Fabulous 1900's - 1910's Mission Indian Federation Police Badge #33 by San Diego Maker F.W. Lane

ARTIFACT:

What we have here is just a fabulous, and Extremely Rare, Mission Indian Federation Police Badge, #33, made by San Diego Stamp & Seal manufacturer, F. W. Lane.

 Founded in the 1900's (there is Photographic Evidence of a 1908 Conference of the Organization at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California), The Mission Indian Federation (MIF) was a political organization established by California Indians to fight for Indian rights and freedom from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The MIF was not the first Indian rights group in the United States, but it was the first group whose members were primarily from Southern California tribes. Membership included people from both recognized and non-recognized groups, including the Luiseno, Cahuilla, Serrano, Cupeno, Kumeyaay, Tongva, and Acjachemen, as well as some Native groups from as far east as Kentucky. 

The Federation's motto, "Human Rights and Home Rule" was the core of their fight for civil rights and Indian autonomy on the reservations. At the time of the formation of the organization, Native Americans were not citizens of the United States. MIF members argued that it was unjust for native-born Americans to be denied U.S. citizenship rights when immigrants could become citizens after just a few years in this country.  They believed that Indians would never be treated as full citizens as long as the BIA was allowed to oppress and exploit Native people. Specifically, the MIF called for the dissolution of the BIA and its associated subsidiaries, the right for tribes to own their reservation lands, and the right to self-determination enjoyed by all American citizens. 

MIF members asserted their traditional rights to appoint their own political representatives as well as to arrest, try, and sentence offenders on reservation lands, which directly challenged federal authority.  As part of this goal, members elected an all-Indian Executive Council. A chief of police, captains, judges, and deputies were also elected for each reservation. This badge is the from that self-governing action of the organization. 

Although there were at least as many as 33 of these badges in existence at one time, of the few examples I have seen that still exist, this appears to be among the earliest type, using the early Stars logo of the organization, that were actually made in California. And of the 5 I know of, of this type, This is the only one in private hands, the other 4 being in the National Archives in Riverside California. 

A possibly unique addition to a native American Law Enforcement Badge Collection. 

VINTAGE: 1900's - 1910's.

SIZE: Approximately 2-5/8" in height x 2-1/4" in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Nickel-plated brass with painted lettering.

ATTACHMENT: Vertical safety-style pin.

MARKINGS: F. W. LANE

ITEM NOTES: This is from a police and law enforcement collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MHBHM23 LCEGEX02/17/23 SCEGEX02/21/23

CONDITION: 7+ (Very Fine+): The badge shows minor to moderate wear, with duty worn nice patina.