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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Reached the Americas
Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain across the Atlantic thinking he would get to India but instead landed in the Americas. He colonized the area and brought captured Natives back to Spain along with other goods to present to the monarchy. -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
Issued by King George III, it outlined how Native Americans would be treated and their land rights after Britain had gained the land from France as a result of victory in the seven years war. It stated that settlers could not take a Native's land unless it was bought by Great Britain and then sold to the settler. It identified sovereignty for Native peoples. -
The Indian Removal Act
Signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. It was a relocation of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi River so that the federal government could take their land. The tribes that moved were supposed to receive benefits and be under government protection. -
The Trail of Tears
As a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, tribes were forced to move west between 1830 and 1850. Of the over 16,000 people, 4,000 died along the journey to exposure, disease, and starvation. The government did not obey the law in place because they would coerce and threaten tribes who were not willing to leave their homes. -
Opening of Carlisle Indian Industrial School
The Carlisle school was an Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania through 1918. It was created to assimilate Native children into White children. The school would cut their hair, change their clothes, teach them English, change their names, and keep them away from their families. Native children would lose their sense of culture and religion and could not connect with their elders if they returned home. -
The Snyder Act
Granted Native Americans full citizenship. Native Americans did not have to apply for citizenship or have to give up their tribal citizenship. However, some states did not allow Native Americans to vote until 1948. This was all despite the fact that citizenship is to be grated to individuals born inside the United States. -
The Indian Reorganization Act
The goal was to reverse the damages of previous policies and to restore Native land and culture. Granted land and mineral rights to the tribes. Is one of the policies that John Collier worked to implement. He was educated on issues that impacted Native Americans and wanted to help them reestablish their sovereignty. Did not give land back to the tribes that was already given to individuals. -
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
This act allowed for tribes to take over the administration of federal programs. Under this act, Native Americans were able to run their own schools. This way, they could immerse the Native children in their own culture, language, and shared values. It also gave them access to managing their own health care programs. -
American Indian Religious Freedom Act
Protected the right for Native Americans to practice their traditional religion that had been previously not allowed. Under this act, Native Americans could access sacred sites, be compensated for sacred objects that were taken, repossess their sacred objects, and overall be able to worship freely. However, there was difficulty enforcing this act; one way was by not protecting sacred sites. -
Indian Child Welfare Act
Created in an effort to keep Native American children within the tribe if they are removed from their home. It serves to protect the best interests of the child and connects them with their culture rather than having them live with a White family. In order for it to apply, the child must either be a member or be eligible for membership to a federally recognized tribe.
