At this point in history, tribal nations were facing more obstacles besides the United States. Disease, poor living conditions, and poverty swept through Indian country. Lewis Meriam claimed that many Native Americans struggled financially because “the Indians were ignorant of money and its use…” and spent their lump sums of cash from selling allotments on temporary goods instead of investing for future use. Native Americans struggled to survive off of the small incomes from leases, per capita payments, and/or rations once their allotment money ran out. As a result, some Americans such as the residents of Wisconsin complained that they were “obliged to saddle a burden which rightfully belongs to the Government.” At this time, many people
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This idea highlighted the failures of society, not the individuals, and helped some Americans to realize that Native Americans were not solely responsible their poor living conditions. Many of these problems in Indian country resulted from the United States’ failure to provide adequate health services, rations, and annuities. Overall, Native Americans were tired of the government breaking its promises and were ready for a new agreement, which came in the form of the Indian Reorganization Act.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt 's commissioner of Indian Affairs, John Collier promised an “Indian New Deal,” in which he supported cultural pluralism. This new way of dealing with Native Americans brought about the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, which was supposed help Native Americans keep and improve their …show more content…
The Indian New Deal brought in an era of economic development as it created a branch of the Civilian Conservation Corp specifically for Native Americans (the Indian Division/Indian Emergency Conservation Work) and the Works Progress Administration. These helped to employ thousands of Native Americans and reduce poverty in tribal nations. Such programs were so effective in reducing unemployment and improving the land that a magazine called Indians at Work and a video called Rebuilding Indian Country showcased the successes. Many of those helped by the Indian New Deal trusted Collier to help their peoples and supported his proposals like the IRA. Ben Reifel explained that the IRA promised free religion, more schools, an Indian government lead by actual Native Americans, and a better judicial system, although this was later removed from the IRA. And, with these promises, the IRA seemed like a good act that would help Native Americans regain their culture and self-identity. So, from this perspective, supporting the IRA was also an act of
This idea highlighted the failures of society, not the individuals, and helped some Americans to realize that Native Americans were not solely responsible their poor living conditions. Many of these problems in Indian country resulted from the United States’ failure to provide adequate health services, rations, and annuities. Overall, Native Americans were tired of the government breaking its promises and were ready for a new agreement, which came in the form of the Indian Reorganization Act.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt 's commissioner of Indian Affairs, John Collier promised an “Indian New Deal,” in which he supported cultural pluralism. This new way of dealing with Native Americans brought about the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, which was supposed help Native Americans keep and improve their …show more content…
The Indian New Deal brought in an era of economic development as it created a branch of the Civilian Conservation Corp specifically for Native Americans (the Indian Division/Indian Emergency Conservation Work) and the Works Progress Administration. These helped to employ thousands of Native Americans and reduce poverty in tribal nations. Such programs were so effective in reducing unemployment and improving the land that a magazine called Indians at Work and a video called Rebuilding Indian Country showcased the successes. Many of those helped by the Indian New Deal trusted Collier to help their peoples and supported his proposals like the IRA. Ben Reifel explained that the IRA promised free religion, more schools, an Indian government lead by actual Native Americans, and a better judicial system, although this was later removed from the IRA. And, with these promises, the IRA seemed like a good act that would help Native Americans regain their culture and self-identity. So, from this perspective, supporting the IRA was also an act of