Disappointment in New Commissioner of Indian Affairs: A Call for Change, 1953-07-18

Item — Box: 12, Folder: 35b

Identifier: CAC_CC_004_2_12_35b_0002

Staff Only

The text is a letter and newspaper clipping discussing disappointment with the appointment of a new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Glenn L. Emmons, instead of Harry J.W. Belvin, who was endorsed by Oklahoma Indians. The letter expresses concerns about the new Commissioner's lack of understanding of Indian problems and requests that Belvin be appointed as an assistant to the new Commissioner. Kiowa Indian leaders in Hobart also expressed disappointment and sent a telegram of protest to President Eisenhower. The appointment of Emmons is seen as a broken promise to Oklahoma Indians and a decision made to please non-Indian political interests in the west.