American Indian Movement Occupies Alcatraz Island

The American Indian Movement Occupied Alcatraz for 19 Months, But Why On November 20, 1969, a group of Native American activists, including Richard Oakes, set foot on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, California, marking the beginning of a 19-month occupation. Led by the American Indian Movement, this takeover was a deliberate act of defiance against the US government's treatment of Native Americans. The occupation ended on June 11, 1971, when federal agents forcibly removed the remaining protesters.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Alcatraz occupation was a spontaneous act of rebellion, sparked by frustration and anger towards the government's handling of Native American affairs. The standard story goes that a group of Native American activists, fueled by a sense of injustice, decided to take a stand by occupying the former prison island. This narrative, however, oversimplifies the complex events and motivations that led to the occupation.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Paul Chaat Smith, in his book "Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee," argues that the occupation was a carefully planned response to decades of government neglect and abuse. On March 8, 1968, the Indian Land Commission reported that the US government had taken over 90 million acres of Native American land since the late 19th century. The US government had also failed to provide basic services, such as healthcare and education, to many Native American communities, leading to widespread poverty and discontent. According to historian Vine Deloria Jr., who wrote "Behind the Trail of Broken Treaties," the occupation was a direct result of the government's refusal to uphold its treaty obligations to Native American tribes. On October 12, 1970, the American Indian Movement released a statement outlining their demands, including the establishment of a Native American cultural center and a return of ancestral lands. As the occupation dragged on, the movement gained national attention, with supporters like actress Jane Fonda visiting the island on December 27, 1970, to show their solidarity. Meanwhile, government officials, including President Richard Nixon, were working to find a way to end the occupation without giving in to the protesters' demands.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and journalists have often overlooked the story of the Alcatraz occupation, and government officials have actively contributed to its suppression. The Nixon administration, in particular, worked to downplay the event, with officials like Interior Secretary Rogers Morton making public statements that dismissed the occupation as a minor disturbance. The media also played a role, as many major newspapers and television networks initially ignored the story or framed it as a lawless takeover by radical activists. One concrete reason for the lack of attention is that the occupation occurred during a time of great social upheaval, with the Vietnam War and civil rights movement dominating the headlines. As a result, the story of the Alcatraz occupation was often relegated to the back pages or forgotten altogether. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Director J. Edgar Hoover, also monitored and harassed the activists, which further contributed to the suppression of their story.

The Ripple Effect

The occupation of Alcatraz led to concrete changes in the way the US government interacts with Native American communities. The activists' demands for greater autonomy and recognition of tribal sovereignty helped pave the way for the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, which allowed tribes to take control of their own affairs and make decisions about their lands and resources. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which was enacted in response to the high number of Native American children being removed from their families and placed in foster care. This law gives tribes greater control over child welfare decisions and prioritizes keeping Native American children in their families and communities.

The Line That Says It All

The Alcatraz occupation ended on June 11, 1971, when a team of federal marshals and FBI agents removed the last of the activists from the island.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the American Indian Movement and the occupation of Alcatraz.