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Does The BIA Really Enhance The Quality Of Native American Life?

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Does the BIA Really Enhance the Quality of Native American Life?
Although the United States is arguably one of the most progressed democracies globally, certain aspects of the government’s institutions need attention. An institution is a broad term that accounts for the Electoral College, news outlets, education, economy, and most specifically, the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Informally, the bureaucracy is considered an institution since it is necessary in executing policy throughout the country. Within the bureaucracy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs exists. The BIA is currently housed within the Department of the Interior, a department under the Executive branch. The BIA is in charge of protecting the interests of Native Americans. However, throughout history, the BIA seems to only protect the interests that they deem necessary. (Cornell) The Founding Fathers knew at the very beginning that they’d have an ongoing and complex conflict with the Native Americans, as they knew that they had stolen their land in a matter of seconds. The United States trusts in the Bureau of Indian Affairs to justly assist in the regulations and governance of Native American tribes, but does it? …show more content…

During the earliest years of the United States when the US Constitution was written, the Founding Fathers addressed the Native Americans living on the land the earliest in Article 1, Section 8. “Congress shall have power to regulate Commerce with foreign nations...and with the Indian tribes.” (U.S. Const. Art. I, Sect. 8.) Suddenly, the United States had authority over the Native American tribes and how to deal with them economically and

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