Reformer John Collier (1884-1968) created the American Indian Defense
Association in 1923 to fight the assimilationist policies of the Dawes
Severalty Act of 1887.  Collier valued the Indian spirit of community
commitment over individual gain, and fought wholeheartedly to preserve
their way of life.  As leader of the Defense Association until 1933, he
save Native American titles to remaining reservations, lifted restrictions
on their religious rituals, and prepared the 1934 Indian Reorganization
Act.  Serving as Indian commissioner from 1933 to 1945, he continued his
efforts to save Indian culture and tribal self-government and to increase
their land provisions.