American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Approximately 28 documents associated with Washington, DC attorney Daniel B. Henderson and bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa. The La Pointe, Red Lake, and White Earth Bands figure most prominently in the collection. Various places, 1896-1929.

Documents in the collection include the following: 29 March 1919 letter "To Whom It May Concern" signed by four chiefs and five headmen of the La Point Band of Chippewa finding that "W.S. Bonner, is now first chief of the L'Anse Band of Chippewa Indians, having inherited his rights to the chiefship from his grandfather, David King, whose Indian name was "Ge-We-Sa-gish." -- 8 May 1929 letter to Henderson signed by 11 chiefs and headmen of the LaPoint Band. -- 9 letters from Chief James Scott and Chief James Stoddard to Henderson. -- Correspondence (1896-1899) associated with the delineation of the eastern boundary of Turtle Lake of the Red Lake Reservation, including a duly sworn statement made on 26 August 1897 by "Nay-nah-e gwon abe" in which he details the boundaries of hunting grounds as taught to him by his father. -- Two letters from Eugene J. Warren, a graduate of Carlisle Indian School, to Henderson asking for assistance in obtaining employment in the Indian Service. Warren was recommended by the General Council of the White Earth Indian Reservation for the role of principal of the White Earth Boarding School and their wishes were rejected. Warren comments on 30 August 1913 that "As long as the Civil Service continues to play such an important part in the educational work upon this reservation just so long we will continue to be in the same old rut that we have been struggling to get out of for years."   

[Also with:] Minutes of a council of the Pembina band of Chippewa Indians residing at the White Earth Indian Resrvation, 5pp, 1900, including discussion of resolution to secure Henderson's representation for claims against the US government. -- A 1901 agreement between Richard C. Adams, Daniel B. Henderson, and Robert Owens and the Indian Protective Association related to a property transfer of Indian lands. -- A 1903 agreement between James Weldon Gibson and Richard C. Adams related to transfer of land from a Delaware Indian allotment in Indian Territory. -- A 1912 agreement between the White Earth Bands of Chippewa and Henderson for his services in proceedings with the Secretary of the Interior. -- Minutes of the General Council of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan, 7pp, 27 September 1917, including discussion of fundraising to pay for delegates to travel to Washington, DC. -- "Map of L'Anse Indian Reservation Michigan" Department of the Interior Office of Indian Affairs, 1912. 

Daniel Brosius Henderson, Sr. (1862-1940) spent the bulk of his career litigating on behalf of America's Native peoples. He was born in Hancock, Maryland, attended the University of Virginia, and by the late 1800s had established a law practice in Kansas City, Missouri. After more than a decade in Missouri, Henderson and his growing family returned to Virginia in 1901. It was in Washington, DC, where the young lawyer would distinguish himself as a prominent attorney with a specialization in Indian claims litigation.  Over the course of a decades long career, he represented the claims of multiple tribes in disputes against the US government.