Hi everyone. Recently, in my research, I came across an interesting piece of history that I had never heard about.
Did you know that in 1969 a group of Native American students took over Alcatraz Island and occupied it for 19 months?
Within the terms of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty was a clause that allowed for the appropriation of unused public land by Sioux Indians.
While the treaty formed the legal basis for their actions, the justification for the occupation goes much deeper.
I've borrowed a few clips from other sources because the people who were there can obviously describe it much better than I ever could. Please enjoy the video.
We know the government is corrupt and greedy, so they steal from people. They steal money, natural resources and even people's land with no hesitation.
But what I don't understand is what drives them to systematically destroy a culture? What is the motive for eliminating a people's beliefs, their connection to their ancestors and their connection to each other?
The Native Americans at Alcatraz may not have succeeded in taking back the island, but they accomplished the larger mission of waking up many of their brothers and sisters to reconnecting with their heritage. And we saw the termination policy, which sought to eliminate Indian Reservations all together, was ended as a result of their efforts. So has the government stayed the course since then?
In the video, we wrap up with the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and we see hundreds of people braving harsh conditions to stand up, yet again, against another treaty violation by the United States government.
So, I wanted to share this moment in history because I find it inspiring to see people take control of their destiny. But also because, like I said at the beginning, it's interesting to me that I had never heard this piece of history until very recently. Not that I want to parade my own ignorance for everyone to see… I guess I just wanted to ask you all: why do you think these moments in time are stamped out and swept under the rug?
Who do you think really holds the power in this world? If it's them; our so-called leaders, then why do they work so hard to control us?
… And what would happen if we stop making it so easy for them?
All credit for the videos used in this compilation goes to the original owners linked in the original videos, below. This video was created for educational purposes only.
FAIR USE
The Occupation of Alcatraz that Sparked an American Revolution:
We Hold the Rock:
RR7012B ALCATRAZ: AN AMERICAN INDIAN DREAM:
