Events with tag - Tribal Sovereignty

May 28, 1830

Indian Removal Act

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a devastating U.S. legislation that forced Native American tribes to leave their ancestral lands in the Southeast for territories west of the Mississippi River, resulting in thousands of deaths during the infamous Trail of Tears.

May 28, 1838

The Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears was a tragic forced relocation of Native American tribes between 1831-1850, resulting in thousands of deaths. Under the Indian Removal Act, approximately 60,000 Native Americans were forced to leave their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States for territories in present-day Oklahoma.

June 2, 1924

Indian Citizenship Act

A landmark legislation that granted full U.S. citizenship to approximately 125,000 Native Americans who previously lacked this status, marking a pivotal moment in American civil rights history.

June 18, 1934

Indian Reorganization Act

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 was a pivotal legislation that ended the destructive allotment era and restored Native American tribal sovereignty. It provided framework for tribal self-governance, land restoration, and cultural preservation.

January 1, 1957

Native American Voting Rights Journey

Despite the 15th Amendment granting voting rights to all citizens in 1870, Native Americans faced systematic discrimination and were the last group to gain full voting rights in the United States, with Utah finally granting these rights in 1957.

July 28, 1968

American Indian Movement Founded

The American Indian Movement (AIM) was established in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a response to discrimination and police brutality against Native Americans. Founded by Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, George Mitchell, and Russell Means, the organization began with 200 members and grew into a nationwide movement for Indigenous rights.

November 20, 1969

Alcatraz Island Occupation

In November 1969, 89 Native American activists occupied Alcatraz Island for 19 months, transforming the abandoned federal prison into a symbol of Indigenous resistance and bringing national attention to Native American rights.

October 17, 1988

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was passed by Congress, establishing the first comprehensive federal framework for tribal gaming operations in the United States. This landmark legislation balanced tribal sovereignty with federal oversight and has led to a $34 billion gaming industry supporting hundreds of tribal communities.