Chronology of American Indian History

American Indian Scholars. Sponsored by the Amer-
ican Indian Historical Society (see entry for 1964),
the participants discuss the issues facing contempo-
rary Indians and explore means of preserving Indian
cultures and traditions in the future.

March 28

The Indians of All Tribes show support for
the Pyramid Lake Paiute.
Forty of the protesters occupying Alcatraz Island
(see entry for NOVEMBER 20, 1969) form a caravan
and travel to Nevada to bring attention to the plight
of the Paiute of Pyramid Lake. For 65 years, water
has been diverted from the Truckee River, which
feeds into the lake, so that it can be used to irrigate
nearby farms owned by non-Indians (see entry for
1905). Although Pyramid Lake threatens to dry up
completely, the Department of the Interior contin-
ues to ignore the Paiute requests for help.

April 27

Indian activists protest A Man
Called Horse.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, members of the Amer-
ican Indian Movement (see entry for JULY 1968)
picket the premiere of A Man Called Horse, a film
directed by Elliot Silverstein and starring Brit-
ish actor Richard Harris. Harris plays an English
gentleman captured by the Lakota Sioux during the
Plains Wars. When the Englishman valiantly with-
stands the Lakota’s torture, he is adopted into the
tribe and leads them into battle against their Sho-
shone enemies. The protesters particularly object to
the presentation of Harris’s character as the Lakota’s
superior, and to a gory and inaccurate depiction of
the Sun Dance, a traditional religious ritual.

May

Mercury poisoning leads to a fishing ban on
an Ojibway reserve.
The Grassy Narrows Ojibway of Ontario are
forced to close their commercial fishing opera-

tions after rivers on their reserve are found to be

contaminated with methyl mercury. The methyl

mercury had been dumped by the Reed Paper

Company, an English mill located 100 miles

upriver.

When the Canadian government is slow to

react to concerns about related health problems

among the Ojibway, the Indians themselves hire

experts from Minamata, Japan, where rivers have

been similarly poisoned. They confirm that some

Ojibway are suffering from “Minamata disease,” a

nervous disorder caused by exposure to mercury.

May 1 to 3

Pomo occupy burial grounds and an

army base.

On May 1, Pomo protesters take over their an-

cient burial grounds on Rattlesnake Island near

Clear Lake, California. The island is owned by the

Boise-Cascade Lumber Company, which intends to

develop the area as a vacation resort.

The next day, Pomo activists seize a surplus

army radio station near Middletown, California.

Their demands that the buildings be made into a

Pomo education and cultural facility will lead to

the establishment of the Ya-Ka-Ama (meaning “our

land”) Center.

June 4

Canadian Natives issue the Red Paper.

As a response to the Canadian government’s White

Paper (see entry for JUNE 25, 1969), which advo-

cated the termination of Native groups, Native

leaders endorse the opinions offered in Citizens

Plus, a report drafted by Cree Indian Harold

Cardinal and issued by the Indian Association of

Alberta. Also known as the Red Paper, Citizens Plus

maintains that Natives should retain their special

status as defined by past treaties. It also insists that

the Ministry of Indian Affairs be reorganized and

that the Canadian government recognize Native

land claims.