Indian agent

In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with Indian tribes on behalf of the U.S. government.

Indian agents

The federal regulation of Indian affairs in the United States first included development of the position of Indian agent in 1793 under the Second Trade and Intercourse Act (or The Nonintercourse Act) This required land sales by/from Indians to be federally licensed and permitted. The legislation also authorized the President of the United States to "appoint such persons, from time to time, as temporary agents to reside among the Indians," and guide them into forced acculturation of white American society by changing their agricultural practices and domestic activities. Eventually, the government ceased using the term temporary from the Indian agent's job title.

Indian agents in the U.S.: 1800 - 1840s

From the close of the 18th century to nearly 1828, Congress maintained the position that it was legally responsible for the protection of Indians from non-Indians, and in establishing this responsibility it "continue[d] to deal with Indian tribes by utilizing agents to negotiate treaties under the jurisdiction of the Department of War."

Indian agent (Canada)

Indian agent is the title of a position in Canada mandated by the Indian Act of that country. An Indian agent was the chief administrator for Indian affairs in their respective districts, although the title now is largely in disuse in preference to "government agent". The powers of the Indian agent held sway over the lives of all First Nations people in their jurisdictions. Both Indian Act and government agent duties were fused in the original colonial title of gold commissioner, which encompassed both agencies as well as the duties of magistrate, policeman, coroner and surveyor.

This title was also used in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries for individuals authorized to interact with Native American tribes on behalf of the U.S. government; see Indian agent.

See also

Indian Agent (film)

Indian Agent is a 1948 Western film starring Tim Holt as a cowboy trying to convince Indians not to go on the warpath due to the activities of a corrupt Indian agent.

References

External list