History and Culture

Key events in the history of Native Americans include more than a hundred and fifty years of interaction with white settlers. These events, often tragic and inaccurately documented, contain the historical roots of life today on the reservations in the Northern Plains and Southwest. Historical events continue to impact education in Indian Country today.

Northern Plains

• Wounded Knee
• Sand Creek
• Little Bighorn
• Ft. Laramie Treaty
• Sioux Wars
• Bozeman Trail War
• Self Determination Act
• Indian Religious Freedom Act
• Allotment Act
• Boarding Schools
• Termination Policy
• Battle of Slim Buttes
• Indian Removal Act
• Citizenship Act

Southwest

• Camp Grant Massacre
• Long Walk
• Trail of Tears
• Navajo War
• Pueblo Revolts
• Self Determination Act
• Indian Religious Freedom Act
• Allotment Act
• Boarding Schools
• Termination Policy
• Dust Bowl - Slaughter of Navajo Sheep
• Citizenship Act

Education

• 1776-1926: Indian education means "assimilation"
• The 1920s: John Collier leads reform
• The 1930s: Indian education values native culture
• The 1940s: A return to assimilation and away from cross cultural training
• The 1960s: And back again!
• The 1980s and '90s: Self-determination for American Indian schooling at risk
• The New Millennium: Will the goals be met this time?