NA 1970-92

Question 1

What speech did Nixon deliver?

Answer 1

• In 1970
• a speech to congress where he strongly criticised the treatment of Native Americans since the mid 19th century
• he described their humiliation as a result of the poverty of their lives and the denial of the right of NA to influence and control the federal programmes
• and that NA leadership was essential to ensuring the success of the assistance that the FG provided for these NA.

Question 2

What was Nixon’s opinion on the termination policy?

Answer 2

• Believed that it failed to improve opportunities for NA and had instead caused poverty and distress amongst them
• As a result the termination policy ended and a reform programme was established to begin the process of righting the wrongs

Question 3

What are examples of the reform policies

Answer 3

• In 1969 Nixon made Louis Bruce Jnr who was part of the Mohawk-Sioux commissioner for Indian Affairs
• in 1972, land was returned to the Yakama Indians of Washington state
• NA gained access to federal courts and this as a result meant that they could regain their treaty rights that they had loss
• The 1972 Indian Education Act which increased funding for Indian Schools and included programmes to build reservation schools

Question 4

Why did Nixon’s actions make him popular amongst NA?

Answer 4

• Because he had done more for them in a short space of time than any other president

Question 5

What legislations were passed under Ford?

Answer 5

• The Indian Self Determination which set up a process for tribes to take responsibility for their own education, health and social services and Education Assistance (1975) which built on Nixon’s and gave NA parents greater involvement in their child’s educational process
• It was heavily influenced by Nixons priorities and it marked a radical change in direction in Federal policy
• It is significant because it recognised NA right to self determination and portrays the movement away from the US aim of assimilation for NA and acknowledges that NA have the right to determine their own future and how they live

Question 6

What legislations were passed under Carter?

Answer 6

• 1978 The NA religious freedom act which gave NA the right to practice their own traditional religion, sacred objects and rituals
• In 1978, the Indian Child Welfare Act which regulated the forced removals of NA children from their families

Question 7

What is Native Capitalism?

Answer 7

• A belief that Reagan aligned with which was essentially intended to reduce the burden on the FG and state by promoting profitable businesses amongst NA so that the federal funding could be reduced

Question 8

How was the progress towards self determination further advanced

Answer 8

• With the recognition of the right of NA to live according to their tribal culture
• For EG) - The American Indian Policy Review Commission which was set up to review the historical and legal relationship between the FG and NA
  - The NA religious Freedom Act (1978)
  - The Indian Child Welfare act 1978

Question 9

What are some examples of the Red Power protests that had an impact on federal reform?

Answer 9

• 1971 Occupation of Mount Rushmore in Black hills of Dakota, which was an attempt to reassert the disputed ownership of these sacred burial grounds of the Lakota Sioux Indians, the AIM protesters established a camp in the area however were eventually evicted
• 1973 Occupation of Wounded Knee as this was the place of the massacre it was highly evocative place for NA’s and the protest arose following the allegations of the suspected financial dealings of the president of the reservation and his maltreatment of the NA. It lasted 71 days and involved resistance to US marshals and FBI agents and it ended with a settlement

Question 10

What did the Red Power Protests do?

Answer 10

• Raised awareness of the past injustices and broken promises and treaties and were extremely influential in bringing about policy changes
• However it also had a negative impact because it contributed to the slow implementation of the reforming legislations in 1970s because the FG viewed the actions of the Red power as subversive and dangerous so there was a lack of sympathy amongst the FG

Question 11

What did many NA think of the Red Power tactics?

Answer 11

• They believed that they did not have their best interests and that their violent methods did not align with the NA way of life

Question 12

What was NARF?

Answer 12

• Native American Rights Fund was founded in 1970 to defend the rights of NA and to preserve tribal culture and way of life in particular their right to hunt and fish
• it fought for their right to vote in states where registration was restricted
• Was concerned with the protection of human rights of NA such as their right to worship freely and the proper burial of ancestral remains
• Was also responsible for the training of young NA as attorneys

Question 13

What court cases did NARF help in?

Answer 13

• 1974 Oneida v Oneida and Madison Countries, New york which was to establish the right of Oneida to sue for the return of their lands
• 1976 Fisher v Montana secured the right of tribal courts to decide on all cases relating to the adoption of Indian children
• 1980 US v Sioux Nation which allowed the SIoux indians to be entitled to a compensation of 17.5 million dollars for the loss of black hills.