Identifier
MA 9
Dates
1905-1990
Extent
23.05 linear feet [5 record boxes, 22 document cases, 2 card file boxes, 6 oversize boxes)
Abstract
The Ben Reifel Papers document the life and career of Benjamin Reifel (1906–1990), the first Lakota Sioux elected to the U.S. Congress. Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, Reifel's early career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and distinguished military service in World War II laid the foundation for his leadership in Native American affairs. Earning advanced degrees from Harvard, he played key roles in shaping federal Indian policy before being elected to Congress in 1960 as a conservative Republican. During his five terms, Reifel championed issues such as Indian education, farm policy, and civil rights, contributing to the establishment of the National Endowment for the Humanities and securing the Earth Resources Observation Systems center for South Dakota. Following his retirement in 1970, he remained active in public service, holding leadership roles with the National Capital Planning Commission and serving as interim Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, audiovisual materials, memorabilia, and scrapbooks that provide insight into Reifel’s extensive public service and advocacy. It highlights his work with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and the South Dakota Art Museum, as well as his efforts to promote Native American economic and social development. The papers also reflect his personal achievements, including numerous awards and honorary doctorates. This collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding Reifel’s impact on public policy, his contributions to Native American communities, and his legacy in South Dakota’s political and cultural landscape.
Historical Note
Ben Reifel (1906–1990), the first Lakota Sioux elected to the U.S. Congress, was born on September 19, 1906, in a log cabin on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. The son of a German American father and a full-blooded Lakota Sioux mother, Reifel was an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and was given the Lakota name Lone Feather. He grew up bilingual and attended both a Rosebud Reservation boarding school and a local county school, graduating from the eighth grade at age sixteen. After working on his parents' farm for several years, he pursued his education at the School of Agriculture in Brookings, South Dakota, and later enrolled at South Dakota State College, where he graduated in 1932 with a degree in agriculture. He funded his studies through one of the first federal loans available to Native American students and was elected President of the Students' Association in his senior year. In 1933, he married Alice Janet Johnson, and they had one daughter, Loyce Nadine.
Reifel began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1933 as a farm agent on the Pine Ridge Reservation and was later promoted to field agent, where he helped implement the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. His efforts in promoting agricultural programs and economic development earned him recognition across South Dakota reservations. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and distinguishing himself in the European theater. After the war, he returned to the BIA, taking on leadership roles as Tribal Relations Officer and Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. In 1949, he pursued further education at Harvard University, earning a master’s degree in 1950 and a doctorate in public administration in 1952. He then returned to the BIA, serving as Area Director of the Aberdeen Area Office, where he oversaw federal Indian programs in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska.
In 1960, Reifel resigned from the BIA to run for Congress and was elected as a conservative Republican to represent South Dakota's First District. He served five terms, focusing on agricultural policies, Native American education, and civil rights. Reifel was a key advocate for desegregation in Indian schools and instrumental in securing the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) center in South Dakota, as well as supporting the establishment of the National Endowment for the Humanities. As a member of the House Agricultural Committee and later the Appropriations Committee, he fought to protect farm subsidies and advance irrigation projects critical to the region's economy. Despite his political success, he chose not to seek re-election in 1970.
Following his congressional career, Reifel continued his public service in various roles, including chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, Special Assistant for Indian Programs to the Director of the National Park Service, and Interim Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Gerald Ford. He remained active in civic organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, earning numerous accolades, including the Silver Antelope, Silver Beaver, Silver Buffalo, and Gray Wolf awards. He also served on the National Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church and as a trustee and board president of the South Dakota Art Museum, where he established its first Native American collection.
Throughout his life, Reifel was honored with several awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Department of the Interior and honorary doctorates from South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, and Northern State College. After the passing of his first wife, Alice, in 1972, he married Frances U. Colby. Reifel continued his advocacy for Native American rights and education until his death from cancer on January 2, 1990. His legacy endures through his contributions to Native American policy, public service, and South Dakota's cultural and political history.
Content Notes
The Ben Reifel Papers document the career of Ben Reifel, the first Lakota Sioux to serve in the U.S. Congress, highlighting his work as a legislator, his tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and his advocacy for Native American communities. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, audiovisual materials, memorabilia, and scrapbooks that provide insight into his contributions to public service and Native American affairs. As a pioneering Native American leader, Reifel played a key role in shaping policies related to education, healthcare, and economic development. This collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding his lasting impact on indigenous representation in government and South Dakota’s political landscape.
The activities series contains records of Reifel's involvement with various organizations and initiatives, including the Boy Scouts of America, the National Park Service, and the Dakota Territory Citizen Certificates project. It also covers his efforts in Native American affairs, congressional trips, and public events. The awards and honors section features certificates, plaques, medals, and other recognitions Reifel received throughout his career, including awards from the Boy Scouts of America, Sioux tribes, and South Dakota State University.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs materials include correspondence, newsletters, and newspaper clippings that document Reifel’s work in advancing Native American education, healthcare, and policy. The campaign series provides an in-depth look at his political career through financial records, advertisements, schedules, and materials related to the South Dakota Republican Party platforms.
Correspondence within the collection spans from Reifel’s tenure with the BIA through his congressional career, featuring letters exchanged with prominent political figures such as Barry Goldwater, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and George McGovern. The family history section contains biographical materials, educational records, military service documents, and personal writings that provide insight into his early life and career development.
Memorabilia in the collection includes campaign materials, presidential inauguration items, and personal artifacts such as a U.S. Annotated Code book with Reifel’s name embossed on the cover. The photographs offer a visual record of his political career, community interactions, travels, and personal life, particularly highlighting his work in Congress and his connections with Native American communities.
The audiovisual materials consist of campaign advertisements, legislative discussions, interviews, and speeches on healthcare, agriculture, and public service. These recordings also include public appearances and fundraising events. Scrapbooks primarily contain newspaper clippings and campaign materials that document Reifel’s public image and key political milestones.
Collected materials include books, periodicals, programs, and poetry reflecting Reifel’s diverse interests and professional pursuits. His speeches and writings consist of transcripts and drafts of addresses given at events such as Memorial Day ceremonies and commencement exercises.
Overall, the Ben Reifel Collection provides a comprehensive view of his contributions to public service, Native American advocacy, and South Dakota’s civic and political landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to understand his legislative impact, community engagement, and personal legacy.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copy-right Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permis-sions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "Reifel, Ben Papers" (2025). Archives Finding Aids. 9.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/archives_finding_aids/9
