2024051004

In weeks 10 and 11 of the semester, coursework pertained to the early emergence of Native American activism and its prominence within the popular cultural sphere. Federal policies failed to suppress Native culture and resistance with the rise of mass media and televised technology. One might see that clearest with the Wounded Knee village takeover as displayed in Wounded Knee. Nelson’s (2009) documentary depicted events as seen in concurrent readings of the course, such as “Becoming Indian: 1970–1990”, a chapter from The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee which discussed the National Indian Youth Council (NIYC), the American Indian Movement (AIM), and their attempts, successes, and failures in reclaiming “Red Power”.

Wounded Knee regards the takeover by AIM following previous takeovers of government property and unfair criminal charges for Native murders. The documentary studies all parties involved during the 71-day takeover with a focus on AIM and other Native protestors; however, it also provides insight into the FBI and federal involvement, the Wounded Knee village “hostages”, and third-party involvement, including the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (often referred to as the “GOON squad”), American public, and press. It culminates in the end of the 71-day takeover and shows the disruptions in AIM’s protest which led to its end, including the two notable deaths of protestors through federal fire and the increased paranoia due to FBI informant.

Treuer’s (2019) chapter on Indigenous activism extends into other acts by AIM, acts from a fellow activist group, the NIYC, and other federal changes which affected early Indigenous activism. Treuer details the multiple other AIM takeovers; many of them occurred before Wounded Knee, such as the famed Alcatraz Island takeover in 1969 and the Bureau of Indian Affairs takeover in 1971. In all cases, AIM focused on loud, militant disruption to the American order. They demanded federal acknowledgement of Natives, recognition of their treaty rights and sovereignty, revisions to their qualifications for dual benefits and American citizenship rights, and support for Native education and economic development. While they achieved great publicity for Native activism, their takeovers and actions themselves often had lesser successes, and they were often harshly criticized for manufacturing a violent, “cult worship” environment. Treuer also discusses the work of the NIYC, who emphasized youth reclamation of their cultural identities and youth participation in leadership and activism. The NIYC would go on to aid with the Pacific Northwest fishing wars which contributed to recognizing tribal sovereignty and Native culture in the Northwest.

Finally, Vine Deloria, Jr.’s work, Custer Died for Your Sins, is a manifesto emblematic of Native activism in the era of AIM and the NIYC. Two of the chapters within discuss the very image of Natives that the NIYC tried to change: the “plighted”, grieving, and deeply spiritual Native whose life is always shrouded in trauma and loss. In the first chapter of his manifesto, “Indians Today, the Real and Unreal”, Deloria introduces this image and how it and its comparison to reality contrasted the anomalies and disruption of other minority groups during the Civil Rights Movement such as Black people (Deloria, 1969). Deloria debunks many of the myths associated with Natives surrounding their prior status as wards of the state and their reliance on and support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. One in particular, the grief and stern-faced disposition of the picturesque Native, is debunked with an entire chapter about “Indian Humor”. He describes how Native Americans have made light of their history and ascribed stereotypes and contrast the expectations of white Americans, who end up shocked by their humor instead.

The readings from weeks ten and eleven embody the rise of Native activism and youth organization whose spirit has carried into today. Even though these events all occurred decades ago, one still sees the determination of Natives who had undergone enough suffering to end cruel federal and cultural treatment.