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.

In November 1969 a group of Native American activists made history by occupying Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. This bold 19-month protest brought national attention to the struggles of Indigenous peoples and became a defining moment in the Native American civil rights movement.

The occupation transformed the abandoned federal prison into a symbol of Indigenous resistance and self-determination. Led by Richard Oakes and other activists from the "Indians of All Tribes" organization they claimed the island under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. The protestors demanded the return of Native lands and called for better treatment of Indigenous communities across America.

Native American activists landed on Alcatraz Island on November 20, 1969, establishing control over the former federal prison site. A group of 89 Native Americans from various tribes, led by Mohawk student Richard Oakes, claimed the island under the Fort Laramie Treaty.

• Established radio broadcasts through "Radio Free Alcatraz" on December 22, 1969
• Created community facilities including a clinic, school, nursery, communal kitchen
• Developed plans for an Indian university, cultural center, museum
• Built sustainable systems for electricity, water treatment, waste management
• Organized daily council meetings to address community needs

Category	Statistics
Peak Population	400 people
Average Population	150 people
Participating Tribes	20+ tribes
Core Leadership	12 members
Children Residents	30+

• Federal officials cut power to the island in May 1970

• Coast Guard established blockades to prevent supply deliveries

• Department of Interior negotiated with occupiers through 1970

• Government maintained non-violent approach to end occupation

• Federal marshals removed remaining 15 occupiers on June 11, 1971

• Creation of Indian Self-Determination Policy in 1970

• Return of 48,000 acres of land to Taos Pueblo in 1970

• Establishment of Native American studies programs

• Increased funding for Indigenous education programs

• Development of 45 Indigenous cultural centers nationwide

The occupation ended on June 11, 1971, after 19 months of Indigenous control over Alcatraz Island. Federal authorities removed the remaining occupiers, marking the conclusion of this significant protest movement.

The Red Power Movement emerged in the 1960s as a significant Native American civil rights campaign that advocated for tribal sovereignty and self-determination. This movement gained momentum through organized protests, occupations, and demonstrations that challenged federal policies affecting Indigenous communities.

The Indians of All Tribes (IAT) formed in 1969 as a pan-tribal activist group dedicated to advancing Native American rights. Led by Richard Oakes, LaNada Means, and John Trudell, the organization brought together Indigenous students from various tribes at San Francisco State University. IAT established a structured leadership model with committees focused on education, security, housing, and public relations, creating a blueprint for future Indigenous activism.

Native American activists launched three attempts to occupy Alcatraz Island before the successful 1969 takeover. The first attempt occurred in 1964 when five Sioux members claimed the island under the Fort Laramie Treaty. A second attempt took place on March 9, 1964, involving 40 protesters who stayed for four hours. The third attempt in November 1969 included 14 activists who remained overnight before authorities removed them. These initial protests established crucial tactical experience for the historic 19-month occupation that followed.

Occupation Attempt	Date	Number of Participants	Duration
First Attempt	1964	5	Several hours
Second Attempt	March 9, 1964	40	4 hours
Third Attempt	November 1969	14	1 day

The Native American occupation of Alcatraz transformed the abandoned federal prison into a symbol of Indigenous resistance from November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971. The occupiers established a functioning community while advocating for Indigenous rights and self-determination.

On November 20, 1969, 89 Native American activists landed on Alcatraz Island at 2:00 AM under the cover of darkness. The group bypassed Coast Guard patrols in fishing boats chartered from local supporters. Richard Oakes led the initial landing party, which included students from UCLA San Francisco State University. The occupiers immediately issued their "Proclamation to the Great White Father," claiming the island by "right of discovery" with an offer to purchase it for $24 in glass beads and red cloth.

Initial Occupation Statistics
Number of Initial Occupiers	89
Time of Landing	2:00 AM
Date	November 20, 1969
Peak Population	400

The occupiers created essential community structures within the former prison facilities. They established:

• A community kitchen serving three meals daily to residents
• A health clinic staffed by volunteer medical professionals
• A school named "Big Rock School" for children
• A security force monitoring entrance points
• A public relations office managing media communications
• A radio station broadcasting "Radio Free Alcatraz"

Living conditions included:

• Sleeping quarters in former guard housing units
• Communal gathering spaces in the main cell block
• Water collection systems from rain
• Generator-powered electricity after federal utilities were cut
• Transportation via private boats for supplies

The population fluctuated between 50-400 residents throughout the occupation, representing members from over 20 tribal nations. Core leadership maintained organization through:

• Daily council meetings

• Task force assignments

• Community-wide gatherings

• Resource distribution systems

• Cultural education programs

• Cutting power supply on May 29, 1970

• Removing the lighthouse beacon

• Blocking supply deliveries

• Limiting boat access to the island

The occupation of Alcatraz brought together several influential Native American leaders who shaped the movement's direction and impact. Their combined efforts established a unified front that attracted national attention to Indigenous rights.

Richard Oakes, a 27-year-old Mohawk student from San Francisco State University, emerged as the primary spokesperson for the Alcatraz occupation. He organized the initial landing party of 14 activists on November 9, 1969, followed by the successful occupation on November 20. As head of the Alcatraz Council, Oakes implemented a governance structure that included departments for security, housing, education, cooking, sanitation, transportation, laundry, and childcare. His leadership ended in January 1970 after his stepdaughter's tragic death on the island.

LaNada War Jack, a Bannock student at UC Berkeley, served as the first student to enroll in the university's Native American Studies Program. She coordinated vital administrative functions during the occupation, including:

• Managed communication between occupiers and government officials
• Organized supply deliveries from mainland supporters
• Developed educational programs for children on the island
• Coordinated media relations and press conferences
• Maintained documentation of the occupation's daily activities

As one of the original occupiers, War Jack remained on Alcatraz for the entire 19-month duration, making her one of the longest-serving leaders of the movement. Her organizational skills proved essential in maintaining the occupation's momentum after Oakes's departure.

Leader	Role	Duration of Involvement
Richard Oakes	Head of Council	Nov 1969 - Jan 1970
LaNada War Jack	Administrative Coordinator	Nov 1969 - June 1971

The federal government implemented a strategic approach to address the Alcatraz occupation through diplomatic channels while maintaining a policy of non-violent containment.

President Nixon's administration adopted a "wait-it-out" strategy toward the Alcatraz occupation, avoiding direct confrontation with the protesters. The White House instructed federal agencies to maintain a peaceful presence through the Coast Guard's monitoring of the island's perimeter. Robert Robertson, appointed as the lead federal negotiator in December 1969, offered the occupiers a $300,000 grant to establish a cultural center off the island.

The federal negotiations with the occupiers reached an impasse by March 1970. Government officials presented three formal proposals:

• Creation of a Native American university on the mainland
• Establishment of an Indigenous cultural complex in San Francisco
• Development of a park celebrating Native American heritage

Date	Government Action	Impact
Dec 1969	Initial $300,000 offer	Rejected by occupiers
Jan 1970	Power and water cutoff	Reduced island population
Mar 1970	Three alternative proposals	No agreement reached
May 1970	Supply blockade implementation	Limited resource access

The government's tactics included:

• Restricting supply boats from reaching the island
• Maintaining Coast Guard patrols
• Documenting occupier activities
• Intercepting unauthorized visitors
• Controlling media access to the site

The stalemate continued until June 1971 when federal marshals removed the remaining 15 occupiers from Alcatraz, ending the 19-month occupation through tactical intervention rather than negotiated resolution.

The Alcatraz occupation catalyzed significant changes in federal Native American policy and shifted public perception of Indigenous rights movements. The 19-month protest prompted immediate legislative reforms and sparked lasting cultural transformations.

The occupation directly influenced President Nixon's Indian Self-Determination Policy of 1970. This landmark legislation ended the termination policy that dissolved tribal recognition and returned 48,000 acres of sacred land to the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. Federal agencies established Indigenous advisory boards, created 50 new Native American studies programs at universities, and allocated $226 million for tribal development projects. The Bureau of Indian Affairs increased Native American employment from 2,500 to 12,000 positions between 1969-1974.

The Alcatraz protest transformed mainstream media coverage of Indigenous issues. National newspapers published 400+ articles about Native American rights during the occupation, compared to 35 in the previous year. Native American cultural centers emerged in 15 major cities by 1975. The occupation inspired 70+ similar protests across the country, including the Trail of Broken Treaties march in 1972. Educational institutions incorporated Indigenous perspectives, with 35 colleges establishing Native American studies departments by 1974. Annual ceremonies on Un-Thanksgiving Day at Alcatraz commemorate the occupation, drawing 3,000+ participants each year.

Impact Statistics	Before Occupation (1969)	After Occupation (1974)
BIA Native Employment	2,500	12,000
Media Coverage (Articles)	35	400+
Native Studies Programs	0	50
Cultural Centers	3	15

• The Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island lasted 19 months, from November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971, involving activists from over 20 tribes
• The protest was led by Richard Oakes and the "Indians of All Tribes" organization, who claimed the island under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868
• During the occupation, activists established community facilities including a clinic, school, radio station, and kitchen, with the population ranging from 50-400 residents
• The protest significantly influenced federal policy, leading to Nixon's Indian Self-Determination Policy and the return of 48,000 acres to Taos Pueblo
• The occupation's impact extended beyond policy changes, sparking nationwide Indigenous activism and leading to increased Native American representation in education and government

The 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island stands as a watershed moment in Native American civil rights history. This bold action transformed federal policy sparked nationwide Indigenous activism and fundamentally changed how America viewed Native American issues.

The legacy of this occupation continues to resonate today through expanded Indigenous education programs cultural centers and annual commemorative events. What began as a protest became a powerful catalyst for change demonstrating how organized peaceful resistance can lead to meaningful social and political transformation.

The spirit of the Alcatraz occupation lives on inspiring new generations to advocate for Indigenous rights and self-determination. It's a testament to the enduring impact that determined activists can have when they stand united for justice and equality.