Matthew Sniffen facts for kids

Matthew K. Sniffen was an American activist who worked to help Native Americans. He was part of the Indian Rights Association and wrote many articles about important issues affecting Native American communities.

A Life Helping Others

In 1908, Matthew Sniffen spoke to the United States Congress. He told them about the difficult living conditions on the Crow Reservation. He also shared concerns about corruption and unfair profits made by the government official, called an Indian Agent, who was in charge there.

Later, in 1911, he spoke at the yearly Lake Mohonk Conference, which was a meeting where people discussed Native American affairs. In 1916, Sniffen wrote a report about the Seminole people in Florida. He highlighted their efforts to get land from the state government.

What He Wrote

Matthew Sniffen wrote several books and reports about Native American issues:

• Florida's Obligation to the Seminole Indians: A Plea for Justice (1883)
• Observations Among the Sioux
• A Man And His Opportunity (1914)
• The Indians of the Yukon and Tanana Valleys, Alaska (1914) with Thomas Spees Carrington
• A Problem Over Here (1919)

Images for kids

• George La Vatta and Matthew K. Sniffen.jpg

  Matthew K. Sniffen (right) with George La Vatta.