Native Americans: Racial Tolerance by 1992

Question 1

Economic Status

Progress 1980-92

Answer 1

Native Americans with college education increased 20% 1970-1990
Growth in Native American middle class (affirmative action policies)

Question 2

Economic Status

Setbacks: 1980-92

Answer 2

Native American income less than half national average

Question 3

Political and Legal Status

Progress: 1980-92

Answer 3

Native American tribes far more assertive over sovereignty + land rights (lobbying + litigation)
Supreme Court supported tribal sovereignty + tax powers in Merrion case (1982)

Question 4

Political and Legal Status

Setbacks: 1980-92

Answer 4

1990 - Duro v Reina case Supreme Court ruled tribal courts didn’t have criminal juristiction over non tribe members
Court ruled states could** deny employment** to peyote users

Question 5

Social Status

Progress: 1980-92

Answer 5

Congress demonstrated respect for culture in Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (1990)
Allowed Native Americans to retrieve remains if ancestors from museums and universities

Question 6

Social Status

Setbacks: 1980-92

Answer 6

Chief Justice William Rehnquist (1985) and President Reagan (1988) made derogatory remarks about Native American culture