Native American History: Termination of Tribal Governments in the 1950s (CSULB)

Introduction

• Welcome to Dr. Craig Stone, guest lecturer from the History Department and American Indian Studies Program.

• Viewing a documentary focusing on Native American perspectives on myths surrounding American history, e.g., the story of Pocahontas and John Smith.

• Traditional American historical narrative skips from Plymouth Rock to the Revolution, omitting complex interactions in between.

• The lecture aims to share darker stories interwoven with the more famous events.

Overview of Historical Relationship (Pre-1880)

• Previous lectures covered the evolution of the relationship between Native tribes and the federal government up to 1880.

• Early perceptions of Native Americans:

  • Initially viewed with admiration as potential role models of freedom and democracy.

  • Iroquois Constitution admired by the Founding Fathers.

  • Tribes were seen as civilizable if integrated into American values.

• Shift in government perspective:

  • As American expansion progressed, Native Americans came to be seen as obstacles.

  • They were viewed as un-American threats needing neutralization, removal, or confinement.

  • Laws like the Indian Removal Act of 1830 legalized the deportation of tribes, including both peaceful (Cherokee) and resistant (Creek, Seminole) groups.

• Government belief in benevolence:

  • America thought its forced assimilation and educational policies would benefit Native tribes, though they resulted in cultural destruction.

Relationship from 1880 to 1970

• Focus today is on the relationship changes from 1880 until 1970, excluding familiar Indian Wars due to volume.

• Unusual beneficial changes during the 1930s and 1940s:

  • Government attempted to improve Native American lives via land distribution under the Indian New Deal by Franklin Roosevelt in 1934.

  • Land reclamation: Over 2 million acres returned to tribes; improved economic autonomies.

  • Establishment of rights for tribes to lodge grievances against the federal government.

  • Expanded federal assistance for education, healthcare, and essential infrastructure on reservations, foreshadowing future Indian Health Service.

  • During WWII, Native Americans had a high enlistment rate and proved their loyalty and American identity.

Societal and Economic Conditions (Post-War)

• Post-WWII adjustments:

  • Establishment of the Indian Claims Commission in 1946 for tribes to seek compensation, with more than $800 million awarded by 1978.

  • However, significant loss of land occurred in the 1980s, reflecting continued dispossession.

Termination Policy (1950s-70s)

• Deterioration of relations in the 1950s through 1970s:

  • Many Native Americans faced severe discrimination amid the civil rights movements.

  • Termination policy was enacted in response to perceived failures of past integration strategies:

    • Many tribes lost federal recognition, rights, and reservations.

    • Over 109 tribes were terminated, leading to loss of 2.5 million acres of tribal land.

• Conditions deteriorated:

  • Native suicide and alcoholism rates surged; poverty levels escalated on reservations, with life expectancy disparities.

  • The U.S. government shifted blame toward 'Indianness' as the root of suffering, reinforcing negative stereotypes and further depriving tribes of essential services.

• Forced relocations planned, with expectations that integration would economically empower Native peoples. However, government presumed good intentions overlooked Native perspectives and cultural significance.

• Resistance to termination and cultural preservation:

  • Many Native Americans resisted leaving reservations, clinging to their culture.

  • Urban migration led to cultural shocks; some attempted to return to maintain their heritage.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• Post-termination period left many Native Americans in despair, prompting the need for future action and resistance against policies viewed as harmful, including insights into Nixon's eventual recognition of failures.

• Next lecture will discuss more on Native responses and efforts to oppose and reform detrimental policies.