-
Richard Oakes
Richard Oakes was born on May 22, 1942. He began studying at San Francisco State University in the early 1960s, where he got in contact with local Native American communities. He believed that “Native peoples have a right to sovereignty, self-determination, justice, respect and control over their own destinies.” Richard Oakes lead the occupation of Alcatraz, where he used his leadership to successfully affect US legislation, making a significant impact on Native American rights. -
Period: to
Native American Rights Movement
Following the year 1945, Native American's have focused on obtaining equality and equal opportunity. Efforts are still being made, and there have been significant improvements and accomplishments to this date. -
Founding of AIM
The AIM was founded July 28, 1968 in north minneapolis. AIM stands for, American Indian Movement which is an activist group advocating for rights and equality for American Indians in the United States. It encouraged self determination for all of Native Americans. They hoped to address the injustice American Indians in the United States. -
Occupation of Alcatraz (1969-1971)
After being shut down in 1963, the Alcatraz prison became a significant topic within the Native American community. They planned to take over the land, turning it into an Indian Cultural Center and School. On November 20th, 1969, the Indians of All Tribes group sent 89 men, women, and children to occupy the island. The occupation lasted for 19 months, and eventually ended due to lack of resources. The occupation lead to recognition of Native American self-determination and rights. -
Occupation of Wounded Knee by Oglala Sioux
A protest broke out in the city of wounded after taking over the city. They did this because the Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization (OSCRO) failed to impeach the tribal leader of the time Richard Wilson who was corrupt and abusive. They also demanded that the US government continue to fulfill treaties that they had failed to keep. The leader was reelected and many people weren't very happy and they didn't come to an agreement. -
Native American Languages Act (1990)
Since the first European settlers, Native American languages have been threatened by the spread of colonial languages and influences. Native American boarding schools began in 1870s, and required children to speak English and assimilate to the Euro-American society. In 1990, the NALA was passed, ensuring that the United States would recognize the status of Native American cultures and languages. With additional funding from acts such as the NALPA, Native American opportunity was benefited. -
Major Accomplishments (1945-Present)
Native Americans have suffered social and economic problems due to "long-term bias and discrimination," including poverty, unemployment, and educational opportunity. With the help of the significant creation of the American Indian Movement in 1968, as well as the Occupation of Alcatraz, and the Native American Languages Act, Native American communities have been empowered to join the fight for civil rights, and the preservation of cultural beliefs and values. Improvements have been successful. -
Cobell v. Salazar and the Claims resolution act
In 1996 Elouise Cobell and other Native American representatives brought a class-action lawsuit to the United States government for the mishandling and mismanagement of Indian trust funds that would pay for the Indian land and help pay for college for Native Americans. They ended up receiving $3.4 billion for the US government that went towards a Indian scholarship fund and part would help to manage their resources properly. -
Problems and Goals Native Americans struggle with today
Native Americans today struggle with the unfair and unjust amount of policing of their race and mass incarceration as well. They have been shot and killed at a shocking rate by white police officers even though they make up less than 1% of the population. Another problem Native Americans struggle with and trying to fight to change is the amount and rate at which Indians are either jobless or turned down from jobs.
