Timeline Project

By leximeyer

  • The Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790

    Prior to this Act, states had the power to make treaties and agreements with Tribes. This act gave the power to the Federal Government in regards to forming trading and land agreements with Tribes. https://historyscoop.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/indian_history-timeline.pdf

  • Indian Removal Act of 1830

    Signed into law by president Andrew Jackson, this Act led to the systemic displacement of Native populations to eastern lands, opening their homelands to colonizers.

  • Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

    Chief Justice Marshall stated that: "Indian tribes were merely ‘domestic dependent nations’ existing ‘in a state of pupilage." This paternalistic perspective of American Indians implies that the US government is their for their protection. Weaver, Hilary N, Professor. Social Issues in Contemporary Native America: Reflections from Turtle Island (p. 9). Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Kindle Edition.

  • Carlisle Indian School Opens

    This marks the beginning of the boarding school era, from roughly 1879-1918. In attempt to "save the man, kill the Indian", Native children would be taken from their homes and sent to boarding schools where they would learn white-Christian values. Along with stripping Native children of their culture, these federally funded boarding schools were grossly under health codes.

  • The Dawes Act of 1887

    The Dawes Act of 1887 allowed land in Native American hands to shrink "from 134 million acres in 1887 to 48 million half a century later". This initiated the assimilation of White-Christian "mainstream" values on Native People via stripping them of their land and culture via boarding schools. Weaver, Hilary N, Professor. Social Issues in Contemporary Native America: Reflections from Turtle Island (p. 12). Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Kindle Edition.

  • The Meriam Report

    This report "documented great disparities in health, education, nutrition, and economic opportunities for Native Americans (Wall 2010)." and served as a catalyst of change at the end of the boarding school era. Weaver, Hilary N, Professor. Social Issues in Contemporary Native America: Reflections from Turtle Island (p. 13). Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Kindle Edition.

  • The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

    Often refereed to as the "Indian New Deal", this Act "provided a direct reversal of previous policies and promoted the retention of land and cultural distinctiveness." This Act sought to promote Native self-government. It acknowledges the authority Natives have as sovereign governments. Weaver, Hilary N, Professor. Social Issues in Contemporary Native America: Reflections from Turtle Island (p. 10). Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Kindle Edition.

  • Indian Child Welfare Act

    Otherwise known as ICWA, this Act allows for reparation to be made in regard to the injustices and violations of human rights Native People have faced from the Federal government. "The intent of the policy is to promote stability and security of Native family life, shifting the balance of power away from states so tribal communities can regulate their own child welfare issues" (Weaver, 2014, p.15).