Barry, Edward E.

Edward E. Barry, Jr. was an Associate Professor of Soils from 1964-1966, Associate Professor of History from 1966-1972, Assistant Professor of History 1972-1976 and Professor of History 1977-1984 at Montana State University-Bozeman. He retired in 1992.

In 1946, Congress passed the Indian Claims Commission Act as an independent agency to hear and determine claims against the United States by any tribe, band or other group of American Indians residing in the United States. Grievances of an Indian tribe were brought before the three member Commission (later expanded to five members) who were appointed by the president. Decisions were reviewed by the U.S. Court of Claims and the Supreme Court if necessary. Originally created for 10 years, the Commission lasted until 1978 when it was abolished. The U.S. Court of Claims took over pending cases. To establish its case, a tribe presented evidence about tribal history and culture by experts in anthropology, ethnology and history to establish that land claimed was rightfully attributed to that particular tribe. Tribal reservation records were also introduced. If the tribe was determined to have proven its case, the value of the land at the time the land was taken was decided, and the U.S. Government paid the tribe compensation. Some of the evidence presented to the Commission came from the records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75, of the National Archives and Records Administration.