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The Dawes Act
Abolished the Native American tribal unit and aimed for assimilation in attempt to distroy indigenous culture. -
The Wheeler-Howard Act
Recognizing the ineffectiveness of the Dawes Act, the Wheeler-Howard Act was sanctioned by BIA Commissioner and Native American advocate to restore and preserve indigenous culture. -
National Council of American Indians (NCAI)
The NCAI focused on reservations and tribal issues, voting rights, and aimed to end forced termination. The NCAI also proposed an assistance programme with the goal of economic self-sufficiency and tribal self-determination. They were established in 1944, making significant progress in later movements. -
The Termination Acts
Essentially the return to assimilation with threat of the Cold War. Native Americans were encouraged to leave their reserves and urbanize and the acts ignored individual needs. -
Washington State Fish-Ins
Fish-ins began in 1964 to protest state policy restricting treaty rights that guaranteed the unrestricted use of natural resources. Poverty was high among indigenous people in the area, so fishing constituted a significant portion of their diet. Native Americans who fished off reservation land were arrested. After a decade of protests that included violent reprisals by white vigilantes,Federal District Judge George Hugo Boldt decided in favour of tribal fishing rights. -
The American Indian Movement (AIM)
The American Indian Movement began in Minnesota in 1968 and was founded by Ojibwas Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt and George Mitchell to openly confront the injustices faced by American Indians. They were active in the Civil Rights movement for Indigenous people. -
Occupation of Alcatraz Island
This was the first act of indigenous activism where a group called the Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz Island. They claimed Alcatraz by right of discovery and promised white inhabitants a portion of the land for their own use to teach them Indian religion and traditions. Population grew beyond 200, however, the poor living conditions took a toll on morale and participation. The occupation ended on June 11 with law enforcement arresting the remaining 15 occupants. -
Occupation of Mount. Rushmore
AIM occupied Mount Rushmore to protest employment discrimination. A large banner made of sheets reading “Sioux Indian Power” hung from George Washington’s head. From that point on, “Red Power” had spread from its West Coast Origins. -
The Trail of Broken Treaties
The Trail of Broken Treaties was an attempt to make a larger statement, where more than 500 Indigenous people travelled from the West Coast to Washington DC presenting 20 demands + the abolition of the BIA. Officials refused to meet with AIM and as a response, they occupied the main auditorium of the BIA, arming themselves with chair legs→The Nixon White House negotiated with AIM and on November 8, reached a settlement + provided $66,000 for transport back to their homes. -
Killing of Wesley Bad Heart Bull
A demonstration in South Dakota was held to protest at the lack of a murder charge for the killing of Wesley Bad Heart Bull which quickly turned violent. Fire-fighters were hit with bottles and rocks.Twenty-five people were eventually charged with felonious rioting and other crimes. -
71 Day occupation of Wounded Knee, SD
The last/most famous AIM action → Dick Wilson, chairman of Oglala Lakota was accused of violence against opponents among other things. After an attempt by Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization (OSCRO) to impeach Wilson failed, OSCRO requested AIMs help. They occupied Wounded Knee with 200-300 members against heavily armed federal law enforcement. Shootings occurred almost daily during the siege, resulting in the deaths of two AIM members and a US marshal paralyzed.
