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Records Relating to the Indian Reorganization Act (Wheeler–Howard Act)

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Historical Overview

Records Overview

Congress passed the Wheeler–Howard Act, better known as the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), on June 18, 1934. This legislation marked a major shift in federal Indian policy.

The National Archives houses multiple series of records related to the IRA, its acceptance or rejection by American Indian tribes, and the programs it established.

Historical Overview

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Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

View in National Archives Catalog

The IRA led to major changes related to tribal land ownership and self-government. The IRA ended allotment of tribal lands, which had broken apart reservations and led to serious economic and cultural impacts on tribal communities, and established a process by which lands could be restored to tribal ownership.

The act also recognized tribal governments and offered incentives for tribes to adopt U.S. government-style constitutions and governing councils. In addition to these major policy shifts, the IRA set aside funds for Indian education and established Indian hiring preference in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

For its supporters, the IRA was a major victory in preserving and strengthening tribal sovereignty, which had been undermined by decades of forced assimilation into American society.

For its critics, however, the IRA ignored differences in American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and their traditional methods of organization and leadership.

Records Overview

Records related to the IRA are found in different record groups and series. Select series, and in some instances file units, are listed below. The list is arranged by the National Archives research facility where the records are housed. For a full list of National Archives research facilities, see Visit Us.

Click the National Archives Identifiers for the full archival records descriptions in the National Archives Catalog. For questions related to the records, please contact the custodial unit indicated.

National Archives in Washington, DC (Archives 1 Reference Branch)

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Petition for Charter, Tulalip Reservation, January 14, 1936

View in National Archives Catalog

For questions related to these records, please email archives1reference@nara.gov.

Record Group 11: General Records of the U.S. Government

  • Copy of the Indian Reorganization Act (National Archives Identifier 7873515)

Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management

  • “Records Relating to the Administration of Indian Reserves Under the Wheeler–Howard Act of June 18, 1934” (National Archives Identifier 6004064)

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • “Records Concerning the Wheeler–Howard Act, 1933–1937” (National Archives Identifier 2107120)
  • “General Records Concerning Indian Organization, 1934–1956” (National Archives Identifier 2107128)
  • “Correspondence with Officials, 1934–1946” (National Archives Identifier 2107141)
  • “Questionnaires Concerning Tribal Organization in Alaska, 1934–1935” (National Archives Identifier 2107152)
  • “Superintendents’ Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports, 1910–1935” (National Archives Identifier 2049908)
  • “Correspondence and Memoranda Related to Administrative Decentralization, 3/1936–5/1937” (National Archives Identifier 2124149)
  • “Records Concerning Restoration of Opened Lands and Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Purchases, 1937–1940” (National Archives Identifier 1169138)
  • “Records Relating to Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Land Acquisition Projects, 1933–1946” (National Archives Identifier 1174328)
  • “Records Relating to Land Tenure and Acquisition, 1917–1947” (National Archives Identifier 1174180)
  • “Applications and Other Records Relating to Registrations Under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, 1935–1942” (National Archives Identifier 2124510)
  • “Records Concerning Pending Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) Purchases and Tribe Purchases, Project Cards, and Land Use Records, 1939–1942” (National Archives Identifier 1169144)
  • “Master Charts of Land Acquisition Acreage, 1939–1946” (National Archives Identifier 1169124)
  • “Central Classified Files, 1907–1939” (National Archives Identifier 300324)
  • “Circulars, Orders, and Other Issuances, 1876–1962” (National Archives Identifier 1117176)
  • “Division of Instructional Services Subject Files, 1910–1969” (National Archives Identifier 1328704) 

Center for Legislative Archives, Washington, DC

For questions related to these records, please email legislative.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. Senate

  • “Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs Subject Files, 1928–1953” (National Archives Identifier 306493)
  • “Committee Papers, 1931–1953” (National Archives Identifier 561296)

National Archives at College Park (Archives 2 Textual Reference Branch)

For questions related to these records, please email archives2reference@nara.gov.

Record Group 114: Records of the Natural Resources Conservation Service

  • “Records Concerning the Hopi and Papago Tribes, 1937–1940” (National Archives Identifier 6124356)

National Archives at College Park (Cartographic Branch)

For questions related to these records, please email carto@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • “Maps Relating to the Administration of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, 1936–1947” (National Archives Identifier 562976)

National Archives at Chicago

For questions related to these records, please email chicago.archives@nara.gov.

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Keshena Agency
    • “Financial Records Relating to the Stockbridge–Munsee Indians, 1914–1936” (National Archives Identifier 3257611)
  • Lac du Flambeau Agency
    • “Rehabilitation and Land Acquisition Project Records, 1932–1935” (National Archives Identifier 159728164)
  • Tomah Indian School and Agency
    • “Tribal Constitution Ballots Oneida Tribe, 1936” (National Archives Identifier 77428677)
    • “Records Relating to Rehabilitation and Land Acquisition Programs, 1934–1935” (National Archives Identifier 5501516)
    • “Decimal Files for the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Indian Division, 1936–1942” (National Archives Identifier 5543361)

National Archives at Denver

For questions related to these records, please email denver.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Albuquerque Area Office
    • “Records of Tribal Operations, 1966” (National Archives Identifier 2660849)
  • Blackfeet Agency
    • “Decimal Correspondence, 1909–1957” (National Archives Identifier 1677167)
      • File unit: “021 Indian Reorganization Act March 29, 1934 to November 13, 1936” (National Archives Identifier 7328607)
  • Crow Indian Agency
    • “Correspondence Files, 1910–1958” (National Archives Identifier 1135936)
      • File unit: “171 Wheeler–Howard Act Explanations, Circulars, etc.” (National Archives Identifier 6984507)
      • File unit: “171 Wheeler–Howard Act Lists of Voters” (National Archives Identifier 6984508)
      • File unit: “171 Wheeler–Howard Act Correspondence” (National Archives Identifier 6984509)
  • Fort Belknap Agency
    • “Correspondence Files, 1917–1958” (National Archives Identifier 1126876)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1933–1934” (National Archives Identifier 139073723)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935” (National Archives Identifier 139073724)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935” (National Archives Identifier 139073725)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1935” (National Archives Identifier 139073726)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Vote Acceptance 1935” (National Archives Identifier 139073727)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act 1936 Ballots” (National Archives Identifier 139073729)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act 1936 Ballots” (National Archives Identifier 139073730)
      • File unit: “308.3 Indian Reorganization Act Correspondence 1937” (National Archives Identifier 139073731)
  • Fort Peck Indian Agency
    • “Disbursements and Ballots on the Indian Reorganizational Act, 1878–1924” (National Archives Identifier 7385843)
    • “Records Concerning General Tribal Matters, 1915–1963” (National Archives Identifier 2580630)
  • Shoshone Agency
    • “Correspondence of the Agricultural Extension Agent, 1932–1937” (National Archives Identifier 1551582)
  • Southern Pueblos Agency
    • “General Correspondence, 1911–1935” (National Archives Identifier 566512)
      • File unit: “020 Legislation, Explanation of Wheeler–Howard Act, 1920” (National Archives Identifier 7861942)
  • United Pueblos Agency
    • “General Correspondence, 1911–1935” (National Archives Identifier 566503)
      • File unit: “[Part 2] 021 General and Statistical, Legislation, Wheeler–Howard Bill (Indian Reorganization Act), 1934” (National Archives Identifier 7864923)
      • File unit: “[Part 2] 022 General and Statistical, Proposed Legislation, Wheeler–Howard Act, 1934” (National Archives Identifier 7864924)
  • Wind River Agency
    • “General Administrative Records, 1890–1960” (National Archives Identifier 571199)
      • File unit: “120-A Indian Organization and Reorganization Act” (National Archives Identifier 114637322)

National Archives at Fort Worth

For questions related to these records, please email ftworth.archives@nara.gov.

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Five Civilized Tribes Agency
    • “Office Files of the Cashier Relating to Financial and Trust Fund Management, 1910–1944” (National Archives Identifier 749229)
    • “Superintendents’ Office Files, 1920–1939” (National Archives Identifier 656344)
  • Miami Agency
    • “Land Transaction Files, 1938–1959” (National Archives Identifier 784164)

National Archives at Kansas City

For questions related to these records, please email kansascity.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Cheyenne River Agency
    • “Records Relating to the Election on the Wheeler–Howard Act, 1934–1935” (National Archives Identifier 102712862)
  • Consolidated Chippewa Agency
    • “Testimony Taken at a Conference on the Wheeler–Howard Bill, 4/23/1934–4/24/1934” (National Archives Identifier 5686563)
    • “Records of the Referendum on the Wheeler–Howard Act, ca. 1934” (National Archives Identifier 5700957)
    • “Ballots of the Charter Referendum and Related Lists, 11/13/1937” (National Archives Identifier 5700961)
    • “Correspondence Related to Land Transactions on the White Earth Reservation, 1922–1943” (National Archives Identifier 5712061)
    • “Correspondence of W. F. Myers, 1939–1942” (National Archives Identifier 5687219)
    • “Government Publications, 1931–1952” (National Archives Identifier 5686545)
  • Fort Berthold Agency
    • “Decimal Correspondence Files, 1907–1969” (National Archives Identifier 6919375)
  • Haskell Institute
    • “Correspondence of the Superintendents, 1890–1942” (National Archives Identifier 2143367)
  • Minneapolis Area Office
    • “Records Relating to Tribal Government, 1949–1953” (National Archives Identifier 60454709)
    • “Records Relating to Agencies, Offices, and Tribes in Other Jurisdictions, 1949–1952” (National Archives Identifier 60453149)
    • “Decimal Correspondence Files, 1949–1980” (National Archives Identifier 60450445)
  • Pine Ridge Agency
    • “Survey of Needy Indians, 1935” (National Archives Identifier 1151270)
    • “Land Purchase Reports, 10/1938” (National Archives Identifier 1151012)
    • “Reports on Hearings Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 2/10/1940–2/23/1940” (National Archives Identifier 285584)
  • Rosebud Agency
    • “Records of the Referendum on the Wheeler–Howard Act, 1934” (National Archives Identifier 6277605)
  • Winnebago Agency
    • “Records Related to Tribal Government, 1936–1989” (National Archives Identifier 6058373)
  • Yankton Sub-Agency
    • “Alphabetical Subject Correspondence, 1921–1956” (National Archives Identifier 7389012)
    • “Yankton Sioux Tribal Records, 1953–1965” (National Archives Identifier 7389010)

National Archives at New York City

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Letter from New York Indian Agency Superintendent Charles H. Berry addressing the reason why New York tribes rejected the Indian Reorganization Act

View in National Archives Catalog

For questions related to these records, please email newyork.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • New York Agency
    • “Administrative Files, 1911–1967” (National Archives Identifier 4662241)
      • File unit: “070 Indian Customs (National Archives Identifier 7553826).” Includes correspondence about the rejection of the IRA by tribes in New York.

National Archives at Riverside

For questions related to these records, please email riverside.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Fort Yuma Sub-Agency
    • “Records of Tribal Elections, 1934–1936” (National Archives Identifier 603606)
  • Mission Agency
    • “Records Pertaining to the Indian Reorganization Act and Tribal Elections, 1934–1947” (National Archives Identifier 561759)
    • “Tribal Organizational Survey, 1934” (National Archives Identifier 561764)
    • “Central Classified Files, 1920–1953” (National Archives Identifier 561409)
      • File unit: “360.1 Land Offerings: Under W–H Bill, Wheeler–Howard, CA1934” (National Archives Identifier 1948106)
  • Sells Agency
    • “Records Related to the Indian Reorganization Act, 1934–1939” (National Archives Identifier 55312636)

National Archives at San Francisco

For questions related to these records, please email sanbruno.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Sacramento Agency
    • “Indian Reorganization Act Referendum and Election Records, 1934–1935” (National Archives Identifier 6039100)
    • “Correspondence of Superintendent Roy Nash, 1923–1943” (National Archives Identifier 6038000)
    • “Records of Indian Organizations, 1936–1946” (National Archives Identifier 6039101)

National Archives at Seattle

For questions related to these records, please email seattle.archives@nara.gov. 

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • Grand Ronde–Siletz Agency
    • “Loan Records, 1929–1948” (National Archives Identifier 6039383)
  • Klamath Agency
    • “Klamath Tribal Election Records, 1929–1958” (National Archives Identifier 4667591)
  • Portland Area Office
    • “Desk Files of the Tribal Operations Branch, 1934–1951” (National Archives Identifier 298636)
    • “Desk Files, 1934–1951” (National Archives Identifier 1275837)
    • “Jurisdiction Files of the Realty Branch and Predecessors, 1935–1961” (National Archives Identifier 1271535)
  • Salt Lake City Extension and Credit Office
    • “Classified Files of the Extension and Credit Office, 1931–1946” (National Archives Identifier 298560)
  • Tulalip Agency
    • “Indian Services Subject Files, 1890–1950” (National Archives Identifier 178354943)
  • Warm Springs Agency
    • “Tribal Council Records, 1934–1951” (National Archives Identifier 1275836)
    • “Subject Files Relating to the Burns Sub-Agency, 1908–1947” (National Archives Identifier 1275692)
      • File unit: “Government [Indian Reorganization Act]” (National Archives Identifier 3075026)
  • Yakima Agency
    • “Election Records, 1935” (National Archives Identifier 5726509)
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