Indian Reorganization Act

The Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934, or the Wheeler-Howard Act, was U.S. federal legislation that dealt with the status of Native Americans (known in law as American Indians or Indians). It was the centerpiece of what has been often called the ""Indian New Deal."" The major goal was to reverse the traditional goal of assimilation of Indians into American society, and to strengthen, encourage and perpetuate the tribes and their historic traditions and culture. The Act also restored to Indians the management of their assets—land and mineral rights—and included provisions intended to create a sound economic foundation for the inhabitants of Indian reservations. The law did not apply to Hawaii; Alaska and Oklahoma were added in 1936. The census counted 332,000 Indians in 1930 and 334,000 in 1940, including those on and off reservations in the 48 states. Total spending on Indians averaged $38 million a year in the late 1920s, dropping to a low of $23 million in 1933, and returning to $38 million in 1940. The IRA was the most significant initiative of John Collier, Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) from 1933 to 1945. He had crusaded on Indian issues in the 1920s particularly with the American Indian Defense Association. He intended to reverse assimilationist policies and provide ways for American Indians to re-establish sovereignty and self-government, to reduce the losses of reservation lands, and establish ways for Indians to build economic self-sufficiency. He saw Indian traditional culture as superior to that of modern America, and thought it worthy of emulation. The proposals were highly controversial at the time, and ever since. Congress revised Collier's proposals and preserved oversight by the BIA .The self-government provisions would automatically go into effect for a tribe unless a clear majority of the eligible Indians voted it down. When approved, a tribe would adopt a variation of the model constitution drafted by BIA lawyers. Of the tribes that voted on the IRA, 174 voted yes and 78 rejected it.