Effectively the Martinez decision prohibits
federal courts from hearing future claims against
tribal governments. Critics hold that the Supreme
Court is eliminating the best legal means Indian
people have of protecting themselves from corrupt
tribal governments.
May 20
The Chumash protest natural gas extraction
on a burial site.
Twenty-five members of the small Chumash tribe
take over Little Cohu Bay near Point Conception,
California, to protest a utility company’s plan to
extract natural gas in the area. The Chumash de-
mand protection of the site, which is the location
of ancient burial grounds of the tribe. The utility
company agrees to allow six Chumash to oversee
the excavation of the site and to provide the tribe
access to the area for religious purposes.
May 24
Indian activists are acquitted of a cab
driver’s murder.
After a long, sensational trial, Paul “Skyhorse” Du-
rant and Richard “Mohawk” Billings are acquitted
of the 1974 stabbing death of a Los Angeles cab
driver on Camp 13, a campsite affiliated with the
American Indian Movement (AIM). AIM mem-
bers allege that the FBI attempted to frame the
two men in order to discredit the Indian rights
group.
August 11
The American Indian Religious Freedom
Act reinforces Indians’ right to practice
traditional religions.
A joint resolution of both houses of Congress, the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act establishes
the protection and preservation of Indian religions
as an important goal of federal Indian policy. The
resolution is seen as a reversal of past policies that
discouraged and sometimes outlawed the practice
of Native American religions. The resolution ex-
plicitly states that Indians have the inherent right
to access sites of religious importance, to the use
and possession of sacred objects, and to worship
through traditional ceremonies and rites. It does
not, however, offer any procedures for enforcing
these provisions (see entry for APRIL 19, 1988). (See
also entry for 1994.)September 30The Indian Claims Commission (ICC) ceases
operation.
The Indian Claims Commission (ICC) is disbanded
after 32 years of operation (see entry for AUGUST 13,
1946). Charged with resolving all Indian land claims,
it heard about 300 cases and awarded Indian groups
approximately $800 million in compensation for lost
lands. The 66 claims still pending are referred to the
U.S. Court of Claims for resolution.
The ICC is judged on some levels a failure, on
others a success. The federal government had in-
tended the commission to clear up not only land
claims but also satisfy its moral obligations to com-
pensate Indians for the injustices committed against
them by the United States. Instead of settling past
wrongs, the ICC merely brought more to light, as
Indian groups researched tribal histories in prepara-
tion for bringing their cases before the commission.
Many Indians were disappointed by the ICC,
sometimes because it offered inadequate compensa-
tion, other times because groups wanted land and
justice, not just money. Settlements from the ICC,
however, did funnel much-needed funds into tribal
governments and communities. Dealing with the
commission also taught many Indian leaders about
the legal system, allowing them to use other courts
more effectively to fight for their rights.October 1The Department of the Interior reexamines
tribal status criteria.
After more than 400 hearings to gather informa-
tion, the Department of the Interior puts into