Henry L. Dawes' wanted to increase the cultural assimilation of Native Americans into American society by his Dawes Act (1887) and his later efforts as head of the Dawes Commission. During the 47 years of implementing the Act, Native Americans lost about 90 million acres (360,000 km²) of treaty land, or about two-thirds of their 1887 land base.
Henry L. Dawes' objective was to foster cultural unity between Native Americans and American society through his Dawes Act (1887) and subsequent efforts as head of the Dawes Commission. Over a span of 47 years, the Act resulted in the loss of approximately 90 million acres (360,000 km²) of treaty land, which comprised roughly two-thirds of their initial 1887 land holdings.