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Native American and Indigenous Communities: Government Documents

This guide is for students to know more about Native American and Indigenous communities and what resources MVC has in their collection and where they can find further information beyond that.

Government Documents

Much of the items listed here are available on governmental websites. 

For more information or to discover more resources, consider visiting the following links for more information:

  1. Govinfo
  2. National Archives
  3. Library of Congress

There are many resources available through the web in which to explore. Governmental documents are a primary source that discuss the most direct accounts of the relationship tribes have with the land today. They are a dependable choice to use when conducting research.

Library of Congress resources

The Library of Congress collection includes many documents including Native American constitutions, acts, charters, and council meeting ordinances. Their law library has preserved many items related to the 1830 removal of tribes via the Trail of Tears. Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes were all involved in this event.

Archival Content

The National Archives (NARA) allows you to search for an individual or family from a tribe. They may or may not have information on that group.

Some have military recognition, are listed in educational records, employment records, census records, or are found in information related to BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) (Allotment records, case files, and other types of documents and files).

Reference: (951) 571-6447 | Circulation: (951) 571-6356 | Text/SMS: (951) 319-7358 | Email: reference@mvc.edu; circulation@mvc.edu | Drop in Zoom: mvc.edu/library | Chat: mvc.edu/library