The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau pg.155-156

Blackfeet Tribal Business Council Chairman John Sharp wrote the Hon. James F. O’Connor, of the Indian Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives “In view of this situation, we Blackfeet Indians feel that our lands would remain in trust indefinitely.” Chairman Sharp reported that about one third of the Indians have become landless under these corrupt practices of the Indian Bureau and white men representing oil companies.

He wrote “Prior to the Wheeler-Howard Act patents in fee were issued to Indians as early as the year 1918, in many cases the Indian not knowing of the issuance of the patent in fee of his allotment. Some refused to accept the patent knowing they would be unable to pay the taxes assessed against the land. They were advised that they must accept the patent in fee from the office of the Indian agent and whether or not the land would be assessed and taxed, the taxes must be paid. This procedure was promoted by white Indian traders who were trying to get old accounts paid, and also to put the Indian landless. Under these conditions many Indians, both full and mixed bloods, lost their lands through taxes, loans, mortgages, and transfer sales, not knowing the value of their lands so eagerly sought by the avaricious white post trader, white men, real-estate sharks, and professional traders flocked upon the Indian reservation making land deals by way of a small loan, by the Indians mortgaging their lands and in due time were foreclosed of their interests, receiving as low as $250 for 320 acres of land.
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau  
pg.155-156