Unit 7

Unit 7

Objective: We will discuss the concerns and interactions between the USA and American Indians from

the 1960’s to present time.

Political and Social Action/Change

• Throughout 40’s, 50’s, 60’s lands were continually diminished by dams, strong arm tactics, political control of BIA, etc. new types of activism modeled after?– Wallace Mad Bear and nonviolent movement vs. NY

• Movements brought together tribal members, increased pride, relocation programs led to urban populations growing more militant due to conditions/time.

Indian Militancy

• 1961 Am. Indian Chicago Conf. led to Declaration of Indian Purpose.

• NIYC exemplified youth movement, anger. – “We are not free” -Clyde Warrior– Pacific coast “fish-ins” indicative

of civil disobedience– Formation of AIM and

“Indian Patrols” in Minneapolis show the mobilization/radicalized new population.

• Actor Marlon Brando and Puyallup tribal leader Bob Satiacum just before Brando's arrest during a fish-in, March 2, 1964Courtesy Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Activism Militancy

• AIM / other movements used protest to further causes. Led to eventual violence. – ‘68 Inter. Bridge Blockade– ’69 Seizure of Alcatraz– 70 Thanksgiving “Mourning”– 71 Mt. Rushmore– 72 Trail of Broken Treaties an

d occupation of BIA building. Outcome of 20 points?

Siege at Wounded Knee• Policy failures led to increased

radicalism / tension• Tension led to increased

federal presence AIM and Means, Banks overtook Wounded Knee, est. own “nation”

• Lasted 71 days until treaty was signed, not recognized. Peltier legacy.

• Violence continued between Dick Wilson’s “goons” and activists until 1976.

Dick Wilson and BIA’s Power• Within three years of the Wounded Knee II

siege, 69 members and supporters of AIM died violently on the reservation. Nearly 350 others were physically assaulted. None of their killers were convicted, and many of the cases were never investigated. Many AIM leaders were imprisoned.

• http://www.pbs.org/itvs/alcatrazisnotanisland/activism.html

Legacy of AIM / Militantism

• Two sides– Temporary coverage/

impact for cause. Violence wrong way, unproductive. No substance.

– Renewed interest, pride in cultural heritage. Spawned new groups, etc.

• Before AIM [American Indian Movement], Indians were dispirited, defeated and culturally dissolving. People were ashamed to be Indian. You didn't see the young people wearing braids or chokers or ribbon shirts in those days. Hell, I didn't wear 'em. People didn't Sun Dance, they didn't Sweat, they were losing their languages. Then there was that spark at Alcatraz, and we took off. Man, we took a ride across this country. We put Indians and Indian rights smack dab in the middle of the public consciousness for the first time since the so-called Indian Wars.... [AIM] laid the groundwork for the next stage in regaining our sovereignty and self-determination as nation, and I'm proud to have been a part of that.- Russell Means (Oglala Lakota)

Current Reservation Lands

Gaming

Gaming on Indian Lands

• Why?– Sovereignty and economic self-reliance is seen as only

way to break poverty cycle. (60’s/70’s)– Economic opportunities limited in so many ways they

turned to gaming (took page out of U.S. book)• How?– Seminoles in ‘79 w/ bingo led to Supreme Court ruling

which led to California v. Cabazon– IGRA ‘88 allowed states/tribes to run casinos on lands

• Federal v. State v. Tribal Sovereignty argument

Positives

• Mississippi Choctaws one of 10 largest employers in Mississippi.

• Seminole tribe purchased Hard Rock for 965 million in 2006.

• California Tribes: 18 tribes own many casinos

• Pequot's in Connecticut own Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun

Overall Benefits• Tribes receive $4 of every $10 that Americans wager at casinos. • Indian casinos earn $26.7 billion in 2008 revenues. • There are 425 Indian gaming facilities. • 240 tribes operate casinos. • Indian gaming operates in 28 states • 24 states allow full-scale Indian casinos, 4 allow only Class II

casinos (bingo slots) • Indian casinos provide 712,000 jobs with $27 billion in wages • Indian gaming paid $10.8 billion in local, state and federal taxes in

2008. • Indian gaming pays $1.3 billion in taxes to federal, state, local

governments. • Source: National Indian Gaming Commission www.nigc.gov

Connecticut Casinos

Connecticut Casinos

Foxwoods (Pequot) Mohegan Sun (Mohegans)

Mashantucket Pequot museum

Tribal Benefits• Economic freedoms lead to

cultural awareness, programs, buildings, legal monies, etc.

• State revenues in billions – Political power restored in

states (p. 545 quote)• Guaranteed employment,

health care, housing, government programs, education, etc for some of the tribes

• 2007 took in more revenue than Vegas (26.7 Billion)

• http://500nations.com/news/Indian_Casinos/20090603.asp

Mt. Pleasant MI, Ojibwa NationCultural Center Casino

Arguments Against• Who would argue against Indian gaming rights?– Local communities against traffic, influence, etc. – Other gaming entities (AC and Vegas)– Resentment and stereotypes – Indian Arguments Against?• Weariness of relationships with states/compromise of

sovereignty • Vices and impact upon culture/tribe/reservations• Non-Indian involvement • Divisions within tribes and with other tribes

Green Bay, WI. Oneida Nation

Gas station gamblingAnother gas station (7 casinos within reservation)

Confronting Modern Issues

• Alcohol/Drugs– HIGH alcoholism rates health issues, depression. Meth

use rising/effects– Combating addiction

• Repatriation: Returning bones/artifacts– Showed lack of humanity to Indians vs. Science/Research– 80’s began period of returning items, 1990 Native

American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act.

• North Dakota alcohol impact upon the reservations.

21st Century Indians

• Changes over last 500+ years indicative of many problems, but also the resilience of the Indian. Poverty, government actions, genocide, etc. have not killed the Indian, nor their spirit/ideas. Adaption has been constant and will continue on into the 21st century. What roles they serve will be interesting and progress will hopefully ensue.

Reflection

• Has your opinion changed about this/any topic regarding NA history?

• What was the most interesting part/unit of this course?

• What do you take from this class overall?• Would you recommend this class to a friend?

Why or why not?• Thoughts for improvement?

Quiz (456-463)• 1. Post WWII saw a population shift from reservations to

_________?• 2. This group was responsible for many social reforms in Indian

communities in 1960’s. • 3. List one specific protest/action taken by Indians in 60’s and

70’s to realize treaty rights, freedoms. • 4. Which led the siege at Wounded Knee on the Indian side?• 5. Which of the following was the radical Indian group whose

impact has been debated since the 1970’s. • A. Means D. NYIC• B. Wilson E. BIA• C. AIM

Quiz• 1). LIST one stereotype modern Indians are

supposed to perpetuate?• 2). Which has been most critical for tribal economic

success?• 3). Which tribe owns Hard Rock International?• 4). List one negative of gaming for Indian

populations• 5). List one benefit of gaming for individual Indians.• A. Sovereignty • B. Seminole• C. Choctaw