American Indian Timeline

By Billie Reinbold

  • 1786 First Native American Reservation (created by U.S.)

    The United States created the first reservation for Native Americans. The US did this to create separation between Americans and Native Americans, hoping to keep their sovereignty (Weaver, 2014, p.11).

  • Indian Removal Act 1830

    President Andrew Jackson published the Indian Removal Act. Native American's were forced off their land. Some tribes were willing to move. but others fought back and resisted the move because they wanted to stay on their land, that was promised to them. Many Native American's died or got sick along their journeys, but their land was given to White settlers (pbs.org).

  • 1831 US Supreme Court Case

    Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, U.S. to take temporary protective/guardian stance to Native Americans (with the goal of eventually preparing them to integrate into U.S. society) Also known as assimilation (Weaver, 2014, p.10). Native American's were trying to take a stand against President Jackson trying to force them off their land (pbs.org).

  • 1887 General Allotment Act

    This act was created to give Native Americans allotment of the reservations and then give the open land to non-natives. It is estimated that Native American's lost around 90 million acres of their land (iltf.org).

  • 1924 Indian Citizenship Act

    This act (sometimes referred to as the Snyder Act), was proposed by a representative, Snyder. Officially signed by President Coolidge on June 2, 1924. It granted American Indians full U.S. citizenship.

  • 1934 Indian Reorganization Act

    This act (also known as the 'Indian New Deal')was created to end allotment and finally put in place tribal governments that were able to elect tribal leaders. It also help to create a relationship between the U.S. federal government and the tribal leaders (uaf.edu).

  • 1968 American Indian Movement (AIM)

    The American Indian Movement act was created to ensure and fight for equal rights for the Native American community. It was also put in place to help encourage self-determination among Native Americans.

  • 1978 Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

    The Child Welfare Act was put in place to keep Native American children with Native American families. This was to assure that children would not be taken away and completely loose their Native American home, culture, beliefs, etc. by being taken off their land (Weaver, 2014).