AMERICAN IMAGE

Allotment Map of Township 6 South of Range 22 East of the Indian Meridian in Indian Territory. U.S. Department of the Interior. Office of Indian Affairs.

“An act of Congress of March 3, 1893, authorized the establishment of a commission to negotiate agreements with each of the Five Civilized Tribes that would abolish the tribal governments and permit the allotment of land to individual tribal members. Former Senator Henry L. Dawes of Massachusetts was appointed chairman of the commission. Senator Dawes and the other commissioners visited Indian Territory many times to meet with tribal leaders but had no success convincing them to negotiate agreements. Having failed to convince the tribal leaders to negotiate, the Commission was authorized by an act of Congress of June 28, 1898, to proceed with enrollment and allotment without tribal consent. This act also provided for the termination of the tribal governments.”

Image and text adapted from: National Archives and Records Administration.