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Collection Overview

Creator:
Byler, William
Title:
William Byler Papers
Repository:
Public Policy Papers
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/xw42n7946
Dates:
1715-2000 (mostly 1975-1995)
Size:
23 boxes
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-23
Language:
English

Abstract

William Byler was Executive Director of the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) from 1962 to 1980. After leaving AAIA, Byler continued advocating for the Native American community, first at Gerard, Byler and Associates and later at William Byler Associates. Byler's papers document his work on behalf of the Native American community after leaving AAIA. The papers include legal memoranda, draft and final agreements between Native American communities and companies or government agencies, and court documents, as well as topical files of related legislation and reports on the issues.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Byler's papers document his work on behalf of the Native American community after leaving the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA). The papers include legal memoranda, draft and final agreements between Native American communities and companies or government agencies, and court documents, as well as topical files of related legislation and reports on the issues. The majority of the cases are concerned with water and land rights of individual tribes. Other issues include the use of natural resources and mining, tribal status, social services, and legislation that effected Native American communities. The collection also includes administrative and financial documents from the firms Gerard, Byler and Associates and William Byler Associates, along with the papers of legislative consultant Fraser Barron.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged into four series:

Collection Creator Biography:

Byler, William

William Byler was Executive Director of the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) from 1962 to 1980. Under Byler's leadership, the AAIA worked to promote the self-sufficiency of Native Americans as a whole and of individual communities. AAIA was especially active during this time on issues related to health, education, and welfare; economic life; arts and crafts; and land and water rights. After leaving AAIA, Byler continued advocating for the Native American community, first at Gerard, Byler and Associates and later at William Byler Associates.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Gift of William Byler in 2003 and 2004. The accession numbers associated with this gift are ML.2003.11 and ML.2004.024.

The Fraser Barron files in Box 23 were donated by William Byler's wife, Mary Byler, in 2012. The accession number associated with this donation is ML.2012.022.

Appraisal

No material was separated during processing in 2008 or 2015.

During reprocessing in 2018, approximately one linear foot of receipts and invoices for individual expenses were discarded. The financial statements of Byler's firms, monthly invoices to tribal leadership, and other more substantial financial documents were retained.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Tal Eisenzweig in August 2008. A collection-level description and a file-level inventory were created but no arrangement occurred at this time. The Fraser Barron files in Box 23 were added to the collection in 2015 after being discovered in the repository.

The collection was reprocessed by Rachel Van Unen in February-March 2018 after receiving preservation treatment for mold. The collection was intellectually arranged into four series and materials were rehoused in new archival folders.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Materials in this collection have been treated for mold; however, materials may still be fragile and exhibit signs of damage. Researchers should exercise caution when handling these materials.

Credit this material:

William Byler Papers; Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/xw42n7946
Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-23