Ep 4-History of AIM pt 2 Dawes Act, Indian Reorganization, and Termination Era
Sep 23, 2019
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Topics discussed in this podcast include the consequences of the Dawes Act and land allotment, the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and its effects, indigenous perspectives on ideologies and decolonization, discrimination and assimilation faced by Native Americans, and the consequences of termination policies.
The Dawes Act of 1887 resulted in the loss of Native American land and cultural sovereignty.
The Indian Reorganization Act eroded tribal self-determination and introduced assimilation measures.
Termination policies undermined indigenous rights, leading to division, loss of culture, and eroded self-governance.
Deep dives
Limiting land allotments
The podcast episode discusses the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which put an end to land allotments for Native Americans. The act gave the Secretary of the Interior the power to restore lands to tribes, but with many stipulations and limitations. It also introduced measures to encourage assimilation, including the establishment of boarding schools. The act was sold as progressive and aimed to uplift Native Americans, but ultimately resulted in the loss of more land and the erosion of cultural sovereignty.
Power of the Secretary of the Interior
The Indian Reorganization Act granted the Secretary of the Interior extensive power, including the authority to sell and decide on land allocations. The act allowed the secretary to acquire land through various means and increase the length of trust periods indefinitely. This power also extended to making decisions on tribal elections and governance, effectively eroding tribal self-determination.
Restrictions on tribal funds
The act established limitations on tribal access to funds, particularly in relation to land charters and grievances. It restricted the use of funds for land charters to $250,000 and allocated $10 million for loans to charter companies. Additionally, the act prevented the use of funds for payouts related to grievances.
Creation of tribal council and assimilation
The Indian Reorganization Act mandated the creation of tribal councils and imposed a white man's constitution on tribes. It introduced a system of governance that favored assimilation and relinquished power to the Secretary of the Interior for decision-making and oversight. Overall, while the act presented itself as progressive, it furthered assimilation efforts and undermined Native American sovereignty.
The Devastation of Termination Policies
The podcast episode explores the devastating impact of termination policies on indigenous populations in the United States. These policies aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream society and strip them of their land, culture, and rights. The Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946, along with other acts, undermined tribal sovereignty, led to the termination of federal supervision, relocation of tribes, and the partitioning of land. These policies caused division, loss of cultural practices, and eroded self-governance. The episode emphasizes the ongoing need for recognition and protection of indigenous rights.
Resistance and Solidarity
Despite the systemic oppression faced by Indigenous communities, the podcast highlights the resistance movements that emerged during this time. From the American Indian Movement (AIM) to the occupation of Alcatraz and other protests, Indigenous activists fought against the termination policies and advocated for their rights and sovereignty. The episode explores the complexities of Pan-Indianism, emphasizing the need for solidarity while recognizing the unique cultural, linguistic, and historical identities of each indigenous group. The discussion raises important questions about holding problematic traditions accountable while challenging Western paradigms and colonization. The episode concludes with a quote from Richard Nixon acknowledging the detrimental nature of termination policies.
Thank you for downloading the episode. Today we discuss the Dawes Act, Indian Reorganization Act, and Indian Termination Acts.Our next episode will be a Turtle Talk with some special guests you can find here:
