Paternalism to Partnership
The Administration of Indian Affairs, 1786–2021
Format:Hardback
Publisher:University of Nebraska Press
Published:1st Oct '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
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.
"David DeJong's Paternalism to Partnership is a nifty cover-to-cover read, above and beyond its usefulness as a reference work. . . . [It] offers a terrific single-volume introduction to the main lines of U.S. Indian policy and the importance of public administration and public administrators throughout U.S. history."—Stephen J. Rockwell, Western Historical Quarterly
"Paternalism to Partnership: The Administration of Indian Affairs, 1786–2021 is a straightforward and concisely written book that provides an important overview of those who have led U.S. administration of Indian Affairs. It is recommended as a possible companion to survey courses focused on federal Indian law and history to provide important contextual information for students. The chapters also contain information that scholars can expand upon in works with information that DeJong has helpfully provided in this text. In providing an almost encyclopedic administrative history of Indian Affairs leadership, DeJong offers an important source to scholars and students alike."—Brittani R. Orona, Journal of Arizona History
"This work is an excellent reference volume and will be useful for scholars and students of history who wish to gain a better understanding of the individuals involved in the crafting of federal Indian policies over time."—Michelle M. Martin, Chronicles of Oklahoma
“Invaluable to those researching Indian policy and its development. . . . This overview of how Indian policy developed highlights certain themes that transcend time and gives a fascinating peek into the people charged with making Indian policy.”—Carol L. Higham, author of Noble, Wretched, and Redeemable: Protestant Missionaries to the Indians in Canada and the United States, 1820–1900
“Paternalism to Partnership is of high value as a library holding and will be of significance to specialists or students in the field of Indian affairs.”—Robert M. Utley, author of The Last Sovereigns: Sitting Bull and the Resistance of the Free Lakotas
ISBN: 9781496230584
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
510 pages