🌽Native American Studies Unit 11 – Native American Civil Rights Movements

Historical Context

• Native American civil rights movements emerged in response to centuries of oppression, discrimination, and broken treaties by the U.S. government
• Early activism focused on preserving tribal sovereignty and protecting Native American land rights (late 19th and early 20th centuries)
• The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans, but many states continued to deny them voting rights
  • Some states required Native Americans to prove they were "civilized" or had abandoned their tribal ties to vote
• The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 aimed to restore tribal sovereignty and encourage self-governance
  • Reversed the Dawes Act of 1887, which had broken up tribal lands into individual allotments
• The Termination Era (1953-1968) saw the U.S. government attempt to end its trust responsibilities to Native American tribes
  • Over 100 tribes were terminated, leading to loss of land and cultural identity
• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s inspired Native American activists to fight for their rights and cultural preservation

Key Figures and Leaders

• Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux) was a prominent scholar and activist who advocated for Native American rights and self-determination
  • Authored influential books such as "Custer Died for Your Sins" (1969) and "God Is Red" (1973)
• Dennis Banks (Ojibwa) co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 to address issues of poverty, discrimination, and police brutality
• Russell Means (Oglala Lakota) was a prominent AIM leader and activist involved in the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973
• Wilma Mankiller (Cherokee) became the first woman to be elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985
  • Focused on improving education, healthcare, and economic development for her tribe
• Ada Deer (Menominee) was a key figure in the restoration of the Menominee tribe after termination and served as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs (1993-1997)
• LaDonna Harris (Comanche) founded Americans for Indian Opportunity in 1970 to promote Indigenous leadership and self-determination

Major Movements and Organizations

• The American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968 to address issues of poverty, discrimination, and police brutality faced by Native Americans
  • Organized high-profile protests and occupations, such as the occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and the occupation of Wounded Knee (1973)
• The National Indian Youth Council (NIYC), formed in 1961, focused on promoting Native American education, cultural preservation, and political activism
• The Native American Rights Fund (NARF), established in 1970, provides legal assistance to tribes and individuals to protect their rights and resources
• The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), founded in 1974, works to promote the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide
  • Played a key role in the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), formed in 1990, addresses environmental justice issues affecting Native American communities
  • Involved in campaigns against pipeline projects, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

Legal Battles and Legislation

• The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 extended many of the protections of the Bill of Rights to Native Americans living on reservations
  • Ensured due process, equal protection, and freedom of speech and religion
• The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 allowed tribes to contract with the federal government to manage their own programs and services
• The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 protected the right of Native Americans to practice their traditional religions and access sacred sites
• The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 aimed to keep Native American children with their families and tribes when possible in child custody cases
• The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 required federal agencies and institutions receiving federal funds to return Native American cultural items and human remains to their respective tribes
• The Cobell v. Salazar class-action lawsuit, settled in 2009, addressed the mismanagement of Native American trust funds by the U.S. government
  • Resulted in a $3.4 billion settlement for Native American beneficiaries

Cultural Preservation Efforts

• The Native American Languages Act of 1990 recognized the importance of preserving and promoting Indigenous languages
  • Provided funding for language immersion programs and curriculum development
• The Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 expanded support for Native American language immersion programs
• Tribal colleges and universities, such as Diné College (Navajo Nation) and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), play a crucial role in preserving and teaching Native American languages, arts, and cultures
• Cultural centers and museums, like the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C., showcase Native American history, art, and contemporary issues
• Many tribes have established cultural preservation offices to protect and promote their cultural heritage
  • These offices often focus on language revitalization, traditional knowledge, and historic preservation
• Pow wows, cultural festivals, and art markets provide opportunities for Native American artists and communities to celebrate and share their cultures with the public

Modern Challenges and Ongoing Issues

• Native American communities continue to face disproportionately high rates of poverty, unemployment, and health disparities compared to the general U.S. population
  • Poverty rates on reservations are more than double the national average
• Limited access to quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure on many reservations perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality
• Environmental issues, such as pollution, resource extraction, and climate change, disproportionately impact Native American communities
  • Many tribes are fighting to protect their land, water, and sacred sites from development projects
• The epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) has gained increased attention in recent years
  • Native American women face higher rates of violence and sexual assault than any other demographic in the U.S.
• Ongoing struggles for tribal sovereignty and self-determination, particularly in the face of federal and state government encroachment on tribal rights and resources
• The need for improved consultation and collaboration between Native American tribes and federal, state, and local governments on issues affecting their communities

Impact on American Society

• Native American civil rights movements have raised awareness about the historical injustices and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the U.S.
• The increased visibility of Native American cultures, arts, and perspectives has enriched American society and challenged stereotypes and misconceptions
• Native American activism has inspired other marginalized groups to fight for their rights and advocate for social justice
• The recognition of tribal sovereignty and the importance of government-to-government relationships between tribes and the U.S. government has evolved, though challenges remain
• Native American scholars, artists, and leaders have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, art, science, and politics
  • Examples include author Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), artist Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), and astronaut John Herrington (Chickasaw)
• The incorporation of Native American perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge has influenced environmental conservation and sustainability efforts in the U.S.

Contemporary Native American Activism

• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in 2016-2017 garnered international attention and support
  • Protesters, known as "water protectors," opposed the pipeline's construction near the tribe's reservation due to concerns about water contamination and sacred sites
• The Land Back movement seeks to restore Native American control over their ancestral lands and resources
  • Initiatives include land transfers, co-management agreements, and the establishment of tribal parks and protected areas
• Native American activists are working to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) through advocacy, legislation, and community-based initiatives
  • The Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act, both signed into law in 2020, aim to improve the response to MMIW cases and increase coordination between law enforcement agencies
• Indigenous-led climate justice movements, such as the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), are fighting to protect Native American communities from the disproportionate impacts of climate change
• Native American youth activism has grown in recent years, with young leaders advocating for issues such as cultural preservation, mental health, and social justice
  • Organizations like the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) and the Native Youth Leadership Alliance (NYLA) support and empower young Native American activists
• Contemporary Native American artists, musicians, and filmmakers are using their platforms to raise awareness about Indigenous issues and challenge mainstream narratives
  • Examples include visual artist Wendy Red Star (Apsáalooke), rapper Supaman (Apsáalooke), and filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek)