Indian Reorganization Act

Definition

The Indian Reorganization Act, also known as the Wheeler-Howard Act, was enacted in 1934 to reverse the assimilation policies of the Dawes Act and restore some degree of self-governance to Native American tribes. This legislation aimed to encourage tribal sovereignty and preserve tribal culture by allowing tribes to establish their own governments and manage their own affairs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Indian Reorganization Act was part of a broader New Deal effort to address economic hardships faced by Native Americans during the Great Depression.
2. This act encouraged tribes to adopt constitutions and provided federal funding for the establishment of tribal governments.
3. The Indian Reorganization Act allowed tribes to regain some lost lands through the creation of a land trust, helping to combat the effects of land allotment policies.
4. The act represented a shift from federal policies focused on assimilation towards those that recognized and supported tribal sovereignty.
5. Despite its positive intentions, the act faced criticism for imposing a one-size-fits-all approach to tribal governance and did not fully accommodate the diverse needs of different tribes.

Review Questions

• How did the Indian Reorganization Act aim to change the previous policies impacting Native American tribes, particularly in relation to the Dawes Act?
  • The Indian Reorganization Act sought to undo the harmful effects of the Dawes Act by promoting tribal sovereignty and self-governance rather than assimilation. While the Dawes Act had aimed to break up tribal lands into individual plots, leading to significant loss of Native lands, the Indian Reorganization Act encouraged tribes to reclaim their rights, establish their own governments, and preserve their cultural identity. This marked a significant shift in federal policy towards recognizing the importance of tribal governance.
• Evaluate the impact of the Indian Reorganization Act on the development of tribal constitutions and governance structures.
  • The Indian Reorganization Act significantly impacted tribal governance by encouraging tribes to create their own constitutions, which outlined their specific structures and governing processes. This was important because it allowed tribes to establish laws and governance mechanisms that reflected their unique cultures and needs rather than being dictated by external authorities. However, while this act promoted self-governance, it also imposed certain requirements that not all tribes were equipped or willing to adopt.
• Analyze how the Indian Reorganization Act fits into the broader context of federal Indian policy shifts during the 20th century and its implications for tribal self-determination.
  • The Indian Reorganization Act was a pivotal moment in the 20th-century evolution of federal Indian policy, transitioning from assimilationist approaches towards support for tribal self-determination. By recognizing tribal sovereignty and encouraging self-governance, it laid foundational principles that would later support movements for greater autonomy in subsequent decades. However, despite its progressiveness, challenges remained in implementing its provisions effectively across different tribes, with many continuing to struggle for full recognition of their rights and self-determination well into later years.

Related terms

Dawes Act: A law passed in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual plots of land to families, which ultimately resulted in significant loss of tribal land.

Sovereignty: The inherent authority of tribes to govern themselves and make decisions regarding their internal affairs without external interference.

Tribal Constitution: A governing document established by a tribe that outlines its structure, functions, and regulations for self-governance.