Texas Indian Commission
Texas Indian Commission
The Texas Commission for Indian Affairs was created in 1965 (House Bill 1096, 59th Texas Legislature, Regular Session) and tasked to liaise with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in matters pertaining to the Tribe’s reservation that shares geography with Texas. In 1975 (House Bill 393, 64th Legislature, Regular Session), the agency’s name was changed to the Texas Indian Commission (TIC). House Bill 888 (60th Legislature, Regular Session) transferred all trust activities concerning the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to the commission. Senate Bill 168, 65th Legislature, Regular Session, recognized the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) of the Eagle Pass area as a Texas Tribe. The commission was mandated to serve the three Tribes and state-chartered intertribal organizations in applying for and managing, jointly with the commission, federal funds and programs and private funds, for improving the health outcomes, housing quality, and educational and economic opportunities on reservations in Texas.
The Tribes began a movement in the mid-1980s to have their trust responsibilities transferred back to federal control. The federal government passed a law on August 18, 1987, resuming support for the Texas Tribes, eventually contributing to the demise of TIC. The commission was due for sunset review in 1989. Three bills (House Bill 858, House Bill 1252, and Senate Bill 481) were introduced in the 71st Legislature to continue the commission’s existence and all failed. The Texas Indian Commission was abolished on September 1, 1989.
Texas Indian Commission Records, 1954-1989
Creator: Texas Indian Commission
Title: Texas Indian Commission records
Dates: 1954-1989, undated
Abstract: The Texas Indian Commission (TIC), initially named the Texas Commission for Indian Affairs, was created in 1965 (House Bill 1096, 59th Texas Legislature, Regular Session) and tasked to liaise with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in matters pertaining to the Tribe’s reservation that shares geography with Texas. These Texas Indian Commission records (and those of its predecessor, the Texas Commission for Indian Affairs) reflect the operations of TIC as it worked with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; with inter-Tribal organizations in the state; and with the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council. The records document the agency’s role in effecting passage of legislation relevant to Texas Tribes and in providing information to the public, Texas Legislature, and Native organizations. The records comprise correspondence, reports, minutes, legislation, financial materials, clippings, articles, brochures, announcements, notes, audiocassettes, blueprints, topographic maps, and other materials, dating 1954-1989, undated. The blueprints and topographic maps have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
