This collection is a subgroup (Office) of the Montana Office of the Governor records. The Montana Office of Indian Affairs (formerly named Office of the State Coordinator of Indian Affairs) is administered through the Governor's Office. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Office of the Governor records.

The collection has been divided into six series. The general correspondence series (1951-1971) discusses education, tribal industries, housing, legislation, statistics, personal problems of tribal members, meeting, donations to the tribes, etc. Information about numerous subjects for which a subject file was established is also found in the general correspondence series. The financial records series (1965-1970) contains information about the budget of the Coordinator. The organizational materials series (undated) includes a description of the Coordinator's goals and duties and a criticism of a proposed state Indian commission. The subject files series (1948-1971, undated) comprises the bulk of the collection and includes information on all the reservations and many Indian organizations and programs. Information on specific subjects can often be found in the subject files on affected tribes as well as in the file with the subject heading. For instance, information concerning Indian housing is found both in the subject file with that title as well as in the subject files on specific tribes. The miscellany series (1951-1970, undated) contains a variety of writings, news releases, lists, proceedings of conferences of concern to Indians, etc. The clippings series (1930, 1954-1967) includes clippings on a variety of subjects. Printed material has been transferred to the Library. Notable persons who appear throughout the collection include Ed Belgard (Landless Indians), Freda Beazley (Fort Peck), Steve DeMers (Flathead), Walter McDonald (Flathead), Earl Old Person (Blackfeet), Sister Providencia, Walter Wetzel (Blackfeet), John Wooden Legs (Northern Cheyenne), and Robert Yellowtail (Crow).