LAD #21

The Dawes Act, or the General Allotment Act of 1887, was composed of eleven basic provisions. Firstly, the President may survey the arable tribal land, and divide it up between the individual Native Americans, and their families. The Second provision deals with who will pick allotment for a minor or orphan child. The third requires settlers to certify the allotment, and they must be able to produce a copy of certification. The fourth provision ensures that Native Americans both on and off the reservations are eligible for equal allotment of land. The Fifth states that the government will hold the land in trust for 25 years, before ownership goes to the family. The Sixth states that under the Land Patent process, landholders will be American citizens with full priviledge. The Seventh provision simplifies the distribution of irrigated lands and/or deals with water rights. The Eigth exempts the Five Civilized tribes, and other groups from land allocation. The Ninth section deals with funding of the allotments. The Tenth act ensures that Eminent Domain will be reserved for the government on all allotments. Finally, the last segment contains a provision for Southern Indians, primarily the Ute tribe.