The Capture of Alcatraz
- The occupation began in November of of 1969 and continued until June in 1971.
- This occupation sparked the beginning of many more occupations of government facilities.
- "We changed the whole course of history..." -Fortunate Eagle.
A Big Step Forward
- Inspirational
- Ground Breaking
- The Unthinkable
- OCCUPATION OF ALCATRAZ
By Akhil Kulkarni, Alex Mirage and Evelyn Mandel
Native American Civil Rights Movement
- http://siouxme.com/lodge/alcatraz_np.html
- http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/20/alcatraz.indian.occupation/
- https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/the-sixties-1960-1969/the-expansion-of-the-civil-rights-movement/native-american-rights/
- http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3348.
- Alcoholism common
- Reservations squalid
- Many live on reservations
- 60% of the homes on reservations didn't have electricity, 80% were without water
- Less than 1/6 of adults had graduated from high school
- The average person on a reservation had only completed 5 years of school.
- Mugged for no reason off of reservations
- Poorest minority
Plight of Native Americans
Where is the Movement Today?
- The Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs mascots are derogatory.
- They mimic the spiritual rituals of Native Americans.
- In 2007 University of Illinois mascot is retired because of the fact that it was racist.
Native American Opinion
- Native Americans found it offensive.
- They accused it of breaking anti racism laws.
Washington Redskins Controversy
Washington opinion
- It would be a pain for Washington to change the name including lots of money would have to be spent
- The Redskins spent lots of money on the name
- The Name was trademarked in 1967
Racism in Sports and the Media
Tactics
- Protests
- Violence
- Non-Violence
- Occupations
Goals
- Better education/conditions
- Fair treatment
- Native American lands returned to them
- Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1968
- Prominent founders were: Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt and George Mitchell
- Based on platform of spirituality and justice for Native Americans
- Many protests and rallies
AIM
Successes:
- Greater respect toward this race.
- American Indian Movement's longest walk to Washington D.C lead to American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978).
Failures:
- Racism still exists today. (I.E mascots & logos)
- Still poorest minority.
- Land has not been returned (I.E Alcatraz - returned to America & Indian land was not returned to Indians.)
Successes and failures
Dennis Banks
- Native American Leader and civil rights activist, teacher, lecturer, and author
- Cofounded AIM in 1968 (longtime leader)
- Native American Civil Rights activist and leader, teacher, lecturer and author
- Organized longest walk and lead wounded knee II
- Several films, including The Last of the Mohicans
Important Native American Civil Rights Leaders
- born on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota
The Longest Walk
- Organized by AIM (1978)
- San Francisco to Washington D.C. (3,200 miles)
- Several thousand Native Americans & non-native supporters
- February 11nth - July 15nth 1978
- Followers of AIM took control of the town of Wounded Knee with force
- U.S. police force and FBI fought them
- 2 Native Americans died and 1 U.S. fighter died; 1 protester MIA
Wounded Knee II