Native American Studies > Reference Tools By Topic

Civil Rights and Protest Movements

The Native civil rights movement began with the founding of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968.  AIM began as a rallying group for the rights of Indians living in urban areas, and initiated a series of protests and confrontations that continued into the 1970s, including a controversial incident at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1973. Many recent civil cases have centered on tribal autonomy and federal enrollment.

American Indian Civil Rights Handbook. 2nd edition. Washington, D.C.: United States Commission on Civil Rights; Supt. of Docs, U.S. G.P.O., 1980.  HBC 86-3137
Important compilation on the extensive legislation enacted to aid Natives working through the complexities of their legal status.

[Collection of Documents Relating to the Indian Protest March and Occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Offices in 1972]. Washington: s.n., 1972.  HBC+ 79-2977
Primary source material on this significant demonstration.

Deloria, Vine. Behind the Trail of Broken Treaties: An Indian Declaration of Independence. New York: Delacorte, 1974.  HBC 75-2048
Classic study of the failures in bringing full civil rights to Native peoples. 

Deloria, Vine. Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto. New York: Macmillan, 1970.  HBC 73-467
Primary source for the ideas behind the development of the American Indian civil rights movement.

Encyclopedia of American Indian Civil Rights. Edited by James S. Olson et al. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997. *R- KF8210 C5 E53 1997

Nagel, Joane. American Indian Ethnic Renewal: Red Power and the Resurgence of Identity and Culture. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.  HBC 96-8195
Documents the successes and failures sustained by Native individuals and groups.

Native American Cultural and Religious Freedoms. Edited by John R. Wunder. New York: Garland, 1996.  HBC 97-7489

Pevar, Stephen L. The Rights of Indians and Tribes: The Basic ACLU Guide to Indian and Tribal Rights. 2nd edition. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1992. HBC 92-8143

Useful update to civil rights developments.