Native Americans Seek Equality

Native Americans Seek Greater Autonomy

• Have been the poorest of Americans• Highest unemployment rate• High rate of alcoholism, suicide, and infant

mortality.

The American Indian Movement (AIM) began in 1968 largely as a self-defense group against police brutality, it

soon branched out to include protecting the rights of large Native American populations in northern and western

states.

Confronting the GovernmentNative Americansoften used militarytactics to confrontthe government. The Indians of AllTribes seized andoccupied Alcatraz.

AIM, led by Russell Means, seized and occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Washington, D.C., and

the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

Native American Victories1975- Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act – gave tribesgreater control over their own affairs and children’s education.

1970’s -1980’s - Native Americans went to federal court with copies of old land treaties and reclaimed land throughout the United States including 44 million acres in Alaska.

Stereotyping and Sports MascotsYouTube - How Hollywood stereotyped the Native Americans