AIM 2

By jdmhistory
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    American Indian Movement

  • House Resolution 108 Passed

    House Resolution 108 was passed, making it official US policy to abolish government supervision of American Indians, and to make them full citizens of the US. In practice, HR 108 began a US policy of termination, where many tribes lost federal recognitizion and were relocated to urban areas, often with promises of government assitance that never materialized. The resolution's passing played a large role in setting the groundwork for Red-power movements such as AIM.

  • National Indian Youth Council Formed

  • Occupation of Alcatraz Island

    The Island is occupied by five Sioux Indians who claim they have a right to take unused federal lands.

  • American Indian Movement Founded

    Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • Second Alcatraz Island Occupation Begins

    Fourteen Native American activists occupy Alcatraz Island for the second time, calling themsevles "Indians of All Tribes." Protesters eventually number in the hundreds. Dennis Banks remains on the island for two weeks.

  • Third Occupation of Alcatraz Island Begins

    On November 20th, 1969, a group of 79 American Indians begin another Occupation of Alcatraz Island, which would last until July of 1970. Although the protestors were not directly involved with AIM, the event (which garnered national press attention) is a major historical moment in the Red-power movement history as a whole, given the scale of the event.

  • Attempted Occupation of Fort Lawton

    Native Americans attempt to occupy the idle army base. Leonard Peltier is among the activists.

  • Daybreak Star Cultural Center Formed

    The land of of Fort Lawtn is given to Native Americans and they form the Cultural Center

  • Occupation of Mount Rushmore

    Fift AIM and Lakota activists, includig Russell Means occupy Mount Rusmoe to seek the return of 123,000 acres taken from the Pine Ridge Reservaton during World War II

  • Military Facility Occupation of Davis, California

    Indian activists occupy a 647 acre site. The land is eventually given to the Board of Trustees of Deganawida-Quetzacoatl University.

  • Mayflower II Occupation

    AIM, along with Means and Banks occupy the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Massachusettes. They proclaim Thansgiving to be a national day of mourning.

  • Second Mount Rushmore Occupation

    AIM and Lakota activists occupy Mount Rushmore, claiming the Black Hills based on the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. Twenty are arrested.

  • End of Alcatraz Island Occupation

    The remaining protestors are escorted off the island, ending the nineteen month occupation.

  • Seizure of Coast Guard Station at Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    An abandoned life guard station at McKinley Beach is seized by AIM activists

  • Attempted Citizen's Arrest of John O. Crow, Deputy Commissioner of Indian Affairs

    AIM and National Indian Youth Council members attempt to arrest John O. Crowe, the Deputy Commisioner of Indian Affairs. All participating members are arrested.

  • First AIM Natinal Convention

    AIM holds its first natinal convention with one hundred delegates representing eighteen chapters. The conference is held in Owendigo, Minnesota.

  • Raymond Yellow Thunder Abduction

    Four white men and a white woman abduct Raymond Yellow Thunder, a Lakota man, and proceed to beat him. He later dies from the beating. Four are charged with manslaughter and two with false imprisonment.

  • Protests in Honor of Yellow Thunder

    AIM organized demonstrations are held at Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Winnebago Reservations for three days to protest the death of Yellow Thunder.

  • Trail of Broken Treaties

    Native Americans begin to arrive in Washington D.C. as part of their march on Washington. The march was planned by AIM and Robert Burnette, the former chariman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Without a place to stay, the protestors congregate at the Bureau of Indian Affairs building, but are soon evicted by the police. A six day occupation ensues and media coverage overlooks the list of Twenty Points.

  • Oglala Sioux CIvil RIghts Organization Formed

    Formed by Gladys Bissonette, Ellen Camp and Lou Bean in opposition to the existing tribal president, Richard Wilson.

  • Arrest of Russell Means and Edgar Bear Runner

    The leader and supporter are arrested following an activist meeting and party.

  • Death of Wesley Bad Heart Bull

    Bad Heart Bull is stabbed to death by a white man, Darld Schmitz. Schmitz is charged with involuntary manslaughter and released on bail.

  • Altercation at Custer County Courthouse

    Lakota and AIM members go to the courthouse to protest Schmitt's sentence. An altercation occurs involving Banks, Means, Indian protestors and the police. The Chamber of Commerce building and several cars are lit on fire. All protestors are arrested.

  • Occupaton of Wounded Knee

    AIM members lead two hundred Lakota tribesmen to Wounded Knee in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge reservation, the sight of an 1890 massacre. The protestors intend to draw attentin to the corrupt tribal administration and Indian Reorganization Act. They are surrounded by federal martials, the FBI, BIA police and auxilary police forces. The occupation and seige last seventy one days. Two federal officials are hurt. One hundred and eighty five indictments are given but eventually dropped.

  • Sacheen Littlefeather at the Academy Awards

    Sacheen Littlefeather accepts Marlon Brando's award for Best Actor. Brando explains his actions are due to "the treatment of Indians by the film industry, in television, in movie reruns, and the recent happenings in Wounded Knee, South Dakota."

  • Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

    The act is signed, giving Native Americans greater autonomy in managing education and social service programs.

  • FBI-AIM Shootout

    Two FBI agents are killed in a shootout with AIM member Leonard Peltier, who is later captured and sentenced to two life sentences.