Paternalism to Partnership examines the administration of Indian affairs from 1786, when the first federal administrator was appointed, through 2021. David H. DeJong examines each administrator through a biographical sketch and excerpts of policy statements defining the administrator’s political philosophy, drawn from official reports or the administrator’s own writings.
The Indian Office, as an executive agency under the secretary of war (1789 to 1849) and secretary of the interior (1849 to present), was directed by the president of the United States. The superintendents, chief clerks, commissioners, and assistant secretaries for Indian affairs administered policy as prescribed by Congress and the president. Each was also given a level of discretion in administering this policy. For most of the federal-Indian relationship, administrators were limited in influencing policy. This paternalism continued well into the twentieth century. Beginning in the 1960s Congress and the president ameliorated their views on the federal-Indian relationship and moved away from paternalism. Since 1966 every administrator of the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been Native American, and each has exercised increasing authority in shaping policy. This has given rise to a federal-Indian partnership that has witnessed tribal nations again exercising their inherent rights of self-government.
In this documentary history David H. DeJong follows the progression of federal Indian policy over more than two hundred years, providing firsthand accounts of how the federal-Indian relationship has changed over the centuries.
List of Tables
Preface
The Administration of Indian Affairs
1. John Harris, Superintendent of the Indian Trading Houses
2. William Irvine, Superintendent of the Indian Trading Houses
3. George W. Ingels, Superintendent of the Indian Trading Houses
4. William Davy, Superintendent of the Indian Trading Houses
5. John Shee, Superintendent of Indian Trade
6. John M. Mason, Superintendent of Indian Trade
7. Thomas McKenney, Superintendent of Indian Trade/Chief Clerk
8. William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs
9. Samuel S. Hamilton, Chief Clerk
10. Elbert Herring, Chief Clerk, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
11. Cary Allen Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
12. Thomas Hartley Crawford, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
13. William Medill, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
14. Orlando Brown, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
15. Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
16. George W. Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
17. James W. Denver, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
18. Charles E. Mix, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
19. Alfred B. Greenwood, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
20. William P. Dole, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
21. Dennis N. Cooley, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
22. Lewis V. Bogy, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
23. Nathaniel G. Taylor, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
24. Ely S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
25. Francis A. Walker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
26. Edward P. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
27. John Quincy Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
28. Ezra Hayt, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
29. Roland E. Trowbridge, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
30. Hiram Price, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
31. John Dewitt Clinton Atkins, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
32. John H. Oberly, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
33. Thomas Jefferson Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
34. Daniel M. Browning, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
35. William A. Jones, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
36. Francis E. Leupp, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
37. Robert G. Valentine, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
38. Cato Sells, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
39. Charles Henry Burke, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
40. Charles James Rhoads, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
41. John Collier, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
42. William A. Brophy, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
43. John R. Nichols, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
44. Dillion S. Myer, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
45. Glenn L. Emmons, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
46. Philleo Nash, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
47. Robert F. Bennett, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
48. Louis Rook Bruce, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
49. Marvin L. Franklin, Assistant to the Secretary
50. Morris Thompson, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
51. Ben Reifel, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
52. Forrest J. Gerard, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
53. William E. Hallett, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
54. Thomas W. Fredericks, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
55. Kenneth L. Smith, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
56. Ross O. Swimmer, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
57. Eddie F. Brown, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
58. Ada E. Deer, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
59. Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
60. Neil A. McCaleb, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
61. David W. Anderson, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
62. Carl J. Artman , Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
63. Larry J. Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
64. Kevin K. Washburn, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
65. Tara MacLean Sweeney, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
