Letter from Frank Tom-Pee-Saw to President Harry S. Truman

TO COOPERATE WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE WELFARE OF INDIANS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND THE AMERICAS 6-C 76-21-49 League Nations Pan American Indians maily National Legal & Legislation Council Assoctate Legal Counsel in several Large States and Provinces CHAIRMAN, THOMAS HAWK (GROS VENTRE) BOX 66, EAGLE CITY, OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE ORGANIZER, JAMES KADOT (POTTOWOTIMI) KONAWA, OKLAHOMA CANADIAN CHIEF COUNSEL, J. LUDGER BERNARD B. A. (white)dalhouise, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA SECRETARY, FRANK TOM-PEE-SAW (CHEROKEE, 110 1-2 NORTH CENTRAL STREET, PARSONS, kansas June -16-1949 Hon. Harry S. Truman, President of the United States The White House Washington D.C. Dear Sir: The first public test of major importance relating to the executive ability of Dr. George C.Nichols recently appointed to the position of Indian Commissioner occurred at the Fort Hall - Indian Agency - Fort Hall Idaho on June 5th, 1949. The Sho-Shone and Bannock Tribes of Indians living on said Reservation, had previously petitioned the new Commissioner for a public hearing in relation to an inv- estigation of Tribal TrustFunds held by the Indian Depa- rtment, and other funds collected monthly as Royalties from mining operations located on Fort Hall Indian lands. .7296 Mr Nichols ability to administer as an executive over Indian affairs proved a complete failure, at his first public meeting with Indians, although the Indians presented the New Commissioner with a petition, constituting more than -50- per cent of the legal voters living on said Reservation to validate their contention for a public hearing, which is authorized in the Constitution of the United States in rel- ation to grievances, and is also authorized under provisi- ons of the act of June 18th, 1934 and known as-The Indian Reorganization Act. The Sho-Shone and Bannock Tribes of Indians of Fort Hall Idaho, approved said act, which requires only -30- per cent of Legal Indian Voters on any given Indian Reser- vation, to approve Tribal action on any given issue, affect- LEAGUE OF NATIONS. OF ing Indian Tribal Wellfare. HEALTH & TRUMAN + CENTRAL ARCHIVES A + + COMMITTEE RECORDS SERVICE NORTH AMERICAN SEAL INDIANS