American Civil Rights KEY PERIODS/ ORGAINSATIONS/ PEOPLE/ ect

• Establishment of AIM (American Indian Movement) 1968
• Fish-In staged in Washington State when State Supreme Court failed to uphold treaty rights for Columbia River.
• The publication of literature making Americans aware to Native American Culture. E.g. Custer Died for your Sins (Vine Deloria Jr's) Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (Dee Brown's)
• Pursued cases through the Supreme Court to gain return of former tribal land.
• The Siege of Alcatraz

The Siege of Alcatraz Background

Led by Richard Oakes and negotiations carried out behind the scene by Adam Fortunate Eagle Nordwell, they planned and orgainsed the siege of the former prison island. Belonged to Ohlone Indians. Offered government $24 worth of beads and material--like government paid for Manhattan. When refused, Native Americans brought in the media. 10,000 had visited the island whilst it was under occupation. Even supplies of food, water and necessary resources brought over to keep them going. Lasted till 1971, 11th June. The island symbolised the life imprisionment in poverty on reservations and in urban areas because of neglect. Encouraged others to make a stand like members of Maine, collecting toll for those passing through land.

•  1971- Occupation of Mount Rushmore, Black Hills Dakota. Scared burial site of the Sioux. Ownership of land is still being disputed.
• 1972- AIM take over Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington DC. Followed from the protest of 1,000 who travelled across the us in the 'Treaties of broken treaties caravan'
• 1973- The occupation of Wounded Knee, lasted for 71 days.
• 1975- Pine Ridge Reservation, further violence broke out and resulted in shootings. Two FBI agents and a protestor dead. Appeal Court blamed it on overreation of authorities.

The Civil Rights in the late 20th century appeared to be making progress due to the froniter of unity. Saw that Native Americans could be more assertive due to 'Red Power'.