Pros And Cons Of John Collier

University of California, Berkeley

The Good, The Bad, John Collier

Keanu Marquez
JoEllen Anderson Phd
NATAMST 176
05/09/23

John Collier's time as U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1933 to 1945 was a pivotal moment in the history of Native American relations with the federal government. Collier, who was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sought to reform the federal government's policies towards Native Americans and improve their living conditions, cultural rights, and political power. Collier's policies, commonly known as the Indian New Deal, aimed to end the assimilationist policies of the previous decades and promote the preservation of Native American culture and self-governance. However, Collier's actions

One of the most damaging policies of Collier's era was the forced assimilation of Native American children through the Indian Boarding School system. Of course we covered that he reversed some assimilation; however, there were instances where other areas of their lives were forced to assimilate. This system was designed to separate Native American children from their families and culture in order to assimilate them into white American society. The trauma caused by this system was severe, as children were punished for speaking their native language, forced to cut their hair, wear western clothing, and subjected to physical and/or emotional abuse. The legacy of this system is still felt today, as Native American families continue to grapple with the trauma and loss of culture caused by forced assimilation (Deloria

While some Native American leaders and organizations have criticized Collier's policies as paternalistic and not fully effective, others recognize the importance of his efforts to promote self-governance and cultural preservation. Collier's policies, especially the IRA, laid the foundation for contemporary tribal governance structures and tribal sovereignty. Today, Native American communities continue to face many challenges, including poverty, healthcare disparities, and ongoing efforts to reclaim and preserve their cultural heritage. The legacy of Collier's policies underscores the importance of supporting Native American self-determination and working to address ongoing issues facing these