Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, project reports, and state plan drafts concerning the education of New York State Indian children as mandated by the Johnson-O'Malley Act of 1934. Also present are correspondences showing the interaction between state and federal governments regarding the formulation of education policy.

A large portion of this series is a document (in several iterations) called, "Proposed amendment to NYS plan for education of Indian children under provisions of the Johnson-O'Malley Act of 1934." There are multiple draft copies (at least 5 versions between March and June of 1973) with hand-written marginalia (Box 3, Folder 5) and a final version in Box 4, Folder 4 which needed approval from Native American community leadership (Box 4, Folders 2 & 3) before submission to the BIA. There is also a chronological summary of NYSED efforts to obtain J.O.M. funding from June 22, 1973 - February 21, 1975 (Box 1, Folder 1).

Also prominent in this series are materials related to proposals, program budget requests and documentation of distribution of federal aid ($30,000 each) to four Native American groups "who showed an interest" (Mohawk, Oneida, Seneca, Tonawanda) during the 1974-1975 fiscal year. Additionally, there is a letter from the BIA disqualifying the Shinnecock and Poospatuck from consideration for funding (Box 3, Folder 1).

The proposal from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council (Box 1, Folder 7) includes the name, grade and school of all school-age children from the reservation, job descriptions and proposed facilities. The proposals from the other three groups contain similar detail. An Oneida Indian Nation Education Committee submission includes a "Background" section on the history of the Oneida Indians (Box 4, Folder 3). Several letters from school districts seeking confirmation from NYSED that they are authorized to deal directly with the BIA are also present.

The folder entitled, "John Bardin's Papers" (Box 2, Folder 7), includes a March 14, 1973 draft of the NYS Plan; a count of "Persons by Race, New York State Counties, 1970"; and information about J.O.M. requirements in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Other states' plans are also contained in Box 3, Folder 4, which includes materials from Minnesota (1969), Oklahoma (1972-73 draft) and New Mexico (1973).

There is also correspondence related to a political power struggle within the Oneida Tribal Council (Box 1, Folder 8) including a notice that Jacob Thompson was removed from office as President; and the minutes of a September 10, 1975 meeting declaring Thompson's removal illegal and dismissing the participants in his removal from the council.

Nothing directly mentioning or related to the "Trail of Broken Treaties Protest" by the American Indian Movement (AIM) or its occupation of the BIA headquarters building from November 3 - 10, 1972 is contained in this series. Several references are made to the "incident" at the BIA building in Washington, D.C. in 1972, but only to the extent that it delayed action on New York State grant and program applications or submissions.

The terms Indian, Native American, and Native American Indian are all used in this series. During the time period covered by this series and within some of the records themselves, discussions of proper descriptive and respectful terminology can be found. In titles of reports and folders, the usage of the documents' creators has been maintained for each individual instance.