"The 19 month occupation… demonstrated beyond all doubt that strong actions by Indians could result not only in broad public exposure of the issues and substantial national/international support for Indian rights, but could potentially force significant concessions from the federal government as well.” [1] “Alcatraz was different. Despite its chaos and factionalism, the mostly peaceful event resulted in major benefits for American Indians." [2] "As a direct result of the occupation, federal policies of relocation and termination were abandoned and numerous laws were passed to support Native American self-determination, recognition, health and education.” [3] |
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ ABOUT PRESIDENT NIXON'S ACTIONS TO COMBAT NATIVE AMERICAN INEQUALITY
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The Administration for Native Americans: "In 1974 the Congress passed the Native American Programs Act that authorized a much-expanded role for the program. Its prior role had been job training and employment. Its role now is promoting self-sufficiency and cultural preservation." [4]
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"Indian health care saw its budget more than double under Nixon between 1970 and 1975." [5] |
American Religious Freedom Act of 1978: "The federal government stopped suppressing and prosecuting Indian people for practicing their religion. Among the specific things the government had outlawed were the Sun Dance, the Bear Dance, potlatches, give-aways, the use of peyote in religious ceremonies, the use of sweat lodges, the use of sacred sites, and the use of eagle feathers in Indian religious ceremonies." [7]
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The Indian Education Act of 1972: "It now provides funding to some 1,100 school districts for supplemental funding for Indian education." [8]
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“But since that time, the federal government has clearly changed from anti-Indian to pro-Indian, at least according to some Indian people. Termination of Indian treaties was the law of the land in 1969. President Richard Nixon reversed that policy and declared termination to be dead in 1970 as a direct result of the Alcatraz occupation. Since then, Congress has passed at least 16 laws that make life better for Indians.” [9] |