History of Native Nations in the U.S. & Canada

A Few Tips for Searching ProQuest Congressional

>> These tips to do not cover everything that is in the two videos, but can help when searching for historical documents relating to Native American history.

Hearings:

• You can search hearings for testimony by tribal members by going to the "Witness/Panelist" box, using the  "Witness Affiliation" search box, and typing the name of the tribe as a search term

You may need to enter alternate spellings for some tribal names, especially when searching early years, e.g.: yakima OR yakama

• Limit by a range of years or by Congress to narrow results

When Searching House and Senate Documents:

Limit the date ranges

Useful search terms:

• Indian treaties
• report of commissioner of Indian affairs
• Indian and a place name
• Names of tribes (combine alternate names or spellings with OR)
• Indian affairs
• Avoid "Native American"; not used in primary historical sources