Native American Rights
Long history of discrimination Life expectancy was 20 years lower Unemployment rate was 10 times higher Suicide rates were 100 times higher
2 conditions helped make Indian Rights a Priority 1. Civil Rights Movement 2. The plight of the Native American minority was greater than any other
AIM Formed in 1968 Helped Indians living in urban areas, and on reservations. Addressed all Civil Rights Issues, securing land, legal rights, and self government
Bury My Heart of Wounded Knee 1970 Expresses the American Indian perspective of the injustices and betrayals of the US government
Alcatraz Island 1969-1971 November 20th 1969- June 11th 1971 “Indians of all Tribes” claimed the Island as their own
The Long March 1972 From San Francisco to Washington D.C. Took over the Bureau of Indian Affairs and renamed it the Native American Embassy Wanted the government to raise the quality of living on reservations
Wounded Knee 1973 February 27th-May 5th 200 Sioux Indians took over the town Refused to leave until the government promised to examine conditions on the reservations
Legal Action Went to court with copies of old treaties A treaty with George Washington “The United States acknowledges all the land within the aforementioned boundaries to be property of the Senaca Nation”
Indian Self Determination Act 1975 Gave Native people control over the resources that were on their reservations Allowed Natives to form their own school systems on reservations