Smith River Indian Agency (California)

Indian Tribes Associated With This Agency
Wailaki, Saia, Mattole, and other Indians. Indians of California

History
The Nome Lackee Agency was established as an agency in 1864, with responsibility for Indians living on the Smith River Reservation, located in northwestern California near Crescent City. Most of the Indians of the Smith River Reservation had lived along the Eel River in Humboldt County before being assigned to the Smith River Reservation.

The Smith River Agency was abolished in 1869 and the Indians moved to Hoopa Valley Agency.

Agents and Appointment Dates
Willima Bryson October 14, 1864, Henry Orman September 21, 1866

Records
Agencies and subagencies were created as administrative offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its predecessors. Their purpose was (and is) to manage Indian affairs with the tribes, to enforce policies, and to assist in maintaining the peace. The names and location of these agencies may have changed, but their purpose remained basically the same. Many of the records of genealogical value (for the tribe and tribal members) were created by and maintained by the agencies.

Some historical records of this agency, including correspondence, etc., are part of the records of the California Superintendency records.