Lessons in Advocacy: A Look Into the Legacy of the Indian Rights Association

Written By: Cait Medearis and Brittany Harlow

(NATIONAL) Established in Philadelphia in 1882, the Indian Rights Association (IRA) became a pioneering force in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dedicated to advancing the rights and welfare of Native American communities across the United States, as they saw fit. 

Founded by a group of philanthropists and reformers–including Herbert Welsh, Matthew Sniffen, and Lawrence E. Lindley–the IRA initially aimed to promote the ‘complete civilization’ of Indigenous people and their integration into American society. With its roots in Philadelphia and later expanding into Washington, DC, the IRA began advocating for policy reforms and challenging injustices faced by Native Americans. 

Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, the Indian Rights Association used its influence through legislative lobbying, correspondence with Native American agents, and visits to reservations. With a focus on assimilation and citizenship, the IRA worked to enforce existing treaties and statutes, aiming to secure political and civil rights for Native Americans. But this work also included advocacy for land allotments, which ultimately proved detrimental for Native Americans. They acknowledged this harm in Oklahoma after the county court system gained control of the probate jurisdiction, but elsewhere? Not so much. 

Related Story: In Oklahoma, theft of Indigenous land was swift and relentless following statehood

Secretary of Culture and Humanities at the Muscogee Creek Nation RaeLynn Butler was not aware of the IRA’s existence or their helpful and not so helpful advocacy when we asked her to talk about Native American relations. 

She said even today, people get nervous when reaching out to the Nation, worried about being offensive or disrespectful. 

“The hard part is things that happened 50, a 100 years ago, oftentimes are not anyone living today's doing, and so not trying to point fingers or blame,” Butler said. “It's more of, hey, acknowledging that these things happened in the past and realizing that we have an opportunity to do better in the future, you know?”  

In the early decades of the 20th century, the IRA's goal underwent an important transformation, seizing on their own opportunity to do better. Recognizing the need to move away from assimilation-focused, white-savior-esque policies, the association shifted its efforts towards educating Americans about the rich cultures and traditions of Native peoples. This redirection towards a more inclusive approach laid the groundwork for a new era of advocacy, though they continued to push back on full tribal self-governance. 

Central to the IRA's efforts in increasing overall understanding of Native American challenges was the publication of Indian Truth. Launched in 1924 (and spanning more than 60 years), Indian Truth offered an in-depth review of Indian affairs. 

Through this publication and other initiatives, the IRA played a vital role in ending myths and stereotypes regarding Native American communities while celebrating their cultural heritage. Additionally, the IRA's efforts brought real, tangible outcomes–including the passage of the Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted US citizenship to all Native Americans. 

As the IRA continued to evolve, it became more widely recognized among non-Native audiences and legislators in Washington, DC as a source of reliable information on Native American affairs. These positive outcomes, such as increased federal funding for tribes, made clear the IRA's legacy and its lasting impact on Native American history.

From its beginnings in Philadelphia to its influence on a national level, the IRA navigated a difficult era of social and political troubles, adapting its goals to meet the true needs of Native American communities. The association’s change in focus towards cultural preservation and Indigenous rights awareness was clearly at the forefront of a larger shift in American attitudes towards inclusivity. 

The IRA's legacy, a time capsule of the good, bad, and the ugly of Native American advocacy, lives on in a 350,000-piece collection, housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 

Butler said she is interested to see what is in that collection and offered her own recommendations for advocating for Native American rights today. 

“Just the history aspect itself is, I think, a good reason to reach out to understand the land that you live on, or the land that your business is located on, or the people that you serve that are customers or students,” Butler said. “Families who live in your neighborhood, and as a community, we need to know one another and help one another, and the only way to do that is to actually communicate.” 

She said knowing who to reach out to is another important step in the communication process, if one is focused on building better tribal relations in a particular area. Muscogee Nation, for instance, Butler said, has over 70 departments at the tribe and 2000 plus employees. 

Knowing that the stances of tribal government, tribal citizens, and those with Native American ancestry can vary significantly is also key to working together effectively.

“Our hands are open to shake new partners' and get to meet new folks in the community,”. Butler said. “And learn more about Muscogee Nation and find ways for our communities to work together, for the greater community.”  

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