Texas Indian Commission

The Texas Commission for Indian Affairs was created in 1965 by the 59th Legislature, House Bill 1096, Regular Session, to take over all responsibilities for the Alabama-Coushatta Indians. Prior state administration for the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation began in 1930. In that year the state began making appropriations for the reservation and designated the State Board of Control as the supervising agency. In 1950 this responsibility was transferred to the newly-created Texas Board for State Hospitals and Special Schools. The federal government relinquished federal control over the tribe in 1955. In 1965, the Board was abolished and all responsibilities for the Alabama-Coushatta Indians were transferred to the Commission for Indian Affairs. This Commission was composed of three members, appointed by the Governor, with Senate approval, to six-year overlapping terms. A chairman was elected by the members for a two-year term.

The initial responsibilities of the Commission were to develop human and economic resources of the reservation and assist the Tribal Council--the governing body of the Indians--in making the reservation self-sufficient. Specific goals were to improve the health, educational, agricultural, business, and industrial capacities of the reservation. A superintendent was appointed by the Commission to manage and supervise the reservation, subject to policy directives of the Commission.

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