Arthur S. Bensell Papers

Arthur S. Bensell Papers, 1949-1987

Overview of the Collection

Collector: Bensell, Arthur S.
Title: Arthur S. Bensell Papers
Dates: 1949-1987 (inclusive)
19491987

1975-1983 (bulk)
19751983
Quantity: 1.1 cubic feet, (3 boxes)
Collection Number: OrSlTCC Bensell, Arthur
Summary: The collection contains materials pertaining to Arthur Bensell's involvement in the Commission on Indian Services and Siletz Tribal Council.
Repository: Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, Tribal Cultural Collections
402 Government Hill Rd
Siletz, OR
97380
Telephone: 5414442450
robertk@ctsi.nsn.us
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: Collection materials are in English.
Sponsor: Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant rewarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Arthur S. Bensell was born on April 23, 1909 in Siletz, Oregon. Throughout high school, Bensell was recognized for his athletic ability and was selected for the Oregon All-State Football Team in 1928. He received a football scholarship to Ohio State but soon transferred to Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio where he graduated in 1934. Bensell worked as a school teacher and administrator for 20 years in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools in Ohio, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Alaska.

1974. With the reorganization of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in 1973, Bensell became involved in the movement for restoration of Siletz tribal status. Bensell served as the Tribal Council Chairman from 1975-1980, directing the development of the Siletz Reservation and housing improvement programs.

In 1978, Bensell became the first Native American to receive the University of Oregon Distinguished Service Award for his efforts to restore federal recognition and support for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. On March 28, 1987, Arthur Bensell was inducted into the Native American Athletic Hall of Fame. Bensell remained a member of the Siletz Tribal Council from 1975 until his death on May 11, 1988 in Siletz.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains materials gathered during Bensell's years as a member and Chairman of the Siletz Tribal Council. Collection focuses include the development of Government Hill, restoration of Siletz tribal status, and regulation of timber and natural resources. Materials associated with affiliated organizations, including the Commission on Indian Services and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, are included.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Arthur S. Bensell Papers, Siletz Tribal Cultural Collections, Siletz, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 8 series: 1. Tribal Council, 1956-1984; 2. Housing and Reservation Development, 1979-1983; 3. Natural Resources, 1973-1983; 4. Education, 1975-1984; 5. Health Services, 1980-1983; 6. Legislation, 1949-1980; 7. Northwest and Siletz Tribal Affairs, 1956-1987; 8. Newspaper Articles, 1975-1980. Series 1 contains 3 subgroups: 1. Minutes and Agendas, 1956-1984; 2. Resolutions, 1982-1983; 3. Correspondence and Handbook, 1980-1983. Series 2 contains 3 subgroups: 1. Block Grant and Housing Improvement Programs, 1979-1983; 2. Government Hill Development, 1981-1983; 3. Reservation Implementation Program, 1981-1983. Series 3 contains 2 subgroups: 1. Timber Management, 1973-1983; 2. Fish and Wildlife Management, 1980-1982. Series 6 contains 3 subgroups: 1. 1949 Claims Case Decisions, 1949; 2. Siletz Restoration and Reservation, 1976-1980; 3. Additional Bills and Acts, 1981-1984. Series 7 contains 7 subgroups: 1. Commission on Indian Services, 1978-1982; 2. Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, 1980-1983; 3. Indian Child Welfare Programs, 1978-1983; 4. Siletz Enrollment, 1956-1982; 5. Iron Mountain Claims and Real Estate Appraisals, 1983; 6. Siletz Constitution and Manuals, 1978-1983; 7. Additional Materials, 1978-1987.

Separated Materials

Oversize materials are located in a separate container.

Related Materials

Additional collections pertaining to restoration of Siletz tribal status and the establishment of the Siletz Reservation include the Pauline “Bell” Ricks Papers, Steve Early Photographs, and Vic Bucy Collection. Other materials relating to the Siletz Tribal Council include the Daniel Orton Papers and Siletz News Collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Tribal Council, 1956-1984Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/2-4

Series 1 contains minutes, resolutions, and correspondence produced by the Siletz Tribal Council. Focuses include tribal enrollment, Indian Child Welfare Program, and timber resource management.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/2	Minutes and Agendas	1956-1984
1/3	Resolutions	1982-1983
1/4	Correspondence	1980-1983

Series II: Housing and Reservation Development, 1979-1983Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/5-7

Series 2 includes applications and correspondence regarding housing improvement programs and development of the Siletz Reservation.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/5	Block Grant and Housing Improvement Programs	1979-1983
1/6	Government Hill Development	1981-1983
1/7	Reservation Implementation Program	1981-1983

Series III: Natural Resources, 1973-1983Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/8-9

Series 3 contains materials focusing on timber management and fishing rights.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/8	Timber Management	1973-1983
1/9	Fish and Wildlife Management	1980-1982

Series IV: Education, 1975-1984Return to Top

Series 4 contains materials regarding Native American education including fellowships and reviews of the treatment of Native American history and culture in Oregon history textbooks.

Series V: Health Services, 1980-1983Return to Top

Series 5 contains materials regarding health care and programs, including a 1981 draft of the Siletz Tribal Health Plan and an agreement between the Indian Health Service and Confederated Tribes of Siletz regarding the installation of sanitation facilities on the Siletz Reservation.

Series VI: Legislation, 1949-1980Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 2/1-2

Series 6 focuses on the restoration of federal recognition and support for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the establishment of the Siletz Reservation.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
2/1	Claims Case Decisions	1949
2/1-2	Siletz Restoration and Reservation	1976-1980
2/2	Additional Bills and Acts	1981-1984

Series VII: Northwest and Siletz Tribal Affairs, 1956-1987Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 2/3-8, 3/1-3

Series 7 contains materials pertaining to Pacific Northwest Native American tribes including Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians resolutions and Commission on Indian Services annual report. Materials focusing on the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians include the Siletz constitution, tribal enrollment, and real estate appraisals.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
2/3	Commission on Indian Services	1978-1982
2/4	Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians	1980-1983
2/5	Indian Child Welfare Programs	1978-1983
2/6	Siletz Enrollment	1956-1982
2/7	Iron Mountain Claims and Real Estate Appraisals	1983
2/8	Siletz Constitution and Manuals	1978-1983
3/1-3	Additional Materials	1978-1987

Series VIII: Newspaper Articles, 1975-1980Return to Top

Series 8 contains newspaper articles that focus on the restoration of federal recognition and support for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, establishment of the Siletz Reservation, and transfer of Government Hill to the CTSI.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Block grants--Oregon
Indians of North America--Education--Oregon
Lumber industry--Oregon, Western
Siletz Indians--Legal status, laws, etc.

Geographical Names

Siletz Indian Reservation (Or.)--History

Form or Genre Terms

Correspondence
Minutes
Newspaper clippings

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents