Chronology of American Indian History

P

standard of living up to the same level as that of
other Americans. Second, the president comes
out against the Relocation policy (see entry for
1952), insisting that Indians be given “freedom of
choice” to live in urban areas or in traditional In-
dian communities. Third, Johnson wants Indians to
experience “full participation in modern America,”
noting a lack of economic opportunities and “social
justice” as the main obstacles.

• “In 1970, when men have
  landed on the moon, many
  American Indians still do
  not have adequate roads to
  the nearest market.


• In 1970, when almost
  every American baby can
  look forward to a life ex-
  pectancy of 70 years, the
  Indian infant mortality rate
  is three times higher than
  the national average after
  the first month of life.


• In 1970, when personal
  income in America is at
  an unprecedented level,
  unemployment among
  American Indians runs as
  high as 60%.”
  —from a statement presented to
  Vice President Spiro Agnew
  by the National Council on
  Indian Opportunity in 1970

March 6

The National Council on Indian
Opportunity is formed.
To promote its Self-determination policy, the John-
son administration establishes the National Council

on Indian Opportunity. Composed of representa-

tives of several cabinet departments and headed

by Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the council

is charged with recommending reforms to increase

American Indians’ involvement in federal programs

meant to benefit them.

April 18

American Indian Civil Rights Act applies

constitutional protections to tribal

governments.

After six years of hearings, Congress passes the

American Indian Civil Rights Act, as Title II of

the Civil Rights Act. The legislation extends most

of the protections granted to American citizens by

the Bill of Rights to people—Indian and non-In-

dian—under the jurisdiction of tribal governments.

For example, the act orders that tribal governments

cannot deny the freedoms of speech, religion, press,

and assembly. Among the rights it does not enforce

are the constitutional guarantee of a republican

form of government, which could interfere with

traditional Indian forms of government, and the

right to free legal counsel, which is considered too

great an expense for tribal courts.

One of the greatest and most immediate con-

sequences of the Indian Civil Rights Act will be a

flurry of lawsuits against Indian tribes by individu-

als who maintain the tribes are violating their civil

rights. Suits will challenge tribes on such issues as

election and voting procedures, job discrimination,

and tribal enrollment.

July

The American Indian Movement (AIM) is

founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In response to police brutality, a group of young

Minneapolis Indians—led by Dennis Banks and

Clyde Bellecourt—form the American Indian

Movement (AIM). The organization, modeled on

the Black Panthers, begins to monitor the city’s

non-Indian police force, which AIM contends sys-

tematically harasses Minneapolis Indians. Within