MTGMss566.xml Guide to the Lorena M. Burgess Papers 1907-1973 Burgess (Lorena M.) Papers Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Rusk Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula © 2004
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Finding aid encoded by Donna McCrea 2004 Finding aid written in English. University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Mss 566 Burgess, Lorena M. (Lorena Markle) 1888-1988 Lorena M. Burgess Papers 1907-1973 5.0 linear feet The collection contains correspondence, writings, organizational materials, and publications related to the Flathead Reservation and national legislation affecting the reservation. Lorena Burgess was involved in work on federal and local issues related to the Flathead Reservation (also known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation). Burgess, a Salish (Séliš) woman, was a long-time resident of Hot Springs, Montana, and the first woman council member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Materials are in English

Lorena Markle Burgess, a Salish (Séliš) woman, was a longtime resident of Hot Springs, Montana, who was involved in work on federal and local issues related to the Flathead Reservation (also known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation). She was born on December 7, 1888, in St. Ignatius, Montana, to Jasper and Rosa Markle. She grew up in Hot Springs and received her education in Plains, Montana. She became a school teacher in Dickinson, North Dakota and at the Markle Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, prior to her marriage.

Lorena Markle married Henry Hiram Burgess on December 17, 1910. Burgess was a native of Kimball, South Dakota, who spent most of his early life in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He came to Montana in 1910, and drove stage and freight between Plains and Hot Springs. Following their marriage, the Burgess’ lived in Colorado for a few months before they returned to the Burgess ranch in Paradise, Montana, in April 1911.

Lorena M. Burgess was the first woman council member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She served a term as Hot Springs representative from 1944 through 1947. She also served as secretary of the Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, an enterprise of the tribe. She was Governor Bonner’s representative to the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council Conventions, c. 1950s. She worked on behalf of national legislation impacting the Flathead Reservation, such as the repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act and the termination of federal supervision over the Flathead Reservation. She was also presumably active with numerous national and local Indian organizations, including the American Indians of Montana and the National Congress of American Indians.

Burgess and her husband had eight children: Andrew, Dan, Bertha Gingery, Lorena “Harriet” Ellis, Anna Clark, Judith Petitclerc, Lillian Whipplinger, and Vera Rudolph. Henry Hiram Burgess died in 1962. Lorena Burgess died on January 30, 1988, at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Ronan, Montana.

The collection contains correspondence, writings, organizational materials, and publications related to the Flathead Reservation and national legislation affecting the reservation. There is also a series containing statements and speeches by United States Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana, concerning United States involvement in World War II.

The collection is divided into eight series:

Series I: Flathead Reservation, 0.5 linear feet, 1912-1954

Series II: Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, 8 folders, 1 oversize box, 1918-1949

Series III: Montana Indian Affairs, 12 folders, 1931-1951

Series IV: Organizations and Conventions, 1937-1952

Series V: National Legislation, 2.0 linear feet, 1917-1972

Series VI: Burton K. Wheeler, 0.5 linear feet, 1939-1946

Series VII: Personal, 12 folders, 1931-1961

Series VIII: Clippings, 0.5 linear feet, 1907-1973

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana

[Name of document or photograph number,] Lorena M. Burgess Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula

This collection was held by Salish Kootenai College before being transfered to the K. Ross Toole Archives by the College President, Joe McDonald, in April 2002.

This collection is on long-term loan to the K. Ross Toole Archives from the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana.

The collection arrived in loose subject arrangement, which has been maintained whenever possible. The disorganized portions of the collection were arranged chronologically and by subject. Newspaper clippings contained in the collection were copied to acid-free paper for preservation. The collection was processed by Jennifer Rusk at the K. Ross Toole Archives in 2003.

 Burgess, Lorena M. (Lorena Markle), 1888-1988 Wheeler, Burton K. (Burton Kendall), 1882-1975 Indian business enterprises--Montana --Flathead Indian Reservation Indian councils--Montana--Flathead Indian Reservation Indian women--Montana--Flathead Indian Reservation--Political activity Indian women--Montana--Hot Springs Indians of North America--Legal status, laws, etc. Indians of North America--Medical care --Montana Indians of North America--Montana Indians of North America--Montana--Flathead Indian Reservation--Politics and government Indians of North America--Montana--Societies, etc. Indians of North America--United States--Societies, etc. Indians of North America--United States--Government relations Kutenai Indians New Deal, 1933-1939--Montana Public works--United States Salish Indians World War, 1939-1945 Flathead Indian Reservation (Mont.) Wheeler, Burton K. (Burton Kendall), 1882-1975--Political and social views United States. Wheeler-Howard Act Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)--Montana American Indian Federation Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation Governors' Interstate Indian Council Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise National Congress of American Indians Montana Tuberculosis Association Montana Native Americans Civil Procedure and Courts Women Detailed Description of the Collection Series I: Flathead Reservation 1912-1954 0.5 linear feet

This series contains correspondence and writings related to the Flathead Reservation. This series also contains Tribal Council papers, including information about enrollment, minutes from meetings, election notices and other writings, proposed tribal ordinances, budgetary writings, and the minutes from various tribal committees.

The series contains correspondence between Lorena Burgess and Senator James E. Murray of Montana regarding issues on the Flathead Reservation, including Burgess’s efforts to have the supervisor of the Flathead Agency, L.W. Shotwell, transferred. Of particular interest is a collection of “Affidavits of Indians,” an indexed series of affidavits that Burgess collected from the residents of the Flathead Reservation for the purpose of testimony in Congress for the repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act.

The series contains drafts of the transcript of a radio broadcast that Lorena Burgess delivered about the state of the Flathead Reservation and proposed plans to terminate federal supervision over the Flathead Reservation. There are also various writings related to individuals on the Flathead Reservation.

1/1 Flathead Indians, “Affidavits of Indians,” with index 1939-1940 1/2 Flathead Allotment Cases 1912-1946, and undated 1/3 Flathead Reservation, Correspondence Regarding Enrollment Rules 1944-1945 1/4 Flathead Indian Agency 1944 and undated 1/5 Tribal Council 1935-1946, undated 1/6 Flathead Reservation, Minutes of the Meeting of Flatheads, St. Ignatius, Montana 1940 1/7 Flathead Reservation, Tribal Budget 1944 1/8 Flathead Reservation, Minutes of the Monument Committee 1944-1945 1/9 Flathead Reservation, Tribal Committees, Misc. 1947 and undated 1/10 Correspondence with Senator James Murray Re: Flathead Reservation 1942-1943 1/11 Flathead Reservation, Resolutions Urging Support for Indian Legislation 1941-1943 1/12 First Hot Springs District, Indian Farmer’s Institute March 12, 1921 1/13 Flathead Tribal Council Election, Hot Springs District, Lorena Burgess Candidate 1945-1948 and undated 1/14 Camas Prairie District Elections 1935-1947 1/15 Flathead Reservation, Montana Power Company, and Rocky Mountain Power Co. 1936-1944 1/16 Flathead Land Sale Oct. 15, 1952 1/17 KXLL Broadcast by Lorena Burgess, Missoula, Montana, about Flathead Reservation (various drafts) June 19, 1954 1/18 Flathead Petition Against Stephen Demers undated 1/19 Petition to Prohibit Gambling on the Flathead Reservation undated 1/20 A Trip Over the Flathead Indian Reservation, by Lorena Burgess undated 1/21 Flathead Reservation, Petition Against S. 401 undated 1/22 Chief Charlot Photos with Description undated 1/23 Writings and Correspondence Related to Henry Matt 1939-1940 Series II: Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise 1918-1949 5 folders, 1 oversize box

The series contains minutes, financial statements, correspondence, various writings, and architectural drawings from the Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, a Flathead tribal enterprise, prepared by the firm Perkins, Wheeler, and Howard.

 1/24 Hot Springs, Montana, Misc. 1918 and undated 1/25 Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, Financial Statements 1941-1947 1/26 Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, Board Minutes 1944-1946 1/27 Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, Blue Bay 1947-1949 1/28 Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise, Correspondence 1942-1947 OS1 Hot Springs, proposed development architectural plans by Perkins, Wheeler, and Will Architects 1945. Series III: Montana Indian Affairs 1931-1951 12 folders

The series contains correspondence and publications related to Native Americans in Montana, encompassing issues affecting those tribes outside of the Flathead Reservation. The contents of this series include materials related to the Indian Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Montana, various writings of Montana Indian organizations, particularly associations dealing with health issues in Montana, such as the Montana Tuberculosis Association. One item of particular note in this series is a questionnaire that Lorena Burgess prepared to gather demographic information and other facts about reservations in Montana.

 2/1 Montana Politics and Montana Indians by Robert Yellowtail undated 2/2 District Court Cases, D. Montana March 9, 1931 2/3 Indian Civilian Conservation Corps, Montana 1939-1941 2/4 Typewritten copy of Treaty with Blackfeet (1855) undated 2/5 Blackfeet Reservation, Hearing on Indian Affairs August 4, 1944 2/6 Health Issues, Flathead Reservation and Montana Indian Tribes 1944-1951 2/7 Report of Indians Living in Helena October 11, 1950 2/8 Montana Indian Reservation Questionnaires and Statistics compiled by Lorena Burgess 1940 and undated 2/9 Minutes of Meeting of Browning-Flathead Delegates September 4 and 5, 1945 2/10 Correspondence Regarding the Landless Indians of Montana 1950-1951 2/11 Montana Inter-tribal Policy Board 1951 2/12 Constitution and By-Laws of the Montana Indian Affairs and Policy Committee undated Series IV: Organizations and Conventions 1937-1952

The series contains publications and writings related to various state and national Indian organizations, including the Governors’ Interstate Council on Indian Affairs, the American Indian Federation, and the National Congress of American Indians.

Most of the materials in the series are related to the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council (GIIC), in which Burgess was involved. The series contains newsletters, programs, minutes, and correspondence, etc. related to the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council. The series contains correspondence between Lorena Burgess and Governor Bonner regarding the GIIC Conferences. The series also contains fact-finding correspondence related to the conferences that Burgess attended and more routine letters about travel plans and expenses, general informational mailings, etc.

2/13 WOOPSAKI Organization 1940 2/14 American Indians of Montana 1945-1951 2/15 Writings, Governors’ Interstate Indian Council undated 2/16 Governors’ Interstate Indian Council Minutes 1950 2/17 Governors’ Interstate Council on Indian Affairs Resolution, March 1950 2/18 Interstate Indian Council Organization Meeting, Salt Lake City May 12, 1950 2/19 Governors’ Interstate Indian Council Reports and Addresses 1950-1952 2/20 Governors’ Interstate Indian Council Newsletters 1950-1952 2/21 Correspondence Regarding Governors’ Interstate Indian Council 1950-1952 2/22 Correspondence Between Lorena Burgess and Governor John Bonner 1950-1952 2/23 American Indian Federation 1937-1940 2/24 National Congress of American Indians 1946-1952 2/25 American Indian Day September 23, 1948 2/26 The Indian at the Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth December 3-7, 1950 Series V: National Legislation 1917-1972 2.0 linear feet

The series contains writings, correspondence, and publications related to national legislation that had an impact on the Flathead Reservation. Notably represented are writings and publications related to the repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act, including Burgess’s testimony before Congress. Also represented are efforts to end federal supervision over national reservations, including the Flathead Reservation. There is considerable correspondence related to the termination of federal supervision that Burgess solicited from tribal members regarding their opinions of the legislation. The series also contains drafts of bills written by the Flathead people.

National issues represented in the series include the Flathead Irrigation District, the Columbia Valley Administration, and the Paradise Dam proposal. The series also contains bills, hearings, resolutions, public laws, and copies of the Congressional Record that Burgess saved related to Native American issues.

The series is arranged by subject and date, wherever possible. Bills and GPO documents are grouped together by subject and chronological arrangement.

 3/1 Patriotic Writings, Various 1917, 1951, and undated 3/2 Correspondence Regarding the Repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act 1938-1941 3/3 Writings Related to the Repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act, Flathead Reservation 1939 3/4 Repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act, Unidentified Testimony c. 1939-1940 3/5 Repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act, Testimony of Lorena Burgess July 12, 1939 3/6 Flathead Reservation, Petition for Repeal of the Wheeler-Howard Act 1939-1940 3/7 Questions and Answers Concerning the Indian Reorganization (Modified Wheeler-Howard) Act undated 3/8 Rough Draft Bill to End Federal Supervision Over the Flathead Reservation (Marked up copies) 1953 3/9 Writings Related to the Termination of the Flathead Reservation 1953-1954, and undated 3/10 Correspondence Related to the Termination of the Reservation Nov. 9, 1953-Feb. 16, 1954 3/11 Correspondence Related to the Termination of the Flathead Reservation March 14, 1954-December 29, 1954 3/12 Correspondence Related to the Termination of the Flathead Reservation Jan. 5, 1955 to Jan. 22, 1955 3/13 Correspondence Related to the Termination of the Flathead Reservation Jan. 24, 1955 to March 7, 1955 4/1 Correspondence Related to the Termination of the Flathead Reservation March, 15, 1955-1960 4/2 Termination of Federal Supervision Over Certain Tribes of Indians, Joint Hearing, House and Senate 1954 4/3 Flathead Irrigation Project 1928-1946, and undated 4/4 Flathead Irrigation Project, Montana, Hearings 1947-1948 4/5 Flathead Irrigation Project, Reports, House of Representatives 1948-1964 4/6 Writings Related to the Paradise Dam 1945-1958 4/7 Petition Against Paradise Dam Proposal 1948 4/8 Opposition to the Paradise Dam, Writings by Lorena Burgess 1957 4/9 Publications and Clippings Related to the Paradise Dam 1947-1959, and undated 4/10 Department of the Interior, Various 1919-1951 4/11 Social Security Act and Native American Tribes 1939-1944 4/12 Indian Citizenship 1931-1940, and undated 4/13 Report: Mobilization of the Indian Service and Indian Resources for National DefenseJune 15, 1940 4/14 Indian Liquor Law 1946-1953 4/15 Indian Affairs, Various Writings 1940-1949 4/16 Correspondence Between Lorena Burgess and Governor Bonner Regarding the Columbia Valley Administration 1949 4/17 The Federal Indian Service Jan. 31, 1949 4/18 North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission 1950-1953 4/19 Summary of Landmark Indian Legislation 1950 and undated 4/20 Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Fort Yates, North Dakota May 21, 1951 4/21 Other tribes, Paiute, Klamath Tribes, etc. 1947-1953 4/22 Correspondence Re: S.271 March 4, 1958 4/23 "Questions for Lone Wolf Decision," by Robert Yellowtail undated 4/24 Land Issues, Reports, House of Representatives 1947-1948 4/25 Indian Issues, Various Reports, House of Representatives 1943-1954 4/26 Public Laws and Resolutions, House of Representatives 1932-1953 4/27 Senate Bills on Indian Affairs 1941-1967 4/28 Indian Affairs, Bills, House of Representatives 1939-1954 4/29 Flathead Indian Reservation, Bills, House of Representatives 1939-1954 4/30 Appropriations Bill, Department of the Interior for 1941, H.R. 8745 March 4, 1940 4/31 Soil Survey of the Lower Flathead Valley Area, Montana, U.S.D.A 1929 5/1 Survey of Conditions of the Indians in the United States, Hearings (S. Res. 79) (S. Res. 308) 1930-1932 5/2 Survey of Conditions of the Indians in the United States Hearings 1930-1932 5/3 Survey of Conditions of the Indians in the United States, Hearings (S. Res. 79) (S. Res. 308) Jan. 21, 1930 5/4 Extending Restrictions on Quapaw Indian Laws (H.R. 3796), Hearing, U.S. Senate June 19, 1939 5/5 Final Discharge on Certain Indian Individual Indians, Hearings, S. 2206 1939 5/6 Payment to Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands of Sioux Indians for Certain Lands (S. 2085), Hearing May 2, 1939 5/7 Bibliography on the Agriculture of the American Indians, U.S.D.A. January 1942 5/8 Interior Department Appropriation Bill for 1943, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Hearings 1942 5/9 Removal of Restrictions on Indian Property, Hearings, S. 1311 January 10 and June 8, 1944 5/10 Joint Hearing of House and Senate Regarding Indian Hospital January 31, 1949 5/11 Administration of the National Forests, Hearings, S. 2548 1954 6/1 GPO Publications 1931-1944 6/2 Repayment of the Construction Costs of Federal and Indian Reclamation Projects, GPO Document 1938 6/3 World War II, Pamphlets and GPO Reports 1942-1945 6/4 Congressional Record 1927, 1935, 1937 6/5 Congressional Record 1940-1949 6/6 Congressional Record 1941, 1949 6/7 Congressional Record 1950-1951 6/8 Congressional Record July 2, 1951, Sept. 22, 1951 6/9 Congressional Record 1952-1953 6/10 Congressional Record 1954, 1956 6/11 Congressional Record (vol. 10, No. 14-15) January 27-28, 1955 6/12 Congressional Record (vol. 10, No. 17-18) February 1-2, 1955 6/13 Congressional Record (vol. 10, No. 19-20) February 3-4, 1955 6/14 Congressional Record 1957-1958, 1963, 1967, 1972 Series VI: Burton K. Wheeler 1939-1946 0.5 linear feet

The series contains speeches and writings of Burton K. Wheeler related to his viewpoint of U.S. involvement in WWII. The bulk of the series is comprised of a series of speeches and writings that are arranged according to an index compiled presumably by Lorena Burgess for a project. The speeches are from Congressional Records, GPO publications, and other sources, many of which are typewritten. Each document was assigned a number that corresponds to the index: “Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler.”

The series also contains a few folders of speeches and writings related to Burton K. Wheeler and the WWII issue that are not indexed.

The speeches and writings that are numerically arranged entitled “Speeches and Statements” are in order according to the index. The numbered documents are not complete and a few are missing from the collection or have lost their numbered tag.

6/15 Speeches and Writings, World War II 1939, 1941 6/16 Speeches and Writings, Burton K. Wheeler 1940-1946, and undated 6/17 America Enabling Act, World War II, Burton K. Wheeler 1941 7/1 Index to Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler January 8, 1940 to July 15, 1946 7/2 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#2-#20 in index) Jan. 9, 1940 to May 9, 1940 7/3 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#21-#40 in index) June 7, 1940 to Feb. 25, 1941 7/4 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#42-#59 in index) March 3, 1941 to May 7, 1941 7/5 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#62-#80 in index) May 14, 1941 to August 28, 1941, and undated 7/6 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#82-#100 in index) Sept. 1, 1941 to August 28, 1941 7/7 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#101-#120 in index) June 27, 1943 to August 7, 1945 7/8 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#121-#140 in index) August 8, 1945 to Feb. 16, 1946 7/9 Speeches and Statements of Burton K. Wheeler (#141-#151 in index) May 3, 1946 to July 8, 1946 Series VII: Personal, 12 folders, 1931-1961, and undated

The series contains personal correspondence, financial statements, and various writings.

8/1 Henry Burgess, McGowan Commercial Account 1931 8/2 Personal Correspondence 1938-1965, and undated 8/3 Writings of Lucille Ducharme 1939-1950, and undated 8/4 Educational Loan Materials 1941 8/5 Correspondence Regarding Scholarships for Indian Girls August 3, 1950 8/6 Correspondence Regarding George Pistol 1950-1951 8/7 Correspondence with Olga Johnson 1959-1961 8/8 Correspondence Regarding Indian Issues 1941-1955, and undated 8/9 Correspondence Regarding Congressman William H. Harrison 1953 8/10 Letter Regarding the Nepotism Law undated 8/11 Indian Rights, Writing by Unknown Author undated 8/12 Various hand-written notes [Lorena Burgess ?] undated Series VIII: Clippings 1907-1973 0.5 linear feet

The series contains clippings and publications from various sources. Most of the clippings are related to Native American issues and other current events. She collected newsletters and other publications on western Montana and Flathead Reservation history. The publications represented include Char-Koosta News and the Missoulian.

The series is arranged by publication and date, wherever possible. Many of the clippings do not have dates or sources specified. Full publications in the series were placed in individual folders wherever possible.

8/13 Clippings 1907-1949 8/14 Clippings 1950-1959 8/15 Clippings 1960-1967 8/16 Clippings undated 8/17 Various Newsletters, Indian Issues 1919-1970 8/18 The American Indian: Captive or Citizen (Newsletters) 1927-1931 8/19 Various Pamphlets 1934, 1940, 1949, 1977, and undated 8/20 Pamphlets About Parliamentary Procedure 1935-1963, and undated 8/21 Whither the American Indian? Survey: Graphic March 1940 9/1 Char-Koosta News, vol. 2, no. 4, 5, 7 9/2 Char-Koosta News, vol. 2, no. 11-13 9/3 Char-Koosta News, vol. 10, no. 22 (April 1982), vol 11, no. 10 (October 1982) 9/4 Indians at Work , an Indian Services Publication 1940 and undated 9/5 The Indian Revealer May 14, 1940 9/6 Newspaper Guest Columns by Lorena Burgess 1954 9/7 “Flathead Reservation,” Special Report, Sunday MissoulianApril 20, 1969 9/8 “Drugs in Missoula,” Special Report, Sunday MissoulianSeptember 28, 1969 9/9 "feet Missoula History", from Sunday MissoulianOct. 22, Nov. 5, 1972 9/10 Daily Missoulian, Classic Headline Edition April 30, 1973 9/11 Senior Citizens Center Newsletter 1973 and undated