Indians at Work: A News Sheet for Indians and the Indian Service is a historical periodical that provides insight into the daily operations, policies, and communications of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the broader federal Indian service. Published as a news sheet, it served as both an informational resource for Native Americans and a record of the government’s efforts to manage and oversee Indian reservations and programs.
The publication covers a wide range of topics, including education, employment, health services, agricultural projects, vocational training, and community initiatives. It documents government programs designed to promote self-sufficiency among Native communities, while also reflecting the paternalistic attitudes and assimilationist policies that characterized much of federal Indian policy during its time.
In addition to reporting on official policies and programs, Indians at Work includes stories of individual achievement, success in vocational training, and the work of Native leaders navigating the challenges of reservation life. The news sheet offers a valuable perspective on how federal initiatives were communicated to Indigenous communities and how Native Americans responded to and participated in these programs.
As both a historical document and a window into government-Native interactions, Indians at Work is an important resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, federal Indian policy, and the social and economic experiences of Native Americans during the 20th century.
