 03RALD
Dear Chief Swimmer:
Mr. Baroody has given me your letter of
July 23 and your suggestion that the President
be present at the signing of the Cherokee Con-
stitution.
I have checked with the Scheduling Office
here and find that for the next few months, the
President's calendar is going to be almost
completely committed.
It would be my respectful advice that you go
ahead and plan the ceremony and set a date; this
important event should not be deferred. Then
inform Commissioner Thompson, let me know
the date you have chosen, and we will see which
VIP visitors might be able to join you.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Chief Ross O. Swimmer
Cherokee Nation
PO Box 119
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464
FORD :- LIBRARY GERALD
bc: Commissioner Morris Thompson
Dear President Driving Hawk:
The President has asked me to thank you
for your letter to him of July 14, for coming
to be with him during the meeting here in
Washington, and especially for the handsome
peace pipe which you presented to him.
We share your concerns about the alienation
of Indian lands and also about the Indian health
facility to which you refer. I am asking that
further checks be made on both these points and
that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the
Director of the Indian Health Service respond to
you directly on these respective matters.
Sincerely yours,
Baadley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Edward Driving Hawk
President
Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council
Rosebud, South Dakota 57570
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
BHP:msp
CC: Commissioner Morris Thompson direct reply
Director Johnson for direct reply
copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
bc: Marge Wicklein
Dear Chief Thunder Sky
Pedro Witson
Peggy Shrader:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your gracious note,
We are glad the medals arrived and were properly
delivered.
The President is strongly committed to the kind
of change we have had in Indian affairs since
1970 and while there is still much to do, we
believe the new directions we have established
will prove of great benefit to the First Americans.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Chief Richard B. Thunder Sky
Pedro Whitson
Peggy J. Shrader
137 N. Fifth Street
Williamsburg, Ohio 45176
BHP;msp
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Dear Mr. Card;
Dr. Ted Marrs has left the White House to
become active in the Indian Health Service
In Albuquerque. The President has asked
me to take his place and I wanted to respond
to your letter.
I am sorry if there seemed to be an omission
about those invited to the July 16 meeting; I
think, however, that the invitations were
generally focused on the largest tribes and
on the nationwide Indian organizations.
I would be very much interested in knowing
more about the United Tribes Council of
Pacific West; which tribes do you represent
and how is the Council chosen? What are its
officers and its program? I would be pleased
to hear from you.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. V. Card
United Tribes Council of Pacific West
PO Box 16114
Sacramento, California 95816
FORD & LIBRARY 078839
Dear Chairman Woods:
Thank you for your letter of August 12 concerning
the candidates for the National Advisory Council
on Indian Education, and recommending Mr.
John R. Jones.
The decision about membership is very close
to being final, but the last step is still to be
taken. We won't rule anybody out until that
point.
We very much appreciate having your recommen-
dation of Mr. Jones and want to assure you that
his candidacy will be given full consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Rev. James H. Woods, Chairman
Lumbee Regional Development Association, Inc.
East Main Street
PO Box 68
Pembroke, North Carolina 28372
BHP:msp
GERALD 18. FORD LIBRARY
Dear Mr. Tomah:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of August 7 about the Comanche
Housing Authority.
The General Accounting Office is an arm of
Congress; it responds to requests made by
Chairmen of Congressional Committees and
by Members of Congress.
Since, however, the Comanche Housing Authority
presumably received funds from either the Depart-
ment of the Interior or HUD, I would think that
one of these agencies would be interested in your
complaint. I will start with the Department of
the Interior and ask them to respond directly
to your inquiry.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Lawrence Tomah, Jr.
Box 187
Walters, Oklahoma 73572
BHP:msp
cc: BIA-Housing Office, copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Dear Mr. McCormick:
The President has asked me to thank you
for your letter of August 14 concerning the
housing needs of the Lower Creek Nation.
I am not immediately familiar with the situation
you describe, but am asking the proper officials
of the Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment to respond directly to your inquiry.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Neal McCormick
Principal Chief
The Lower Creek Muscogee Tribe
Route 1
Tama Reservation
Cairo, Georgia 31728
BHP:msp
cc: HUD-Indian Desk
copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
FORO LIBRARY & 01RALD
Dear Chief McCormick:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of August 12 describing the problems
you have had with the CETA grant.
I do not have the details and specifics about this
matter at my fingertips, but I am asking Assis-
tant Secretary of Labor, William H. Kohlberg,
to respond to you directly with the answer to
your question.
Bill is an outstanding administrator and I know
you will hear from him promptly.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Neal
Mr. Cormick
Principal Chief
The Lower Creek Muscogee Tribe
Route 1
Tama Reservation
Cairo, Georgia 31728
BHP;msp
cc: Assistant Secretary Kohlberg
copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
FORD & LIBRARY 03RALD
Dear Wendell:
It was a pleasure seeing you and Rita and
your daughter the other day. Hope to repeat
the visit out your way some time when schedule
permits.
The President signed the memorandum about
yours truly, and I enclose a copy of it.
Among Ted's papers I found your telegram
of July 14 about school meals eligibility. I
don't know the details of this, but I am going to
find out and am asking the Administrator of
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, to
check and write you directly with an answer to
your question. ru get a copy of his letter, too.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Wendell Chino
President, National Tribal Chairmen's Assn.
Mescalero Apache Tribal Council
PO Box 326
Mescalero, New Mexico 88340
cc: The Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service
Department of Agriculture for direct reply
copy to Bradley Patterson
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Dear Mr. Niebell:
Permit me to respond to your two letters of May 22, 1976 to
Dr. Ted Marrs. Ted has departed from the White House to
become active in the Indian Health Service in Albuquerque; I
apologize for the delay in replying. I appreciate your taking
the time and trouble to send copies of the Hayes and other de-
cisions involving the Creek Nation's claim to the riverbeds
within the boundaries of the former Creek Nation.
You have asked for an opinion with respect to the extent to
which the Creek Nation may go in its new proposed constitution
toward revitalizing its tribal authority. I am reluctant to give
my opinion in the abstract as to how far the tribe may go in re-
vitalizing the tribal authority because I am not familiar with the
full range of the tribe's needs. I would not want to be in a
position of pre-empting or stifling tribal authority by suggesting
possible or hypothetical limitations on the extent of that authority.
One of the purposes of Interior's review of the proposed constitu-
tion would be to see If any of the tribal authority which the leaders
would propose to exercise has been limited by Congress. I would
encourage the leaders of the Creek Nation to proceed with the de-
velopment and submission of their proposed constitution as rapidly
as possible.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Paul M. Niebell
910 - 17th Street NW
Suite 419
Washington, D. C. 20006
FORD LIBRARY is GERALD
Dear Chief Barlow:
The President has asked me to thank you for your
letter of July 30 asking about the status of H.R. 11018.
In checking, I find that this bill has not been scheduled
for hearings by either House or Senate Committees.
Since what those Committees do is a Congressional
rather than a Presidential matter, you will have to
ask Chairman Meeds or Chairman Jackson what
their plans are.
The Committees normally ask the Executive Branch
for reports about pending bills, but we usually send
them up when hearings have actually been scheduled.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Lewis H. Barlow, Chief
Ottawa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma
Post Office Box 110
Miami, Oklahoma 74354
BHP:msp
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Dear Mr. Jacket:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter to him of August 12. He invited follow-
up comments and is glad that you took him up on
his invitation.
I don't have the precise answers at my fingertips
about the problems you describe with the Economic
Development Administration and the Small Business
Administration, but I am going to find out promptly
and am asking the senior officers of EDA and SBA
here in Washington to write you directly.
The President is proud of the changes made since
1970 in Indian policies and programs and appreciates
your own candid observations. You will hear from us.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Henry Jacket, Sr.
Tribal Treasurer
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Towaoc, Colorado 81334
BHP:msp
cc: EDA, Depty Asst. Secretary Joseph Hamrick for
direct reply, with copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
SBA Administrator Mitchell Kobelinski for direct
reply, with copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
GERALD B. FORD LIBRARY
Dear Mr. Trimble:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of August 6 concerning S. 3298.
In doing some checking, I find that your letter
should really have been addressed in the first
instance to the Congress, since whether or not
hearings are held (as in the Senate) or whether
or not a bill is introduced (as in the House) is
a matter for decision at that end of Pennsylvania
Avenue. As soon as hearings are in close prospect,
the Administration will gear up to make a report
on the bill.
As NCAI knows, over the past 6 years the Admin-
istration and the Office of the President have been
in the forefront of protecting Indian natural re-
sources rights; we are proud of that record and
will continue to maintain it.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Charles E. Trimble
Executive Director
National Congress of American Indians
1430 K Street NW - Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
BHP:msp
GERALD R. 1020
Dear Chairman McKay:
The President has asked me to thank you
for your letter of July 14 inquiring about the
school facility at Devil's Lake.
I do not have the answer to your question
at my fingertips, but I am asking the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, Morris Thompson, to respond
to you personally.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Carl McKay, Chairman
Devils Lake Sloux Tribal Council
Fort Totten, North Dakota 58335
BHP:msp
CC: Commissioner Morris Thompson for direct reply
copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
FORD LIBRARY :- GERALD
August 30, 1976
Dear Chief Hewitt:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of August 26 concerning the action
of the Tuscarora Chiefs in regard to Mr.
Hubert Swanson.
I have sent your letter promptly to Assistant
Attorney General Peter Taft of the Department
of Justice to ascertain the applicability of
25 U.S.C.A. PL 180 to the Tuscarora Indian
Nation. Assistant Attorney General Taft should
be in touch with you shortly.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson
Chief Arnold Hewitt
Tuscarora Chiefs in Council
Tuscarora Indian Nation
5616 Walmone Rd.
Via: Lewiston, New York 14092
BHP/tm
FORD & LIBRARY DERALD
Dear Ms. Rank:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of July 30, 1976 transmitting to him
the Resolution of the United Sioux Tribes Number
76-001 of July 29.
I am asking the Secretary of Agriculture to
have a reply sent to you on the substance of
this Resolution since I know he shares your
concern about the drought conditions in the
upper Midwest.
I know you will hear from the Department of
Agriculture promptly.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. Elnita Rank, President
United Sioux Tribes of South Dakota
Po Box 1193
Pierre, South Dakota 57501
BHP:msp
CC: Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz for direct reply
with copy to Bradley Patterson, White House
FORD LIBRARY . GERALD
Dear Mr. Atkinson:
Dr. Marrs, to whom you wrote on August 10,
has left the White House to become active in
the Indian Health Service in Albuquerque. The
President has asked me to take his place.
I would be happy to be kept informed of the
work of the Commission and hope you will send
me the copy of your annual report. If there are
some liaison duties which seem advisable, I
may be able to be helpful.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Hawley Atkinson, Chairman
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission
2708 N. Fourth Street
PO Box 1178
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
BHP:msp
FORD & LIBRARY DERALD
Dear Ms. Blanchard and Bob White:
The President has asked me to thank you
for your telegram and for sending him your
good wishes.
The President is strongly committed to
the changes we have had in Indian affairs
since 1970, and while there is still much
to do to reduce poverty among Indian people,
we believe the new directions we have estab-
lished -- in laws such as the Indian Self-
Determination Act -- will prove of great
benefit to the First Americans.
Cordial regards to the Kickapoo Tribe of
Oklahoma,
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. Cecilia Blanchard
Mr. Bob White
PO Box 58
McLoud, Oklahoma $3006
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
BHP;msp
Dear Chairman Dasheno and
Executive Director Agoyo:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your note to him and to the various Cabinet
Secretaries of July 16.
I am asking each of the responsible Departments
to respond directly to you in answer to the
questions you raise in the paragraphs of your
paper which pertain to their respective programs
In general, we believe that with the new policy and
legislative program for Indian people which has been
in effect beginning in 1970, the kinds of problems are
being addressed with more energy and resources than
at any time in our history.
With respect to your paragraph 10, Revenue Sharing,
I can give you one assurance right now: the President
fully supports the extension of Revenue Sharing and
wants the Congress to take the necessary action promptly.
Of course there is distance still to go -- and we apprec-
late knowing of your specific concerns which we shall
answer in individual communications.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H, Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Walter Dasheno
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Mr. Herman Agoyo
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
PO Box 927
San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico 87566
CC: Department of the Interior BIA-Paragraphs 2,5,8,9,11
Department of the Interior BOR Paragraph 12
Department of Commerce EDA-Paragraphs 3 and 4
Department of HEW - Indian Health Service-Paragraph 6
Department of Mustice -Civil Rights Division-Paragraph 7
Department of Justice-LEAA-Paragraph 11
CC of response to Bradley Patterson, White House
September 3, 1976
Dear Ms. Richardson:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of August 11 requesting Title IV-A
Indian Education funds for your community.
I know that these funds are allocated by the
Department of Health, Education and Welfare,
but after a review by the National Indian Ed-
ucation Advisory Committee. They have many
competing requests from all over the country
and must make many close decisions among
meritorious applications.
I will ask the proper officials to write you
further about your request. I know that they
do try to make the available funds go as far as
possible, and to see that they are used to benefit
the maximum number of Indian children.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. Bertha Richardson
154 N. Saginaw Street
Pontiac, Michigan 48058
cc: w/incoming to S. Gabe Paxton, Jr. Office of
Education, HEW
copy of response requested to Bradley Patterson
White House
GERALD
FORD LIGRARY is
September 3, 1976
Dear Members of the Madera Student Body:
Mr. Marrs, who has left the White House, has
given me his copy of your letter of August 9
to Commissioner Thompson.
I am sure you have heard or will shortly hear
from Commissioner Thompson and I am asking
his office to send me a copy of the response.
We are proud of the progress we have made
in the last several years in Indian education
and training, and I know every effort is being
made to continue and improve these programs
for the benefit of the Indian community as a
whole.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Members of the Student Body
American Indian Enterprises, Inc.
Madera Employment Training Center
19500 Road 28-1/2
Madera, California
FORD LIBRARY if 03RALD
September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Button:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your notes and for sending him the material
on the Pima Indians and their water problems.
I believe the Secretary of the Interior is shortly
going to make some adjudications concerning
Indian water rights in Arizona, 80 I shall send
your communications promptly to him. Also,
a bill has been introduced in Congress (S 3298)
but hearings have not been held on it, and it
is late in the session for a new bill to get
very far.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Button
352 Barbara Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
CC: File to Reid Chambers, Dept. of Interior
for information
FORD LIBRARY is GERALD
September 7, 1976
Dear Ms. Cope:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of July 29 about the Ganienkeh
settlement.
I think I need a bit more information than you
have given me about what the issue is in this
specific case. As a general rule, this Adminis-
tration and the previous one have always preferred
to negotiate with the Indian people rather than
to use violence. We have no reach over State
or local law enforcement, but it is my impression
that local governmental bodies are also much more
sensitive than before about Indian matters.
I will send your letter along right away to the
Department of Justice, so they will know your
views. For my edification, what are the issues
and who are the players in this instance?
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. Joan Cope, Clerk
The Committee on Indian Affairs
of the New York Yearly Meeting
of the Religious Society of Friends
FORD & LIBRARY
201 Houston Avenue
Syracuse, New York, 13224
CC: w/ incoming to Department of Justice, copy of
response requested to Bradley Patterson, White House
September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. Davis:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letters to him, the earlier one of which
he received during the July meeting.
I do not have the specific answers to your
questions at my fingertips, but I want you to
know that I am asking the right officers of
the Departments of Commerce (EDA), Labor
and Interior (BIA) to examine your letter and
to respond.
I would think that the resources being made
available under the Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act, plus those under other statutes such
as CETA and EDA and the Self-Determination
Act would go a long way toward meeting the
needs of the twelve Associations. The kinds of
problems mentioned on page 2 of your letter
are precisely those which the Claims Settlement
Act was designed to address.
We shall ensure that you get a further response.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD i LIBRARY 9ERALD
Mr. Lawrence Davis, President
Kawerak, Inc.
PO Box 505
Nome, Alaska 99762
CC: w/incoming to Ray Tanner, EDA, request for response
re pertinent paragraph pages 4 and 6
CC: w/incoming William Kolberg, Department of Labor,
request for response re pertinent paragra page 4
CC: w/incoming Commissioner Thompson, BIA, request
for reponse re paragraphs on pages 3 and 5
COPIES OF responses requested to Bradley Patterson, White House
September 7, 1976
Dear Ms. Stanevich:
The President has asked me to thank you for your letter to him
of July 27 about the statue of General Custer and about American
Indians.
I am sure you understand that putting up or taking down such a statue
is, of course, a local matter and it would not be right for the Federal
Government to intervene to try to tell a local community what to do.
Perhaps if I may make a purely personal suggestion: rather than tear
down something, see if you and your Native American associates
there could talk to the local school officials and find out if any history
of American Indian people is being taught in history classes there.
Perhaps your group could help as resource people in enriching the
students' studies.
We are very proud that for the past six years the Federal Government
has given very special attention to American Indian problems and is
strengthening Tribal Governments, standing up for Indian natural re-
sources rights, aiding economic planning and development on Indian
Reservations, improving Indian health and Indian education and seeing
to it that Indian people get their fair shre of federal assistance pgograms.
share
original corrected
It is a long story and of course we have a long way still to go -- but
federal programs and policies are definitely now on the right track
to the benefit of Indian people.
We very much appreciate hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. Jane Stanevich
R.F.D. #1
Scio, Ohio 43988
GERALD ? LISBARY FORD
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September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. Fonda:
Thank you for your note of August 26.
I talked with several offices in HEW. They have
fellowships, but these are limited to American
students in American medical schools. They have
a guaranteed loan program, and that office is going
to mail you the particulars; American students
abroad are eligible, they tell me, but funds for this
quarter are pretty well obligated.
There is also a helpful outfit, I am told; the American
Medical Student Association Foundation in Chicago.
The phone number is: (312) 259-7450.
I hope this is responsive to your inquiry. The pro-
cessing of the applications themselves is, of course,
a merit procedure and ex parte participation, i.e.
from here, is not appropriate.
Sid Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Cordially,
N
Mr. Willard C. Fonda
3076 Sloat Road
Pebble Beach, California 93953
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FORD LIBRARY & SERVID
September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. Schultz:
The President has asked me to thank you for your
letter to him of August 26. I want especially to
express my appreciation for your summary of the
UIPA meeting; I came on the last day to give the
luncheon address, but missed the earlier days.
We are proud of the new directions which the Indian
community is taking and proud that in the past six
years the Federal Government has been side by
side with them In assisting them to upgrade the
rights, status and management capabilities of Tribal
Governments. The UIPA will be a big help in this
process.
It was a pleasure to hear from you.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Milton B. Schults
2103 W. Fifth
Spokane, Washington
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FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. Whitecrow:
The President has asked me to respond to your letter of July 22, 1976
expressing your concerns over an OMB memorandum of April 19, 1976.
The President's remarks of July 16, 1976, set forth his policies on
Indian programs. He said, "I am committed to furthering the self-
determination of Indian communities but without terminating the
special relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian
people. I am strongly opposed to termination." The President an-
nounced his intention to direct the heads of all Cabinet Departments
with Indian responsibilities to give priority attention to the coordination
of Indian programs, and he wholeheartedly and unequivocally pledged
the cooperation of his Administration in working with Indian people to
improve the quality of Indian life by providing soundly managed programs
and a stable policy.
The OMB memorandum to which your letter refers, on the other hand,
is not a plan nor does It contain recommendations. Rather, written
as a basis for internal discussions, it sets out contrasting approaches
to the nature of Federal Indian programs, states alternative ways of
achieving coordination of such programs, and discusses the relationship
between program nature and coordination. Similar staff papers for
OMB discussion purposes are routinely written on a variety of topics.
Obviously, none of such analysis constitutes a policy, much less an
Administration policy. Excerpts from the document -- especially
those which incorporate illustrations -- cannot help but be misleading.
I hope that this clarifies this matter for you and wish to extend the
President's appreciation for bringing your concerns to his attention.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Jake L. Whitecrow, Commissioner
GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD
American Indian Policy Review Commission
PO Box 1308
Miami, Oklahoma 74354
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September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. Davis:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letters to him, the earlier one of which
he received during the July meeting.
I do not have the specific answers to your
questions at my fingertips, but I want you to
know that I am asking the right officers of
the Departments of Commerce (EDA), Labor
and Interior (BIA) to examine your letter and
to respond.
I would think that the resources being made
available under the Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act, plus those under other statutes such
as CETA and EDA and the Self-Determination
Act would go a long way toward meeting the
needs of the twelve Associations. The kinds of
problems mentioned on page 2 of your letter
are precisely those which the Claims Settlement
Act was designed to address.
We shall ensure that you get a further response.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Mr. Lawrence Davis, President
Kawerak, Inc.
PO Box 505
Nome, Alaska 99762
CC: w/incoming to Ray Tanner, EDA, request for response
re pertinent paragraph pages 4 and 6
cc: w/incoming William Kolberg, Department of Labor,
request for response re pertinent paragra page 4
CC: w/incoming Commissioner Thompson, BIA, request
for reponse re paragraphs on pages 3 and 5
COPIES OF responses requested to Bradley Patterson, White House
September 7, 1976
Dear Mr. DeRush:
Your letter to the President of last December
turned up in a group of letters I inherited from
a gentleman who has just left the White House
staff. It is full of very intelligent and helpful
comments.
I have tried to reach you by phone, but in vain.
Perhaps if you would send me your telephone
number, I could call you and discuss with you
some of the points you have covered. We are
very proud of what we have done in the past
six years to reverse the mistakes of the previous
200. It would be a pleasure to chat with you.
Sorry for the long delay!
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Gilbert DeRush
255 S. Avenue 55#8
Highland Park, California 90042
FORD LIBRARY is
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September 7, 1976
Dear Chairman Plumage:
Thank you for your letter of August 25.
What you raise is obviously an operational
and internal BIA matter -- clearly therefore
the best person to respond would be Com-
missioner Thompson. If he assured you that
you would hear from him, I am confident
he will keep his word. I am sending him a
copy of your letter as a reminder, and I
feel certain you will hear from him directly
and soon.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Charles Plumage, Tribal Chairman
Fort Belknap Community Council
Fort Belknap Agency
Harlem, Montana 59526
CC: w/incoming to Commissioner Morris Thompson
copy of response requested to Bradley Patterson,
White House
IGERAD FORD LIBRARY
September 8, 1976
Dear Mrs. Bocook:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your recent note to him about the St. Labre
School.
It has not been my impression that the St. Labre
School is closing, but I am going to ask the Area
Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in
Billings, Mr. James Canan, to respond to you
directly and give you a complete answer to your
question.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in Indian
affairs; money for Indian education has nearly
tripled in recent years and thousands of Indian
children on and near reservations are receiving
better benefits from it.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mrs. Grace Bocook
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
5458 Third Avenue
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901
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CC: with incoming to James Canan for further direct response
copy of response to Bradley Patterson, White House
September 8, 1976
Dear Mr. McKinnon:
Thank you for your letter of the 2nd and
please pass my thanks on for the gracious
tour which was arranged during my brief
but most enjoyable visit to the Pacific
Northwest Indian Center.
Made the plane OK, thanks to the ladies
who kindly took me to the airport.
It was a pleasure to learn so much about
the work and accomplishments of the Center.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Joseph F. McKinnon
Director
The Pacific Northwest Indian Center
East 200 Cataldo
PO Box 3044 t.a.
Spokane, Washington 99220
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FORD LIBRARY & 928470
September 10, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SARAH MASSENGALE
FROM:
BRAD PATTERSON
SUBJECT:
Indian Health Bill - Draft Signing
Statement
I would suggest a couple of amendments to the draft which I
sent you the other day:
1. At the end of the fourth paragraph (and for the
beginning of the fifth) insert the following:
The Second Session of the 94th Congress has also
greatly improved this bill from its earlier form: its
cost has been reduced from $1. 6 billion to $480 million
and the number of years of specifically authorized
funding have been cut from seven to three. These
improvements, and the bipartisan support which the
improved bill enjoye, make S 522 much more
acceptable.
% 522 is, of course, but an authorization;
2. Re-identify the bill as S-522 throughout the statement.
(The bill passed the Senate yesterday with a couple of amendments,
78-0).
Let's discuss soon.
FORD LIBRARY is GERALD
September 10, 1976
Dear Louie:
Since the President's memorandum of August 26, designating
me to help in the coordination of Indian policies and programs,
I have reviewed very carefully the papers and background con-
cerning the request of the traditional chiefs and headmen for a
"Presidential Treaty Review Commission". I have gone over
the notes of our two-day meeting at Harper's Ferry in June
and the earlier meeting and luncheon we had with Chief Fools
Crow here at the White House. I have re-read Larry Red Shirt's
letter of June 14, 1976 where, in the attachment, he indicates
he wants the President to "approve and support the concept of
the Presidential Treaty Review Commission".
What I am still trying to get clear -- and I need your help in
doing this -- are specific details about the precise functions
of such a Commission, its authority, responsibilities, member-
ship, funding, reporting deadline and the proposed procedures
for holding sessions.
I must explain that there are very strict standards for staff
work which all modern Presidents impose here within the
White House. Before a Presidential decision is made, a mem-
orandum must go to the Bresident spelling out exactly what is
being requested, the pros and cons of why it is needed, and very
specific descriptions of what the President is being asked to
approve. Laws or other authorities must be indicated to show
that the President has the power to take the requested action
and to show that if he creates some body or institution, even a
temporary one, he has the further authority to fund it.
This may seem a bit elaborate, but I assure you It is an ess-
ential aspect of the modern Presidency. The Congress, the
General Accounting Office or the Courts are very quick to object
to any Presidential action which is not within the law; President
Ford insists on making sure, ahead of time, that he is never put
in that position. That means memoranda which are in writing
and which are prepared with great precision.
GERALD R.FORD VIBRARY
-2-
My careful review of your proposal for a "Presidential
Treaty Commission" gives me practically nothing on the basis
of which to prepare such a memorandum to the President.
In addition to the questions raised above, there are others
which come to mind about your proposal: would such a Commission
for example, review Indian treaties generally or be limited to
the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty? In either case, what would be
such a Commission's relationship with the elected Tribal leaders,
generally or with those of the Pine Ridge Sioux? What would be
the Commission's relationship with Task Forde I of the American
Indian Policy Review Commission, which currently is reviewing
all the Indian treaties?
What is lacking in Mr. Red Shirt's letter, and in the letter to
the President from the traditional chiefs and headmen of July
24, 1976, are any specifics of this sort.
As you know, Mrs. Kilberg and I have already informed the
traditional chiefs at our Harper's Ferry meeting that a Treaty
Review Commission could not assume a treaty-negotiating role,
since that is proscribed by Congress pursuant to 25 USC 71.
With respect to implementation, specifically, of the Treaty of
Fort Laramie of 1868, you remember that we have called to
the attention of the traditional chiefe and headmen the letter to
them from the Assistant to the President of January 8, 1974. This
letter and its detailed attachment answered a series of fifteen
questions which the chiefs propounded about the 1868 Treaty --
pointing out that the United States has "never disclaimed or
declared invalid the 1868 Treaty as a whole"-- but that "portions
have been modified, revoked, superceded or satisfied: -- in most
cases by the Congress or the Courts. That letter was an ex-
haustive discussion of the Treaty of 1868 and its aftermath (other
than the pending Claims Commission action )and I honestly don't
think there is anything the Executive Branch can add to it.
GETAL FORD LIBRARY
Mr. Richard Parsons, I notice, has also responded to the Lakota
Treaty Council on April 1, 1976 that the President cannot, as
they suggested, stop the Indian Claims Commission action with
respect to the same Black Hills Case.
In view of these facts, my colleagues in the White House and I
are quite unclear as to what the functions of a Presidential
Treaty Review Commission would be that have not already been
handled in laws in Claims cases or in past correspondence.
-3-
This letter is therefore a request for your assistance; please
consult with your associates and respond in writing and in
detail about the need, the authority, the make-up, and the
functioning of the proposed Treaty Review Commission. I
assure you in return that we here, together with the Secretary
of the Interior and the Attorney General -- who also would
naturally be consulted by the President on this matter --
will then go over your material carefully and will get a
Presidential decision, as you have requested.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Louis Bad Wound
Pine Ridge Reservation
South Dakota
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FORD LIBRARY 2 GENALD
September 13, 1976
Dear Mr. Mackety:
The President has asked me to thank you for your
letter to him of July 21, 1976, which you personally
delivered to me at our meeting August 25.
I have checked carefully here at the White House
and find that it is the President's preference to have
the Secretary go ahead with his present plan to identify
and set forth standards and procedures for recogni-
tion of Indian tribes -- a plan which means that all
the pending applications for recognition would be de-
ferred for a short time longer until those standards
and procedures have been clarified.
I have checked with Interior, and find that this work
is nearing completion.
I think the Huron Potawatomi tribe will find these
new standards reasonable and I will help ensure
that you get a prompt answer to your basic inquiry.
It was a genuine pleasure for me to have met you and
your associates and I want to keep open the doors of
communication which our meetings began.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. David Mackety, President
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
R.R. #1
Fulton, Michigan 49052
BHP:msp
15d3 James P. Hillman, Director
Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs
Robert J. Horn, Special Asst. to Governor Milliken
BC: Mr. Borgstrom, OMB
Les Gay, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Reid Chambers, Dept. of Interior, Office of the Secretary
September 15, 1976
Dear Mr. Witte:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your note to him of September 1 about Leonard
Crow Dog.
I do not know the particulars in this case, but I
am asking the responsible officers of the Depart-
ment of Justice to respond to you further; they
are well informed about the case.
The newly elected Tribal Chairman of the Oglala
Sioux is Mr. Al Trimble, and many of us here
in Washington are working closely with Chairman
Trimble to assist him and the tribe in additional
areas of economic and social development. In
general, we are proud of the new policies and
legislation which the Administration has pioneered
in over the past six years and we share your con-
victions about continuing to work for the benefit
of Indian people everywhere.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Herman Witte
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
5329 North Sydenham Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141
CC: with incoming to Mr. Thornberg (Att: Roger Cubbage)
Dept. of Justice (Givil Rights Division) for further
response to Mr. Witte Criminal
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September 16, 1976
Dear Mr. Maynor:
Thank you for your gracious note of the
9th.
I very much want to be kept on the mailing
list for monthly newsletter of the Lumbee
Regional Development Association.
With warm personal regards,
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Kenneth R. Maynor
Executive Director
Lumbee Regional Development Association, Inc.
East Main Street
PO Box 68
Pembroke, North Carolina 28372
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FORD LIBRARY & 07V870
September 16, 1976
Dear Mr. Ritter:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your recent letter to him about Indian affairs.
I had occasion just the other day to write up
a short piece describing what the President's
policies have been and are now about Indians,
and I thought you would like to see a copy --
it is enclosed.
If you have any other questions, would you do
me the favor of dropping me a note with your
telephone numbersand I will be glad to call
you and try to answer them.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Walter W. Ritter
3101 Federalist
Sacramento, Callfornia 98527
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Enc: President Ford" policies for American Indian people
FORD LIBRARY is GENALD
September 16, 1976
Dear Mr. Vall:
The President has asked me to thank you for your
letter to him of September 8 about Leonard Crow Dog.
I do not know the particulars in this case, but I am
asking the responsible officers of the Department of
Justice to respond to you further; they are well in-
formed about the case.
The newly elected Tribal Chairman of the Ogiala Sloux
is Mr. AI Trimble, and many of us here in Washington
are working closely with Chairman Trimble to assist
him and the tribe in additional areas of economic and
social development. In general, we are proud of the
new policies and legislation which the Administration
has pioneered in over the past six years and we share
your convictions about continuing to work for the
benefit of Indian people everywhere.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Morgan W. Vail
4104 Winding Creek Rd.
Sacramento, California 95825
CC: with incoming to Mr. Thornberg (Att. Roger Cubbage)
Dept. of Justice, Criminal Division for further response
to Mr. Vail
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
September 17, 1976
Dear Mr. Bolin:
This is in response to the Senate Joint Memorial 1001, Thirty-
second Legislature, Second Regular Session, urging the
President and Congress of the United States to ensure the main-
tenance of educational support aid under the Johnson' O'Malley Act.
Regulations promulgated pursuant to P.L. 93-638 require that
the amount of operational support which has been taken "off-the-top"
of the Johnson-O'Malley program for public schools from the
Bureau be reduced each year by 1/3 of that amount received by
the school in FY 1976. This requirement occurs in order to
maximise the Indian control over the expenditure of these funds,
and was recommended by the Indian community during national
consultation sessions.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs had considered waiving this requirement;
however, the Office of the Solicitor, Department of the Interior
has ruled that, "The provision in Section 273.31 (a) relating to
the reduction of operational support is a matter involving the
settlement in Denetclarence which cannot be unilaterally changed
by waiver or exception under the provisions of 25 CFR 2.1."
This Administration is truly concerned about the plight in which
many public schools find themselves as a result of this action.
Be assured that we are continuing to seek alternatives which will
benefit these schools and the children they serve.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD & LIBRARY BERALD
Mr. Wesley Bolin
Secretary of State
State House
Phoenix, Arizona
September 17, 1976
Dear Mr. Forbes:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your note to him of September 3 about Indian
water rights in Central Arizona.
There is a bill recently introduced in the Senate
(S 3298) on this matter, but no hearings have
been yet scheduled and the Administration
therefore has not yet reported on it.
I did notice in a series of newspaper clippings
the other day the enclosed one, from the Gal-
lup Independent of August 17, and some comments
by a Senate candidate there. They throw a
little light on the issues involved in S 3298.
We are proud of our 7-year record of defending
Indian trust rights; have won a series of major
court decisions, and appreciate your own expres-
sion of interest and concern.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Gerald Forbes
4001 Idlewild Road
Austin, Texas
Enc: news clipping
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FORD & LIBRARY 03RALD
September 17, 1976
Dear Miss Lowes:
The President has asked me to thank you for
your note to him of September 3 about the
Indian water rights in Central Arizona.
There is a bill recently introduced in the
Senate (S 3298) on this matter, but no hear-
ings have been yet scheduled and the Adminis-
tration therefore has not yet reported on it.
I did notice in a series of newspaper clippings
the other day the enclosed one, from the Gallup
Independent of August 17, and some comments
by a Senate candidate there. They throw a
little light on the Issue involved in S 3298.
We are proud of our 7-year record of defending
Indian trust rights; have won a series of major
court decisions, and appreciate your own ex-
pression of interest and concern.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Miss Ruth Lowes
1506 Creekmere Drive
Canyon, Texas 79015
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FORD & LIBRARY 9ERALD
Enclo news clipping
September 17, 1976
Dear Mr. Koster:
Enjoyed talking with you on the telephone, and
invite you to call me again if you have questions
about Indian matters.
I enclose the Department of Justice's response
to the many letters they receive about Mr. Crow
Dog. That letter is rather persuasive, and if
one wanted to pursue the matter further I think
that one should go and read the 8th Circuit's
two opinions before doing anything else.
Cordial personal regards,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. John Koster
508 Ackerman Avenue
Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452
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enclosed attached correspondence
FORD & LIBRARY GENALD
September 22, 1976
Dear Ms. McGuire:
The President has asked me to thank you and your friends
for your recent note to him about Indians.
In the last six years we have turned the corner on all
our relations with Indian peoples, and our policies now
are stonngly to support Tribal Governments and especially
to defend Indian land and trust rights. I don't know of
any example of Indians being "moved off their land" and
would appreciate it ff you could give me the instance
what you have in mind. There are some complicated
legal issues here and there of what land is Indian
land but those are being resolved mostly in the Courts.
We bigorously supported, for instance, the restoration
of Blue Lake lands to the Taos Pueblo, of 21,000 acres
to the Yakima and supported the Menominee restoration
bill.
As to strip mining, I know of two instances where this
is being done (Navajo and Crow), in both cases with the
full permission of the Tribal Government; in both
instances, of course, the tribe is earning important
income from the mining.
Hope to hear from you further.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Assistant Director
Presidential Personnel Office
Ms. Florence McGuire
1157 Amador Avenue
Berkeley, California 94707
FORD + LIBRARY 078830
October 4, 1976
Dear Miss Cohen:
In response to your expression of
interest in the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (S. 522), I am very
pleased to tell you that the Presi-
dent has just signed this significant
piece of legislation.
I enclose a copy of the President's
Signing Statement and with it goes
the President's appreciation to you
for your own support on this important
matter.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORDO i LIBRARY 038870
Miss Leona Cohen
Post Office Box 1711
Omak, Washington 98841
Enclosure
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BHP-4
October 4, 1976
Dear Mrs. Fate:
Having taken Dr. Marrs' place, I wanted to respond to
your letter of September 10 and to the Resolutions
adopted at the Sixth Annual Conference of the North
American Indian Women's Association in June.
I am very pleased to tell you in response to Resolution
2-76 that the President has signed the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act. I enclose a copy of his Signing
Statement.
My charter from the President (copy attached) involves
me closely in problems of interagency coordination. I
would like to explore with you pursuant to Resolution
9-76 what I can do -- and what the Association can do --
to assist in the process of ensuring that the various
Federal agencies serving Indian people work effectively
together. I should particularly like any examples of
lack of coordination or suggestions for improvement you
might send me.
Your Resolution 10-76 applies to the Congress; the
Executive Branch does not testify or take formal
positions on Concurrent Resolutions.
I am very pleased to have the commendations expressed in
Resolution 11-76.
I will ask Dr. Johnson to respond to you directly con-
cerning Resolution 13-76, since that is an operational
matter within his jurisdiction.
I am asking Commissioner Thompson to respond to you
directly about Resolution 17-76 since he, of course, is
very familiar with the concerns of Alaska Native people.
FORD LIBRARY is
-2-
I hope we will have the opportunity to meet soon and
want to thank you and the Association for bringing
these matters to our attention.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mrs. Mary Jane Fate
President
North American Indian Women's
Association
SR Box 30586
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
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FORDO is LIBRARY 078839
October 5, 1976
Dear Mr. Rockwell:
Thank you for sending me the copy of Mrs. Randall's
letter. I an very sorry to see any tension or 111-
will between Indian and non-Indian.
I learned a lot from our meeting in September and
was glad to have your views presented first-hand.
We would repeat our invitation to you and to Tom
Tobin to supplement our meeting by setting forth
your position in writing and by putting down in
writing some of the legislative and/or administrative
recommendations which you and your associates would
suggest.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD is LIBRARY 078839
Mr. F. Wayne Rockwell
President
Montanans Opposing Discrimination
Post Office Box 673
Folson, Montana 59860
bee: Mr. Ickes
Mr. Taft
Mrs. Kilberg
BHP:pft
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 6, 1976
Dear Mr. Snyder:
The August - September Newsletter of the Friends Committee
on National Legislation carried a special box captioned "American
Indians. " It stated that the Ford Administration has opposed enact-
ment of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and "opposed efforts
to protect Indian land and water resources. 11
The President, after personal review, decided to sign the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and I am forwarding a copy
of his Signing Statement, along with our own thanks for the support
and interest in this legislation by the Friends.
The reference to opposing efforts to protect Indian land and
water resources is, however, troublesome to me because it does
not reflect the facts and thus the fairness which otherwise charac-
terizes the activities of the Friends.
I would very much appreciate it if the Newsletter would afford
me the opportunity to correct this unfair statement and, for that
purpose, I enclose here a brief summary of the actions which the
Ford Administration and its predecessors have taken to stand up
for the land and water rights of American Indian people.
Sincerely
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Edward F. Snyder
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
245 Second Street, N. E.
Washington, D. C. 20002
Attachment
File - Brad Patterson
PROTECTING INDIAN LAND AND WATER RIGHTS
FORD is LIBRARY 938830
The President in 1970 proposed, and his staff lobbied hard and successfully
to have Congress restore the sacred Blue Lake lands to the Taos Pueblo. The
President signed this bill in December of 1970.
The White House worked for two years to arrange for the return to the Yakima
Tribe of 21, 000 acres of land improperly taken from them by a Presidential
mistake in 1906. The land was returned in 1972.
The White House strongly supported the Menominee Restoration Bill as a leading
example of the President's rejection of the terminationist philosophy of the '50s.
The bill was signed and is being implemented.
The White House itself designed, proposed and lobbied hard for the version of
the Alaska Native Claims Act which passed and which now guarantees Alaskan
natives 40, 000, 000 acres of land and a billion dollars in the 50th State.
The White House intervened to make sure that the government, as trustee, effectively
supported Indian treaty rights in the fishing case in the State of Washington. The
resulting Boldt decision is a milestone of protection for these rights.
The White House made sure that the Interior and Justice Departments strongly
supported the Paiutes in the famed Pyramid Lake case. They did and the brief filed
in the Supreme Court is a classic statement for Indian water rights.
The White House intervened with the Justice Department to ensure that whenever
there is a court case where Interior wants the Indian trust rights spoken for,
this will be done, even if the Federal brief is itself "split." The Ford White
House reaffirms this arrangement and reaffirms its six-year-old support for
the creation by Congress of an Indian Trust Counsel Authority which will always
defend Indian natural resources rights wherever they are challenged.
The Stevens decision protects Indian land from improper taxation; the White House
intervened to ensure that the Indian trust rights were reflected in the Federal
brief in court.
Besides signing the Indian Self-Determination Act in 1975 and the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act in 1976, President Ford told an assemblage of Indian
leaders from all over the nation on July 16, 1976:
"Many Indian reservations contain valuable natural resources. There
must be the proper treatment of these resources with respect for nature,
which is a traditional Indian value, My Attorney General has established
an Indian resources section whose sole responsibility is litigation on
behalf of Indian tribes to protect your natural resources and your juris-
dictional rights. 11
Sometimes there are controversies as to precisely what the Indian treaty and
trust rights are; litigation is often necessary to determine them. President Ford
will continue to honor and protect Indian treaty and trust rights, and the record
backs this up.
October 7, 1976
FORDO is LIBRARY 078870
Dear Ted:
Thank you for your note of the 27th about Kawerak. I read
Mr. Leonard's letter carefully and then had a long talk on
the telephone with Mr. David Dougherty, the Staff Director
of the Federal Regional Council in Seattle, and have also
consulted with Commissioner Thompson.
Mr. Dougherty tells me that the Federal Regional Council is
currently meeting to work on the design for an accounting
system which could be used by the non-profit Alaska native
corporations and which would fit their needs vis-a-vis all
the different Federal agencies whose funds go to those
corporations. He said he did not believe that one had to go
the route of the Joint Funding simplification Act (PL 93-510)
in order to institute this common accounting system. He was
pretty firm, however, that any of the non-profit corporations
which are experiencing the kind of problems apparent at
Kawerak (which is in bankruptoy) must get their management
and accounting systems in much better shape before they go
after more Federal funds. The Council, through this proposed
accounting system, is helping them do this.
Mr. Dougherty added that the AFN has been given money to
provide managerial assistance to the non-profit corporations
but he indicated that this task has not been discharged as
was originally intended.
I know that Commissioner Thompson and Mr. Dougherty would be
glad to discuss this situation in much greater detail with
you, since they both are following it closely.
Cordially,
Bradley B. Patterson, Jr.
The Honorable Ted Stevens
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
CC: Commissioner Thompson
CC: Mr. Dougherty
October 8, 1976
Dear Mr. Nuckols:
I am responding on behalf of the President to
your letter of September 27.
I am asking Mr. Sandy McNabb of the Department
of Labor to respond directly to your inquiry,
since he is wery familiar with the case to
which you refer and has direct operational
responsibility for the matter.
Sincerely yours,
Brad H. Patterson
Inoli/Jack Nuckols
FORD LIBRARY s 038839
Administrator
Tecumseh Confederacy
Indian Manpower Program
147 Hill Street
Xenia, Ohio 45385
FILE TO SANDY MCNABB FOR FURTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION
BHP:cac
October 8, 1976
Dear Mr. Crooks:
In further response to your letter to me
aboutaa flag, I am sorry that this must
be a disappointing reply to your request.
However, the flags which are flown over
the White House are used as long as they
are serviceable and then, according to
proper flag protocol, are burned.
You may wish to write to the Congressman
from your District of one of the Senators
from you State for help in obtaining a
flag which has flown over the United States
Congress.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORG : LIBRARY GERALD
Mr. Glynn A. Crooks
Tribal Council
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Route One, Box 107
Shakopee, Minnesota 55379
BHP:cac
October 8, 1976
Dear Commissioner Thompson:
Attached is some coprespondence from Mr.
Frederick Boyd of Detroit about and old Indian
cemetery in North Port, Michigan.
The White House files have no record of his
previous correspondence; I called Mr. Boyd
and acknowledged his letter in person. I
said he would get a further response and
would appreciate it if yourwould take it
from here.
Sincerely yours,
Brad H. Patterson
Commissioner Morris Thompson
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Department of the Interior
6th Floor
Washington, D.C.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
EX BHP : cac
October 8, 1976
Dear Mr. Paffrath:
Thank you for sending me the copies of the
reppot from the Wingspread Conference on
Opportunities for Wilderness Preservation.
Being a backpacker and mountaineet I es-
pecially appreciated having them.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Leslie Paffrath
President
The Johnson Foundation
Racine, Wisconsin 53401
FORD & LIBRARY 07V839
BHP:cac
Dear Mr. Hoxie:
Thank you for your invitation to attend
the Seventh Annual National Leadership
Symposium in Moline.
It is a pleasure to accept, and I enclose
a biography and photograph.
I will certainly be with you for Sunday
morning and will let you know whether I'll
be able to arrive as early as Friday evening.
Perhaps when you have it firmed up, you
could send me an agenda for the three days.
Cordially,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. R. Gordon Hoxie
Center for the Study of the Presidency
926 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10021
BHP;msp
Enc: bio and photo
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 14, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR JAMES M. CANNON
I recommend that the
President sign Enrolled Bill S 1659.
Brad Patt
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD & LIBRARY 63RALD
October 15, 1976
Dear Congressman McCloskey:
I am writing in further response to your letter to the
President of October 6.
It is heartening to hear from you that so many citizens are
inquiring about Federal policies and programs for American
Indians, it is discouraging to realize that there is so
little information out about what really has been happening
during the past seven years. Actually, there has been a
surge of budgetary, legislative, executive and judicial
accomplishments beginning with the Special Message of
July 8, 1970. Some of them are reflected in the attached
fact sheet, a first-person piece done recently for
publication in the newsletter of the Association for
American Indian Affairs. For a little more detail (although
3 years out of date) you might refer to my article in the
Fall issue of the Civil Rights Commissiones Civil Rights
Digest. President Ford's contributions of course have
featured his signing of the Indian Self-Determination Act
of January, 1975, his meeting with Indian leaders on
July 16, 1976, his signing of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act just two weeks ago, and his Proclamation
of Native American Awareness Week and the accompanying
statement of last week. I enclose copies of these materials.
Please feel free to telephone me at 456-2813 if I can bapply
any further information.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
GERALD FORD LIBRART
The Honorable Paul N. McCloskey
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
October 26, 1976
Dear Senator Domenici:
I wanted to send you a note in further response
to your letter to the President of September 30
concerning the problems of non-Indian employees
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
We considered your letter so cogent and so to
the point that it has been included as part of
the White House follow-up instructions to the
responsible Cabinet Officers in implementing
the pledge the President made in his veto
message.
I enclose a copy of that instruction and I
hope you will bring it to the attention of
your constituents.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
The Honorable Pete V. Domenici
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20515
FORD & LIBRARY 97VU39
October 26, 1976
Dear Senator Domenici:
I wanted to send you a note in further response
to your letter to the President of September 30
concerning the problems of non-Indian employees
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
We considered your letter so cogent and so to
the point that it has been included as part of
the White House follow-up instructions to the
responsible Cabinet Officers in implementing
the pledge the President made in his veto
message.
I enclose a copy of that instruction and I
hope you will bring it to the attention of
your constituents.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
The Honorable Pete V. Domenici
United States Senate
BERALD BE R. FORD LIBRARY
Washington, D. C. 20515
October 19, 1976
Dear Mr. Rogers:
The President has asked me to thank you for your
recent note about the BIA's higher education
program.
Since this is a matter within the jurisdiction of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, I am asking
Commissioner Thompson to review your letter
personally and to send you a response.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. Michael R. Rogers
Native American Political Association
Route 1, Box 2142
Davis, California 95616
CC: Commissioner Morris Thompson
GERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
October 19, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE CHAIRMAN, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION
AND WELFARE
FROM:
BRADLEY H. PATTERSON, JR.
With reference to my memorandum of October 12, I would
appreciate it if you would bring this letter to the
attention of the officers on your staffs who have
action responsibility for the matter.
I have acknowledged the letter by telephone.
CC: The Director, OMB
FORD is LIBRARY 938870
October 27, 1976
Dear Bill:
Thank you for your letter of October 18 conveying
to us Resolution 10/76-1 of the National Tribal
Chairman's Association concerning LaFollette
Butler.
I am bringing this promptly to the attention of
Secretary Kleppe who will make the appointment
and also to the Honorable Doug Bennett here at
the White House who is the Director of the
Presidential Personnel Office.
Sincerely,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Mr. William Youpee
Executive Director
National Tribal Chairmen's
Association
Suite 207
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Washington, D.C. 20006
CC: Secretary Keeppe,
CC: Doug Bennett
October 28, 1976
Dear Mr. Red Bird and Mr. Webber:
The President has asked me to thank you for your letter
of October 16.
Recognition of Indianatribes not yet Federally recognized
is a matter how under close review by the Solicitor of
the Department of the Interior. A legal Opinion is
being prepared which will help establish criteria and
standards for recognition action by the Secretary of
the Interior.
I am sending your letter promptly to Solicitor Austin
so that he will be aware of the wishes of the
Independent Cherokee Nation, and you will hear further
from the Department when the Opinion is completed (it
is almost done now).
Sincerely yours,
Bradley H.PPatterson, Jr.
Chief Red Bird
Chief Thunderbird Webber
United Independent Cherokee Nation
National Tribal Office
418 Plint Avenue
FORDO i LIBRARY 076839
Albany, Georgia 31701
cy of file to Gred Austin
Solicitor, DOI
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Mr. Lara ,
Thank you for your telegram
to the President.
I believe that Mr. Mastrapasqua's
candid letter to LaDonna Harris is a very
responsive reply to your own concern, and
enclose a copy of it.
We appreciate hearing from you
and always value your views.
Barby Sincerely Pattlon yours
Bradley E. Pattersm, Jr.
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Thank you for your letter to
the President.
As you asked, I have checked
into the matter you raised, and believe that
Mr. Mastrapasqua's candid reply to Mrs. Harris
will answer your questions. I enclose a
copy of it.
We will continue to value your
views.
Butty Bradley Sincerely Retter yours,
Patterson,
Jr.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Mr. Spencer,
Thank you for your letter to
the President.
I believe that Mr. Mastrapasqua's
candid letter to Mrs. Harris is as responsive
reply to your own inquiry, and I enclose a
copy of it.
We continue to value your
views and want you to keep in touch with us.
Ranely Sincerely yours,
Rettirs
Sradley
Patterson,
Jr.
FORD LINDARY & GERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Ms. Moses,
Thank you for your letter
of the 11th to the President.
I checked a bit, and find that
Mr. Mastrapasqua's letter to Mrs. Harris
is, I believe, a full and responsive reply
to your question. I enclose a copy of it.
Se continue to value your views.
Sincerel yours, Patton
Bradley
H.
Patterson,
Jr.
R.FORD & LIBRARY GERVID
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Chairman Barley,
The President has asked me to
thank you for your letter of the 13th.
I have checked into this, and
find that Mr. Mastrapasqua's candid letter
to Mrs. Harris is, I believe, a responsive
reply to your own inquiry. I enclose a copy.
We always value the views of
Indian officials like yourself; please keep
in touch.
Bedy Sincerely yours
Bradley H. Patterson : , Jr.
FORD is LIBRARY 03RALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear President Paddock,
The President has asked me to thank
you for your letter to him of October 15.
I have checked into the matter you
raised, and find that Mr. Mastrapasqua's
recent candid letter to Mrs. Harris is, I
believe, a responsive reply to your own
inquiry. I enclose a copy.
We continue to value the views of
Indian leaders like yourself; please keep
in touch.
Barry Sincerely yours, Pitter
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD i LIBRARY 03RALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Mr. Bigbow,
The President has asked me to thank
you for your telegram of yesterday and for
giving us your advice and evaluation of Indian
matters.
Last August 26, the President asked me
to help him with the coordination of American
Indian policies and programs (copy of his memo
to the Cabinet is attached) and I have been active
in talking and working directly with Indian leaders.
Last week, all week, I was at the NCAI
National Convention in Salt Lake City and had the
opportunity of extensive talks and sessions with
Indian leaders from all over the cou try, many of
whom I have known for several years. I also met
with the Executive Board of NTCA which, as you know,
represente the elected tribal leaders themselves.
It was good to hear from you and I hope you
will cm tinue to feel free to make suggestions to us
QURALO FORD LIBRARY
of your own ideas and recommendations.
Sand Sincerely Fallers Adrs,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1976
Dear Mr. Garcia,
The President has asked me to
thank you for your letter of the 8th about
ONAP.
I checked into this and find that
Mr. Mastrapasqua's letter to LaDonna Harris
is, I believe, a candid and responsibe reply
to your inquiry as well. I enclose a cop_y
of it.
We are glad to have your views
and hope to hear from you again.
Bradley Sincerely H. Patterson, yours, Dr.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD