The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is profiled from its inception in 1834 to 1980. Beginning with the trust relationship between tribes and the U.S. government, particularly as relates to natural resources, various ways in which reservation economies have developed are discussed. Tribal governments' new authority and renewed ambitions for self-rule are covered as is tribal efforts at determining who is an Indian. The BIA's role in defusing tribal tensions and untangling jurisdictions is described as well as its programs for improving tribal administrative abilities. In terms of improving life for the individual, tribes and the BIA are making efforts to protect life-ways, get children off to a good start, provide education for all ages, encourage tribally run schools, furnish special social services, promote child welfare assistance programs on reservations, offer counseling and guidance for social problems, and recognize that the greatest resource of all is the Indian people. The 12 BIA area offices are featured (Phoenix, Sacramento, Muskogee, Albuquerque, Aberdeen, Navajo, Anadarko, Billings, Portland, Juneau, Minneapolis, and Eastern) with highlights of activities, successes, and problems for each area. Listings of the BIA FY 1980 budget, Commissioners of Indian Affairs from 1824-1980, and lands under BIA jurisdiction as of September 30, 1979, complete the document. (BRR)