Who were some of the first advocates of Native Americans and how did they help?

Thomas L. McKenney helped to start the Bureau of Indian Affairs which acted as a form of government for Native Americans.  It provided basic necessities of life for them and organization to their daily lives and politics.  The BIA, led by McKenney, provided a political and human voice for the Native Americans when they didn't have one.  They were discriminated against and did not have much power, but the BIA gave them power and led them to equality.  Before the BIA, Native Americans were oppressed.  Their land was taken away, they barely had any political power, and they were not treated as the first people of America.  They had trouble resisting the opposing forces but the BIA helped them do this, making them a stronger, more independent people.  The BIA didn't do everything for them so they became dependent on them.  The BIA was successful for the most part, although it ended abruptly because the role and source of its power changed.  It was no longer based on the ideas and beliefs of McKenney and did not help the Native Americans as much.