Urban Indian Services: Challenges and Opportunities, 1967-02-05

Item — Box: 168, Folder: 21a

Identifier: CAC_CC_004_11_168_21A_0011

Staff Only

Mr. Clyde W. Brown, Jr., a volunteer worker at Indian Neighborhood Centers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, wrote to Congressman Page Belcher seeking information about Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) services for urban American Indians. Belcher received a response from the BIA stating that BIA services are generally provided to Indians residing on or near reservations, and that the Employment Assistance Program is available for vocational training, employment, and relocation services for reservation Indians. The BIA does not provide the same services to urban Indians. Belcher forwarded the response to Brown, expressing regret that the letter was not more encouraging and offering further assistance if needed. Brown had initially written to Belcher seeking information on the policy restricting urban Indians from accessing BIA services.