DCHP-1 Online

agency

• 1 n. the government agency responsible for the well-being of Indians in a given area, especially those on a reserve; also, the area of jurisdiction of this agency.

  See also: Indian agency (def. 1)  

  • 1958  This agency in Yellowknife is covering an area of many thousands of square miles.
  • 1964  He was a member of the Sakimay Band in the Crooked Lakes Agency and was regarded as a shrewd, wise man, by the rest of the Band

• 2 n. the actual compound, buildings, etc. where the Indian superintendent, or Indian agent, makes his headquarters.

  See also: Indian agency (def. 2)  Indian superintendent  

  • 1881  (1910)  While we were waiting near the Agency for another horse which an Indian had promised to bring in, a minor chief, "Many Spotted Horses," appeared and commenced a violent speech, calling upon the Indians not to give up the horses.
  • 1954  ... they would file into the Agency office with their hats in their hands and sit down to a white man's business meeting.