🌽History of Native Americans in the Southwest Unit 15 – Red Power and AIM: Native American Activism

Background and Context

• Native American activism in the 1960s and 1970s emerged in response to centuries of oppression, discrimination, and broken treaties by the U.S. government
• The Civil Rights Movement and anti-war protests of the 1960s inspired Native Americans to organize and fight for their rights and sovereignty
• Many Native Americans faced poverty, unemployment, poor health, and substandard living conditions on reservations due to failed federal policies and neglect
• The termination policy of the 1950s aimed to end the special trust relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes, leading to loss of land and resources
• The relocation program encouraged Native Americans to move from reservations to urban areas, often resulting in cultural dislocation and social problems
  • Relocation centers were established in cities like Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago to provide assistance to relocated Native Americans
  • Many relocated Native Americans struggled to find employment and faced discrimination in housing and other areas of life

Key Figures and Organizations

• The American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968 in Minneapolis by Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, and George Mitchell to address issues facing urban Native Americans
  • AIM later expanded its focus to include issues affecting reservation communities and became a national organization
• Russell Means, an Oglala Lakota activist, became a prominent leader and spokesperson for AIM, participating in many high-profile protests and occupations
• Dennis Banks, an Ojibwe activist, co-founded AIM and led the organization in its early years, helping to organize major events like the Trail of Broken Treaties
• The National Indian Youth Council (NIYC), founded in 1961, was an early Native American civil rights organization that influenced the development of AIM
• Women of All Red Nations (WARN) was formed in 1978 to address issues specifically affecting Native American women, such as forced sterilization and domestic violence
• The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) was established in 1974 to advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples at the United Nations and other international forums

Goals and Demands

• Recognition of Native American sovereignty and the right to self-determination
• Enforcement of treaties between Native American tribes and the U.S. government
• Protection of Native American land rights and natural resources from exploitation by government and corporate interests
  • Opposition to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands
  • Demand for the return of sacred sites and culturally significant lands to Native American control
• Improvement of living conditions on reservations, including housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities
• End to discrimination and police brutality against Native Americans in urban areas
• Preservation and revitalization of Native American cultures, languages, and spiritual practices
• Increased representation and participation of Native Americans in decision-making processes affecting their communities

Major Events and Actions

• The Occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) was a 19-month protest where Native American activists took control of the abandoned federal prison, demanding the island be returned to Native American ownership
• The Trail of Broken Treaties (1972) was a cross-country protest march that ended with the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) building in Washington, D.C.
  • Protesters presented a 20-point list of demands to the federal government, including the abolition of the BIA and the restoration of treaty-making authority
• The Wounded Knee Occupation (1973) was a 71-day standoff between AIM activists and federal authorities on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
  • The occupation protested corruption in the tribal government and demanded the removal of the BIA-appointed tribal chairman
  • The standoff ended with the surrender of AIM activists and the deaths of two Native Americans
• The Longest Walk (1978) was a spiritual walk from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. to protest a series of congressional bills that threatened Native American sovereignty and land rights
• The Occupation of Wounded Knee (1973) and the Longest Walk (1978) brought national attention to Native American issues and helped galvanize support for the movement

Strategies and Tactics

• Direct action protests, such as occupations, marches, and demonstrations, to draw attention to Native American issues and demands
• Use of media and public relations to raise awareness and build support for the movement
  • AIM leaders like Russell Means became skilled at using the media to communicate their message and generate public sympathy
• Formation of alliances with other civil rights and progressive organizations to build a broader coalition for social and political change
• Emphasis on cultural pride and the revitalization of Native American traditions as a means of resistance and empowerment
  • The use of traditional dress, ceremonies, and spiritual practices during protests and occupations helped to assert Native American identity and sovereignty
• Legal challenges to government policies and actions that violated Native American rights and treaties
• Lobbying and political activism to influence legislation and policy at the federal, state, and local levels
• International advocacy to gain support from other countries and international organizations for Native American rights and causes

Impact on Federal Policy

• The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) allowed Native American tribes to contract with the federal government to manage their own education, health, and social service programs
• The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) protected the right of Native Americans to practice their traditional religions and access sacred sites
• The Indian Child Welfare Act (1978) gave Native American tribes jurisdiction over child custody cases involving Native American children and established standards for their placement in foster and adoptive homes
  • The act aimed to prevent the removal of Native American children from their families and communities, a practice that had been common in previous decades
• The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) required federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American cultural items and human remains to their respective tribes
• Executive Order 13175 (2000) required federal agencies to consult with Native American tribes when developing policies that affect them and to respect tribal sovereignty
• The Cobell v. Salazar settlement (2009) provided $3.4 billion in compensation for the federal government's mismanagement of Native American trust funds and land resources
  • The settlement also established a $1.9 billion fund for the voluntary buy-back of fractionated land interests to consolidate tribal land holdings

Cultural and Social Significance

• The Red Power movement helped to foster a sense of pride and unity among Native American communities across the country
• The activism of AIM and other organizations brought attention to the unique challenges and struggles faced by Native Americans, both on reservations and in urban areas
• The movement encouraged the preservation and revitalization of Native American cultures, languages, and spiritual practices
  • Many Native American communities established cultural centers, language programs, and other initiatives to promote and maintain their cultural heritage
• The activism of the 1960s and 1970s inspired a new generation of Native American leaders and activists who continue to advocate for the rights and well-being of their communities
• The Red Power movement helped to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Native Americans in mainstream American society
• The movement's emphasis on self-determination and sovereignty has had a lasting impact on the relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government
  • Many tribes have asserted their right to manage their own affairs and resources, leading to increased economic development and cultural revitalization on reservations

Legacy and Ongoing Challenges

• Despite the gains made by the Red Power movement, Native American communities continue to face significant challenges, including poverty, unemployment, poor health outcomes, and environmental threats
• Many Native American tribes are still fighting for the protection of their land rights and natural resources against government and corporate encroachment
  • The Dakota Access Pipeline protests (2016-2017) highlighted the ongoing struggle of Native American communities to defend their land and water from industrial development
• The disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Native American communities has exposed the persistent inequalities and lack of resources in many reservation communities
• Native American women continue to face high rates of violence, sexual assault, and murder, an issue that has gained increased attention in recent years through the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement
• The legacy of boarding schools and forced assimilation policies continues to affect Native American communities, with many individuals and families still grappling with the trauma and loss of cultural identity
• Native American activists and organizations continue to advocate for greater political representation, improved social services, and the protection of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights
  • The first two Native American women, Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk), were elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018, marking a significant milestone in Native American political representation
• The Red Power movement's emphasis on self-determination and cultural pride continues to inspire new generations of Native American activists and leaders who are working to build a more just and equitable future for their communities