8.2 Native American activism and the Red Power Movement

The Red Power Movement emerged in the 1960s as Native Americans fought for civil rights and tribal sovereignty. In New Mexico, activists focused on land rights, sacred site protection, and combating environmental issues like uranium mining. Their efforts challenged government policies and sought to preserve Indigenous cultures.

The movement's impact led to increased recognition of tribal sovereignty and passage of key legislation. However, challenges persist. In New Mexico, activists continue to address issues like land disputes, environmental justice, and cultural preservation, building on the legacy of the Red Power era.

Red Power Movement in New Mexico

Goals and Tactics of the Movement

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• Asserted Native American civil rights, promoted tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and challenged U.S. government policies towards Native Americans
• Sought to regain control of tribal lands, preserve Native cultures and traditions, improve education and healthcare in Native communities, and combat discrimination and marginalization
• Utilized protests, occupations, and legal challenges to assert treaty rights and demand recognition of tribal sovereignty
  • Examples: Occupations of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and Wounded Knee (1973)
• Employed media and public awareness campaigns to garner support for the movement
• In New Mexico, focused on issues such as land rights, water rights, and the protection of sacred sites
  • Example: Fought against forced relocation and assimilation policies

New Mexico-Specific Issues and Activism

• Activists in New Mexico fought for the return of ancestral lands and the protection of sacred sites from development and resource extraction
  • Example: Disputes over land rights in the Grants Mineral Belt region
• Challenged the environmental and health impacts of uranium mining and nuclear testing on Native communities
  • Example: Activism against uranium mining in the Grants Mineral Belt region
• Demanded improved education and healthcare services in Native communities across the state
• Sought to preserve and revitalize Native cultures and traditions in New Mexico
  • Example: Efforts to maintain Indigenous languages and cultural practices

Impact of Native American Activism

Increased Recognition of Tribal Sovereignty

• Led to increased recognition of tribal sovereignty and the right of Native American tribes to govern themselves and manage their own affairs
• Pressured the U.S. government to pass legislation such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975
  • Gave tribes greater control over federal programs and services
• Contributed to the growth of tribal governments and the development of Native-led organizations and institutions
  • Example: Creation of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944

Ongoing Challenges to Tribal Sovereignty

• Despite gains, many challenges to tribal sovereignty persist
  • Ongoing disputes over land and resource rights
  • Limitations on tribal jurisdiction
  • Legacy of colonial policies and structures
• Activists continue to fight for full recognition of tribal sovereignty and self-determination
  • Example: Efforts to strengthen the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to protect Native children and families

Key Events in the Red Power Movement

Occupation of Alcatraz (1969-1971)

• Pivotal event that brought national attention to the Red Power Movement and its demands
• Activists claimed the island under the terms of an 1868 treaty that allowed Native Americans to reclaim unused federal land
  • Demanded the creation of a Native American cultural center and university
• Occupation ended with the removal of activists by federal authorities
• Inspired similar protests and occupations across the country
  • Examples: Occupations at Plymouth Rock and Mount Rushmore

Impact of the Alcatraz Occupation

• Led to the creation of new organizations, such as the American Indian Movement (AIM)
  • AIM became a leading force in the Red Power Movement
• Increased public awareness of Native American issues and the Red Power Movement
• Demonstrated the power of direct action and civil disobedience in advancing Native rights
• Inspired a new generation of Native activists and leaders
  • Example: John Trudell, who went on to become a prominent activist and spokesperson for Native rights

Red Power Movement and Environmental Issues

Intersection with Environmental Justice

• Native American activists often framed their struggles in terms of environmental justice and the protection of sacred lands and natural resources
• Movement intersected with broader environmental concerns
  • Opposition to mining, logging, and dam construction on tribal lands
  • Fight against pollution and environmental degradation
• In New Mexico, Red Power Movement was closely tied to struggles over land rights and environmental protection
  • Example: Disputes over the return of ancestral lands and the protection of sacred sites from development and resource extraction

Uranium Mining and Nuclear Testing

• Activists challenged the environmental and health impacts of uranium mining and nuclear testing on Native communities
  • Particularly in the Grants Mineral Belt region of New Mexico
• Uranium mining led to widespread contamination of land, water, and air in Native communities
  • Example: Church Rock uranium mill spill in 1979, which released over 1,000 tons of radioactive waste into the Puerco River
• Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site also had devastating impacts on Native communities in New Mexico and across the Southwest
  • Example: Downwind communities exposed to radioactive fallout from nuclear tests

Growth of Indigenous Environmental Movement

• Intersection of Red Power and environmental activism led to the growth of the Indigenous Environmental Network and other organizations
  • Continue to fight for Native rights and environmental justice
• Native activists have been at the forefront of movements to protect water, land, and sacred sites
  • Examples: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, Apache Stronghold's efforts to protect Oak Flat in Arizona