Programs under the Indian Reorganization Act were extended to Oklahoma via
a separate statute in 1936.  Created under the act by Congress, but
independent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was the Indian Arts and
Crafts Board.  The board not only encourage d traditional Indian crafts
production but also established markets, museums, and shops to acquaint
the public with the beauty and quality of Indian crafts.  Shown here is a
Choctaw class in spinning and weaving at the Wheelock Academy in Oklahoma
in 1937 .  Although these were not traditionally Choctaw crafts, new skill
that were perceived as marketable were taught to all tribes under the
program.