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NATIVE AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS - Coggle Diagram
NATIVE AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS
Reasons for campaigns
About half of Native Americans lived poverty-stricken lives on tribal reservations, with poor housing, education, and unemployment problems.
Native Americans inspired by black activism:
NCAI (national congress American Indians) modelled on NAACP.
Black power movement inspired a red power movement - organisations such as the American Indian Movement (AIM).
Tribal homelands:
Native Americans driven from their homelands. The fed govt made treaties with tribes, giving land and money for their removal.
Many thought the treaties were unfair.
NA either wanted new treaties, or to return to their homelands.
Self-determination:
Tribes independent nations under fed govt.
Over the years, the BIA implemented measures to break up NA culture and damage tribal cohesion.
E.g. they sent NA to schools where they were only allowed to speak English.
NA felt the BIA didn't have their best interests at heart.
NA wanted respect, a change of BIA personnel, and freedom to run their own affairs.
Nature of NA campaigning
More conservative activists used the NAACP litigation strategy, which was often successful.
Nature of NA campaigns changed during the 1960s:
many younger activists preferred NVDA (like black Americans) such as sit-ins.
Red power movement emerged.
Red power movement:
litigation
monitored police racism
gained publicity through protest marches and writing.
AIM's 40 chapters: focused on improving ghetto housing, education and employment.
Occupation of Alcatraz (1969):
12 Members of IAT occupied Alcatraz.
300 other NA joined them.
received lengthy and nationwide media coverage.
Evicted in 1971.
NA knew that increased assertiveness often prompted increased fed govt aid.
Achievements of campaigns
Occupation of Alcatraz got loads of media coverage and raised awareness about NA issues.
1974 Indian financing Act- gave tribes funding.
VR act extended to cover NA in 1970.
1972 Indian Education Act- funds for tribal schools.
Indian Self-determination Act 1975- gave tribes more control/freedom.
American Indian Religious Freedom Act- recognised the rights of NA to practise cultural traditions.
Limits to success
Lots of reservations still remained economically disadvantaged.
NA still the poorest of Americans.