Native Americans

1. Native Americans

2. Life of the plains Indians • For the Indians living on the Great Plains, buffalos and horses were important resources that provided food, shelter, clothing, and eventually, transportation. • While many Indian nations lived mainly as farmers, hunters, and gatherers, others became nomads. Using horses for transportation, these nomadic tribes would follow vast buffalo herds across the plains.

3. Government Policy Initially, the government attempted to limit the movement of Native Americans by negotiating treaties for the federal purchase of Indian land, or the creation of Indian Reserves. However these treaties were often filled with fraud and lies and led to many misunderstandings.

4. The Sand Creek Massacre, 1864 After promising protection to the Cheyenne tribe, Colonel Chivington went against his word and sent 700 men upon the Native American’s as they slept. Although the Cheyenne leader mounted a flag of surrender, Chivington’s men murdered between 150 and 500 of the Cheyennetribe.

5. The Battle of the Wounded Knee After half a century of distress, a prophet of the Great Plains promised a return to traditional Native American life if people performed purification ceremonies known as “The Ghost Dance” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PQj-NHp83A&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active Mistaking this ritual for madness and insanity, the government sent army back up. After killing the leader, Sitting Bull, around 350 Native American’s of the Sioux tribe surrendered. However, after an accidental shot was fired, officers ended up killing more than 200 Sioux.

6. Attempts to Change Culture • In the late 1800’s, government turned to the process of assimilation in hopes that Native American Children could conform to the current American culture. Children as young as 5 were taken away from their families and put into schools to be educated “as Americans”. • The Dawes Act divided reservation land into individual plots of land in which the Native Americans were expected to farm and participate in “American Economy”.

7. Important changes • The Snyder Act (1924) – Granted US citizenship to all Native Americans born in the USA • Indian Claims Commission (1946) – Federal Government paid Native American tribes millions of dollars to pay back taken and lost lands

8. American Indian Movement An activist organization that worked and fought for Indian treaty rights and better conditions and opportunities for Native Americans. The A.I.M. set up patrols and protection in Indian communities, fought for Indians’ legal rights (including autonomy), and sought control of natural resources and lands that were illegally taken from Native Americans.

9. Government responses • Kennedy & Johnson tried to bring jobs and income to reservations by encouraging industries to locate on leased lands. • Indian Education Act of 1972 – Gave parents and tribal councils control over their schools and school programs. • Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975- Upheld Native American autonomy and let local leaders administer federally supported social programs for housing and education. Throughout the years to follow, Native Americans continued to win legal battles and regain land, mineral, and water rights.