Primary Sources: The 1970s: Alcatraz Occupation

Native Americans discuss their occupation of Alcatraz. Moderated by John Trudell and John Adair.

"Using language developed during the Indian Tribes' occupation of Alcatraz from November 1969 to June 1971, the Alcatraz Proclamation addresses the US government—and more broadly the history of white settlers—with demands based on historical precedents and to call attention to the conditions Indians live in."

"Founded in July 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the American Indian Movement (AIM) is an American Indian advocacy group organized to address issues related to sovereignty, leadership, and treaties. Particularly in its early years, AIM also protested racism and civil rights violations against Native Americans. During the 1950s, increasing numbers of American Indians had been forced to move away from reservations and tribal culture because of federal Indian termination policies intended to assimilate them into mainstream American culture. Founders of AIM included Mary Jane Wilson, Dennis Banks, Vernon Bellecourt, Clyde Bellecourt, and George Mitchell, while other activists like Russell Means worked with the organization prominently in the 1970s.

AIM staged a number of protest actions on historically significant sites of injustice and violence perpetrated by the federal government against Native Americans. These protests included the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1970, protests at the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1972, the occupation of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1973, and the Longest Walk spiritual march from Alcatraz to Washington, DC to support tribal sovereignty and bring attention to anti-Indian legislation in 1978. AIM continues its work to the present day, speaking out against injustices and working to improve conditions for Native Americans. This primary source set uses documents, photographs, videos, and news stories to tell the story of the first decade of the American Indian Movement."

KPIX's Jay Newburn reports from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, where the vessel Sea Rogue is shown being used to ferry people to and from the occupied island of Alcatraz. Newburn interviews Harvey Wells, who has led a group of American Indians from Los Angeles to support the occupation. Wells declares that: "We're taking our cue from direct action and other movements throughout the world we've observed and we've decided it's time for us to govern the destiny of our people ... We're waiting for the rebirth of a new nation of Indians and the dawning of a new day for our people."

"A KQED news report from Alcatraz featuring the American Indian occupation of the island, on November 24th 1969. Includes interviews with Dennis Turner, Richard Oakes and LaNada Means. Oakes confirms there there is no outbreak of hepatitis amongst the population and Turner states they're determined to remain there for 10 years if necessary, to defend their property rights. When LaNada Means is asked by a reporter if their protest has any connection with the Third World Liberation Front she replies: "Well, this is a Native American struggle." She describes the occupation as an attempt to make the federal government honor the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and claims the failure of Walter Hickel (Secretary of the Interior) to respond to their November 20th proclamation was expected. She also points out that whilst living conditions for the protesters are very basic, this is in fact: "Average for an Indian way of life anyway. Now, I mean today.""

"The Indian occupation of Alcatraz. November 29th, 1969. Doris Purdy, my mother, worked at the Indian Bureau in Berkeley and went with some of the Indians to Alcatraz. There were some comments about her blue eyes, but she was more or less accepted. She said her mother was a Sioux. She used a 16 millimeter movie camera. Since her death the film belongs to me legally.
Prof.George Purdy, University of Cincinnati"

"Local newsfilm and documentaries relating to the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-71)."

Anthropology News
Volume11, Issue2
February 1970