Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Agency responsible for planning and executing federal policies concerning Native Americans.
Congress established the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in
1824 as part of the War Department. In 1849 it became part
of the newly formed Department of Interior. In the nineteenth century, the BIA negotiated treaties with various Indian
tribes, supervised Indian agents and other employees, formulated federal Indian policies, conducted on- and off-reservation Indian schools, monitored annuity payments, and
protected Indian interests with federal and state authorities.
Until 1933 the Bureau of Indian Affairs focused on programs
of cultural assimilation intended to eventually break down the
barriers between Native Americans and their Euro-American
counterparts. After the passage of the Indian Reorganization
Act in 1934, the BIA focused on preserving and cultivating
Native American culture and identity. Today it remains committed to providing technical assistance to more than 500 federally recognized Indian tribes without compromising the
government-to-government relationship that exists between
tribal authorities and the federal government.
The BIA is headed by an assistant secretary of the interior
who holds the title Commissioner of Indian Affairs and
supervises 84 agency offices on Indian reservations and more
than 14,000 employees.

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