PBA Galleries

Includes:

• An unsigned holograph preamble to the proposed Constitution of the Oglala Sioux tribe residing in and on the Pine Reservation in South Dakota. Consists of a one page document written in pencil on blue lined paper, in part, “In order to protect ourselves as a tribe and individual members, therof, to secure the political and civil rights as already guaranteed top us by treaty and statutes of the United States and such as are concerning our tribe, to unite our efforts toward self support and good citizenship and to promote efficiently, progressive matters in the interest of the tribe etc……”
• Also includes a typewritten Notice that “A meeting  of the non-citizen Yankton Indians or those who have not received a patent in fee to their own allotments will be held at Greenwood, South Dakota, on Saturday, January 19, 1918. It is requested that all parties coming within the class designated above be present on that date, Respecfully, and signed in full Paul Hawk, Superintendant. Yankton Indian Agency, Wagner , S.D R.R.#3 January 8, 1918  (According to an old pencil note on the letter, Hawk is referred to as Paul Flying Hawk). 

Apparently the Preamble was to be a subject of discussion as both documents were clipped together with a rusty paper clip for obviously some time. The meeting notice bears the watermark of the U.S. government. Provenance: The Calvin Otto Collection.