Contents and Arrangement Expanded View

Collection Overview

Creator:
Byler, William
Collector:
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
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 (mudd): 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

Description:

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.

Archival Appraisal Information:

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

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions for Reproduction and Use:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. For quotations that are fair use as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission to cite or publish is required. For those few instances beyond fair use, researchers are responsible for determining who may hold the copyright and obtaining approval from them. Researchers do not need anything further from the Mudd Library to move forward with their use.

Special Requirements for Access:

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
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