Chronology of American Indian History

non-Indian missionaries to increase awareness of
the special concerns of the Native American Catho-
lics among Roman Catholic Church authorities.
The organization is named after a 17th-century
Mohawk nun Kateri Tekakwitha (see entry for
APRIL 17, 1680). (See also entry for 1977.)

April to October

The work of Seneca artists is featured at
the World’s Fair.
With the support of the Indian Arts Project,
organized under the Federal Works Progress Ad-
ministration, the Seneca of the Tonawanda and
Cattarugus Reservations experienced an artistic
renaissance during the mid-1930s. Seneca artists
involved in the WPA program revived traditional
arts, including woodcarving, basketry, and quill-
work, while others explored the non-Indian media
of painting and drawing. The work of artists such
as Jesse Cornplanter (see entry for 1913), Ernest
Smith, and Sarah Hill are brought to the attention
of an international audience when they are displayed
in the New York State Pavilion at the World’s Fair
in New York City.

April 5

In Re Eskimo clarifies the legal status of
Canadian Inuit.
The Canadian Supreme Court decides in In Re
Eskimo that the word Indian in the British North
America Act (see entry for JULY 1, 1867) should
be understood to include the Inuit of Canada. The
ruling therefore establishes that the Canadian gov-
ernment has the same relationship with the Inuit as
it does with Indians.

May 19

Kateri Tekakwitha is declared venerable.
Pope Pius XII declares Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk
nun renowned for centuries for her devoutness, to be
venerable. She is the first Native American to be so
honored by the Catholic Church. Since Tekakwitha’s

death (see entry for APRIL 17, 1680), many miracles

have been attributed to her intervention. (See also

entries for 1939 and for JUNE 22, 1980.)

1940

The Eagle Protection Act is passed.

With the Eagle Protection Act, Congress autho-

rizes the Department of the Interior’s Fish and

Wildlife Service to restrict the killing of bald

eagles or the taking of their parts. The law threat-

ens many Indian groups’ ability to practice their

native religion because eagle feathers are needed

to make sacred religious paraphernalia. (See also

entry for 1986.)

February

Southwestern Indian artisans reject the

swastika motif.

To protest the Nazi Party in Germany, Indian arti-

sans from the Navajo (Dineh), Hopi, Papago (now

the Tohono O’odham), and Apache peoples sign an

agreement to stop using swastika designs in their

work. Before the swastika was adopted as a Nazi

symbol, it was a common design motif in south-

western silverwork, basketry, and textiles.

October

American Indians register for the draft.

For the first time in American history, all young

Indian men are called upon to register for the

draft as the United States prepares to enter World

War II. (Because Indians did not receive U.S.

citizenship until 1924, most were not subject to

the draft during World War I.) Before the end

of World War II, approximately 25,000 Indians

will serve in the U.S. military, while about 45,000

will contribute their labor to wartime industries.

Three Indian soldiers—Jack C. Montgomery

(Cherokee), Ernest Childers (Creek), and Van

Barfoot (Choctaw)—will be awarded the Medal

of Honor.