🌽History of Native Americans in the Southwest Unit 14 – Native American Struggle for Self-Determination

Key Concepts and Background

• Self-determination the right of Native American tribes to govern themselves, determine their own future, and maintain their cultural identity
• Tribal sovereignty the inherent authority of Native American tribes to govern themselves and their members, manage their own affairs, and control their own resources
• Trust relationship the unique legal and political relationship between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, in which the federal government has a responsibility to protect tribal rights and resources
• Reservation system the practice of confining Native American tribes to designated areas of land, often with limited resources and opportunities
  • Established through treaties, executive orders, and congressional acts
  • Resulted in the displacement and forced relocation of many Native American communities
• Assimilation policies U.S. government efforts to force Native Americans to adopt European-American culture, language, and values, often through coercive means such as boarding schools and allotment programs

Historical Context

• Colonization and westward expansion the process by which European settlers and the U.S. government gradually took control of Native American lands, often through violence, deception, and broken treaties
• Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the President to negotiate with Native American tribes in the Southeast for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River
  • Led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans, known as the Trail of Tears
• Reservation era (late 1800s-early 1900s) a period characterized by the confinement of Native American tribes to designated areas of land, often with limited resources and opportunities
• Allotment era (1887-1934) a period during which the U.S. government divided tribal lands into individual allotments, with the goal of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society
  • Resulted in the loss of millions of acres of tribal land and the erosion of traditional cultural practices
• Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA) marked a shift in U.S. policy towards Native American tribes, aimed at promoting tribal self-government and preserving Native American culture
  • Ended allotment, restored some tribal lands, and encouraged the development of tribal constitutions and governments

Major Events and Turning Points

• Occupation of Alcatraz (1969-1971) a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native American activists, who demanded the return of the island to Native American control and the establishment of a cultural center and university
  • Drew national attention to Native American issues and inspired a wave of Native American activism
• Wounded Knee Incident (1973) a 71-day armed standoff between Native American activists and federal authorities at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
  • Highlighted ongoing tensions between Native American communities and the U.S. government, as well as internal conflicts within Native American communities
• Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 a landmark legislation that recognized the right of Native American tribes to self-government and self-determination
  • Allowed tribes to contract with the federal government to operate their own programs and services, such as healthcare and education
• American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (AIRFA) protected the rights of Native Americans to practice their traditional religions, including access to sacred sites and the use of sacred objects
• Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA) established the framework for the regulation of gaming on Native American lands, allowing tribes to operate casinos and other gaming facilities as a means of economic development

Legal and Political Developments

• Termination era (1953-1968) a period during which the U.S. government sought to end its trust relationship with Native American tribes and assimilate Native Americans into mainstream society
  • Resulted in the termination of over 100 tribes and the relocation of thousands of Native Americans to urban areas
• Self-Determination era (1960s-present) a period characterized by a shift towards policies that recognize and support Native American self-government, cultural preservation, and economic development
• Native American civil rights movement (1960s-1970s) a period of increased activism and advocacy for Native American rights, inspired by the broader civil rights movement
  • Included protests, occupations, and legal challenges to assert Native American sovereignty and address issues such as poverty, discrimination, and cultural preservation
• Tribal self-governance the exercise of tribal sovereignty through the development of tribal governments, laws, and programs
  • Enabled by legislation such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
• Government-to-government relationships the recognition of Native American tribes as sovereign entities with the right to engage in direct negotiations and agreements with the U.S. government
  • Reflected in executive orders, memoranda, and policies that require federal agencies to consult with tribes on matters that affect them

Cultural and Social Impact

• Cultural revitalization efforts by Native American communities to preserve and promote their traditional languages, arts, and cultural practices
  • Includes language immersion programs, cultural centers, and the revival of traditional ceremonies and rituals
• Native American identity the complex and diverse ways in which Native Americans understand and express their cultural heritage and sense of belonging
  • Influenced by factors such as tribal affiliation, language, religion, and relationship to ancestral lands
• Urban Native American communities the growing population of Native Americans living in cities and towns, often as a result of relocation policies and economic pressures
  • Face unique challenges in maintaining cultural connections and accessing services and resources
• Native American education the ongoing efforts to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Native American students, both on reservations and in mainstream schools
  • Includes the development of tribal colleges and universities, as well as culturally responsive curricula and teaching methods
• Health and social issues the disproportionate rates of poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and health problems faced by many Native American communities
  • Rooted in the historical trauma and ongoing effects of colonization, displacement, and discrimination

Resistance and Activism Strategies

• Grassroots organizing the mobilization of Native American communities at the local level to advocate for their rights and address specific issues and concerns
  • Includes the formation of community groups, coalitions, and networks to share resources and coordinate actions
• Legal challenges the use of the court system to assert Native American rights and challenge policies and practices that violate tribal sovereignty or civil rights
  • Includes landmark cases such as United States v. Washington (1974), which affirmed the treaty rights of Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest to fish in their traditional waters
• Political advocacy efforts to influence public policy and legislation at the local, state, and federal levels, through lobbying, public education, and electoral participation
  • Includes the work of organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund
• International advocacy the use of international forums and mechanisms, such as the United Nations, to raise awareness of Native American issues and seek support for Native American rights
  • Includes the participation of Native American leaders in the drafting of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
• Alliance-building the formation of partnerships and coalitions with other indigenous peoples, civil rights organizations, and environmental groups to advance common goals and amplify Native American voices
  • Includes collaborations on issues such as climate change, environmental justice, and human rights

Modern Challenges and Ongoing Issues

• Environmental threats the impact of climate change, resource extraction, and development projects on Native American lands and communities
  • Includes the loss of traditional food sources, the contamination of water and soil, and the destruction of sacred sites
• Economic development the need for sustainable and culturally appropriate economic opportunities in Native American communities, particularly in rural and reservation areas
  • Includes the development of tribal enterprises, such as casinos and renewable energy projects, as well as the promotion of Native American entrepreneurship and small businesses
• Healthcare disparities the persistent gaps in health outcomes and access to quality healthcare services for Native American populations, particularly in remote and underserved areas
  • Includes high rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as mental health and substance abuse issues
• Cultural appropriation the unauthorized use or misrepresentation of Native American cultural elements, such as sacred symbols, traditional designs, and spiritual practices, by non-Native individuals and organizations
  • Includes the commodification of Native American culture in the fashion, entertainment, and tourism industries, as well as the misuse of Native American imagery in sports mascots and logos
• Jurisdictional conflicts the ongoing tensions and disputes between tribal, state, and federal authorities over issues such as law enforcement, taxation, and land use on Native American reservations
  • Includes the challenges of prosecuting crimes committed by non-Natives on tribal lands, as well as the limitations on tribal authority imposed by federal law and court decisions

Legacy and Future Outlook

• Resilience and persistence the enduring strength and determination of Native American communities in the face of historical and ongoing challenges
  • Reflected in the survival and revival of Native American languages, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge systems
• Intergenerational trauma the lasting impact of historical traumas, such as forced relocation and boarding school experiences, on the mental health and well-being of Native American individuals and families
  • Addressed through culturally responsive healing practices, such as talking circles and traditional ceremonies, as well as Western therapeutic approaches
• Tribal governance innovations the development of new models and strategies for tribal self-government and self-determination, adapted to the changing needs and aspirations of Native American communities
  • Includes the adoption of new technologies, such as renewable energy and broadband internet, to support economic development and community well-being
• Collaborative resource management the increasing recognition of the value of traditional ecological knowledge and the importance of involving Native American communities in the management of natural resources on their ancestral lands
  • Includes co-management agreements between tribes and federal agencies, such as the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as the incorporation of traditional land management practices, such as controlled burning and sustainable harvesting
• Continued advocacy and activism the ongoing need for Native American communities and their allies to advocate for their rights, address persistent inequities, and shape the policies and decisions that affect their lives and futures
  • Includes the importance of nurturing new generations of Native American leaders, scholars, and activists to carry forward the struggle for self-determination and cultural survival