Native Communities - Sociology 3270
Dr. Michèle Companion
Office: Columbine 1015
Phone: 255-4141
Office Hours: MW 12:15–1:15
Email: mcompani@uccs.edu
Course Overview:
This course provides a framework for understanding issues facing Native communities
and indigenous groups world wide. Historical experiences, social structures, collective
identities, access to resources, and long-term cultural survival are the essential elements
of this framework. To understand where we are today and issues into the future, we will
be examining the impacts of public policy and laws on these groups. In addition, we will
look at the impacts of international development policy on sovereignty movements and
continued access to traditional resources. Native America will be used as our base of
understanding and as a base of comparison to demonstrate commonalities and differences
in the development issues faced by indigenous peoples around the world.
Required Readings:
1. Who Owns Native Culture – Brown
2. Indigenous Peoples, Ethnic Groups and the State - Maybury-Lewis
3. Silent Victims: Hate Crimes Against Native Americans - Perry
4. Real Indians - Garroutte
5. Reading “packet” – Segments available on Companion’s Faculty Webpage
Course Assignments:
Critical Analyses
Annotated Bibliography
Participation
Attendance
Presentation (Group)
Paper (Group)
Total
15%
15
10
10
20
30
100%
Additional Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: You are required to attend all class meetings, as materials not in
the texts will be presented. Please be punctual. Absences may be excused with
a doctor’s note or verification of family emergency. However, you are still
responsible for obtaining the materials presented in class. Three unexcused
absences will result in the loss of one full grade.
If you are a military student with the potential of being called to military
service and /or training during the course of the semester, please contact me
no later than the first week of class
2. Classroom Etiquette:
Cell Phones MUST BE OFF during the lecture period.
There is a “Zero Tolerance” Policy in place for this course.
Computer/Technology use: Unless there is demonstrated need for technology
due to a documented learning or physical disability from Student Disability
Services, use of computers for note taking or tape recorders or Iphones for
recording is not allowed in the classroom. Unfortunately, previous technology
users have been tempted to multi-task. Surfing the web, checking Face Book, and
IMing are not appropriate classroom uses for computers. Neither is pod-casting or
You-tubing edited selections of the lecture. These actions result in distractions to
other students sitting in the area near the computer user, inappropriate use of
classroom resources, and privacy violations. To facilitate the ability of everyone
in the class to be free of such disruptions and distractions, there will be no
computer or technology use without proper documentation.
3. Class Preparation: Each student is expected to come to class prepared to
discuss the daily reading assignments. Students may be called upon to
summarize critical issues in the readings. Students will hand in a total of FIVE
1 - 2 page analytical summary of the major points of the readings on
Mondays. Be critical, analytical, and concise!
4. Class Participation: This class provides a great opportunity to be exposed to
a wide array of values and opinions on a number of important social issues.
Given the diversity of backgrounds and opinions in the class, not everyone
will agree on many things. I remind you that discussions should be kept civil
at all times.
Tentative Course Schedule:
N.B.: Regardless of where we are in lecture content, you are still responsible for keeping
up with the weekly readings. Due dates as listed in this syllabus are firm and not subject
to change.
Historical Background
Week 1 (Jan. 22): Review of Syllabus; Introductory concepts
For next week, Maybury-Lewis: 1-77
Week 2 (Jan. 27 – 29): Next week: historical overview continued
Maybury-Lewis: 81-135
Economic Consequences of National Policies/ Differential Access to and Exclusion
from Resources
Week 3 (Feb. 3 – 5): historical overview continued
In “Segment 1,” read Larson, Fletcher, Frickey – page 1175
Week 4 (Feb. 10 – 12): Social Pathologies –
Finish Frickey, Perry – page 1-74
Week 5 (Feb. 17 – 19): Physiological Pathologies: Malnutrition
Finish Perry, Read Companion: IRD Report
Week 6 (Feb. 24 – 26): Physiological Pathologies: Diseases – AIDS, Malaria, Diabetes
Read Segment 2 folder
Week 7 (March 3 – 5): Responses to disease
Read Segment 3 folder
Week 8 (March 10 – 12): Economics
Read Segment 4 folder
Due Monday: Summary and reflection - Return to the readings from the past 7 weeks
and address the following 3 questions:
1) What topics have the readings and lectures introduced to you that you had no
previous knowledge about?
2) Where there topics that you thought you knew about, but were introduced to
new information?
3) Have there been topics that you were aware of but had never thought about in
the way they were presented?
Week 9 (March 17 – 19): Politics and Political Disenfranchisement
Read Brown: 1 - 42
Week 10 (March 24 – 26): NO CLASSES – Spring Break!
Read Brown: 43 - 143
Positive Changes! The Sovereignty Movement
Week 11 (March 31 – April 2): Sovereignty Movement and Laws in the United
States/U.N. Decade of Indigenous Peoples
Finish Brown
Wednesday April 2: Team Research Day in the Library
Week 12 (April 7 – April 9): Identity and Cultural Reclamation
Garroutte: 1 – 81
* Annotated Bibliography Due Wednesday April 9*
Week 13 (April 14 – 16): Identity and Language reclamation
Finish Garroutte
Week 14 (April 21 – 23): Identity issues, cont.
Segment 5 folder
Week 15 (April 28 – 30): Economic Development – Gaming
Read Mason
PAPERS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY MAY 2 AT 12:00
*Peer reviews must be turned in by this time*
Week 16 (May 5 - 7):
* Presentations*
Annotated Bibliography
This exercise is designed to help you start linking the information you have discovered in
your resource search with some issues of law, policy, and/and or theory. For this
exercise, you will need to review 5 sociological journal articles.
Each annotated bibliography should contain the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The full citation of the piece you are using.
A brief paragraph describing the content of the piece.
A summary of the social or legal issues in the piece.
A link to relevant theory that has been assigned in the readings or discussed in
class.
Requirements 3 & 4 should be the primary focus of this assignment. In this section, you
will apply the critical and analytical skills you’ve been working on. Describe the issues
of law and/or the larger social or political issues. How would any of the theory that
you’ve read so far relate to this piece? How does this relate to your topic? How might it
inform the framework for analysis?
This section does not have to be pages long. Be concise and analytical. Be specific
about what theories might apply and how. Upon reading your annotated bibliography, I
should be able to have a good idea about how each piece relates to your larger topic and
what issues it clarifies.
NO Newspaper or magazine articles for this assignment
NO WIKIPEDIA EVER!!!
Final Paper/Presentation
This paper represents the culmination of your research effort. This paper should flow
together as one concise piece of work. This means that it will be presented in standard
essay format, with a cover page, introduction, conclusion, and references. Proper citation
methodology must be used – cite your quotes and paraphrasing.
What I am looking for is a concise, critical analysis of your topic. Your grade will be
based on the clarity of the writing, the logic of the arguments you make, and depth of
analysis. The paper should incorporate theory from both class and the readings.
The paper should be no more than 15 pages long. Be concise with your arguments. You
may use newspaper and magazine articles and books for the paper.
Presentations:
You have worked really hard on these projects, so the presentations give you the chance
to share your work and insights with the rest of the class. Presentations should be NO
MORE than 10 minutes. You should summarize the key findings of your research and
the theoretical applications to it. You will be graded on your ability to stay within your
time frame, the theoretical application, the analysis of the issue, and the clarity and
quality of your presentation.
NO WIKIPEDIA EVER!!!!!
Wikipedia is NOT a valid source in any way, shape, or form. If you cite this source, it is
an automatic 5 point deduction.
Timeline of American Indian Peoples
1000
Approximate date of the formation of the Iroquois League, the oldest
political alliance in North America. [Visit the Tree of Peace on Campus!]
Pre-Constitutional Precedents (1532 – 1789)
1638
The first reservation is established in Connecticut (for Quinnipiac Tribe)
1775
Colonists declare war against Great Britain. The Continental Congress
establishes Department of Indian Affairs, charged with preserving
“amiable relations” with indigenous tribes. Many tribes join forces with
the British with whom they already have treaties.
1777
U.S. Articles of Confederation assume authority over Indian affairs except
when the “legislative right of any State within its own limits [is] infringed
or violated.”
1778
First treaty is signed with the Delaware Nation. In exchange for access to
Delaware land by US troops, the US promises to defend and admit the
Delaware Nation as a state.
1787
Northwest Ordinance (Ch. 8, 1 Sta. 50) is the first policy statement
addressing the US government’s interpretation of Native American
political status.
1789
US Constitution: Article 1, section 8 grants Congress power to regulate
commerce among foreign nations and Indian tribes.
1789
Congress places Indian affairs under the War Department.
The Formative Years (1789 – 1887): Land Rights Issues, Treaties, and Sovereignty
1802
Congress appropriates over $10,000 for the “civilization” of Indians.
1803
Louisiana Purchase: US acquires land on which numerous tribes reside.
1810
Fletcher v. Peck, 10 US (6 Cranch) 87 (1810), addressed the question of
the legal status of Native land. They limit Native land rights based on the
doctrine of discovery, allowing tribes the right to occupy their land but not
cede it to foreign nations, a strong reduction in tribal sovereignty
1815
US begins process of removing Indians to western lands.
1816
Congress restricts license for trade with Indians to American citizens.
1823
Johnson v. McIntosh, 21 US (8Wheat) 543 (1823) significantly reduces
Indian sovereign status and property rights.
1824
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is created within the War Department.
1830
Andrew Jackson pushes his Indian Removal Act through Congress (Ch.
148, 4 Stat. 411).
1831
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 30 US (5 Pet.) 1 (1831), holds that tribes
are domestic dependent nations, not foreign nations.
1832
Worcester v. Georgia, 31 US (6 Pet.) 515 (1832), ensures the sovereignty
of the Cherokees. However, Andrew Jackson refuses to follow the
decision and initiates the westward removal of the Five Civilized Tribes
(Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole). The name
reflects the fact that these tribes modeled their governments after federal
and state institutions and had assimilated key aspects of white culture.
1835
Treaty of New Echota – Cherokees agree to westward removal.
1838
Cherokee Trail of Tears begins – members are forced to march 1,300
miles by US troops during winter without sufficient food, water, or
medicine. Over ¼ do not survive. Potawatomies of Indiana have a similar
experience on their Trail of Death.
1846
In United States v. Rogers, 45 US (4 How.) 567 (1846), USSC decides
first cases to limit tribal internal sovereignty.
1847
Pueblos in Taos, NM ally with Latinos to overthrow US rule.
1848
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends Mexican-American War and cedes
large amounts of land to US, bringing new tribes under US jurisdiction.
1849
Creation of the Department of the Interior. BIA is moved there.
1853
Gadsden Purchase: more tribes under US jurisdiction.
1854
Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muskogee, & Seminole form an alliance.
1858
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs begins to advocate for fixed,
permanent reservations, arguing that removal to unbounded areas is
preventing Native Americans from acquiring “settled habits.”
1859
In a concerted effort to civilize Native Americans, official policy shifts
away from removal by incorporating reservation clauses into treaty
negotiations.
1861
Civil War begins – tribes align on both sides.
1864
Over 8,000 Navajos are forcibly marched to Fort Sumner, NM (Navajo
Longest Walk). Survivors are released three years later.
1867
Indian Peace Commission finalizes treaty-making between US and tribes.
1871
Congress passes legislation that ends treat-making with tribes (Ch. 120, §
1, 16 Stat. 544 (codified as carried forward at 25 USC § 71)).
1883
Ex parte Crow Dog, 109 US 556 (1883): government response to the court
decision furthers reduction of internal tribal sovereignty.
1883
Creation of the Court of Indian Offenses by the BIA.
1884
Elk v. Wilkins, 112 US 94 (1884) holds that the 14th Amendment’s
guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the US does not apply to
Indians.
1885
Major Crimes Act (18 USC §§ 1153, 3242) restricts the scope of tribal
criminal law and places the internal affairs of tribes under the control of
Congress
1886
United States v. Kagama, 118 US 375 (1886) is the first statement of the
plenary power doctrine. Plenary power asserts that Congress is able to
restrict tribal sovereignty even without a constitutional basis.
Allotment and Assimilation (1887 – 1928)
1887
General Allotment Act (a.k.a., the Dawes Act) passes (25 USC §§ 331334, 339, 341, 342, 349, 354, 381).
1901
Congress passes the Citizenship Act of 1901, formally granting citizenship
to members of the Five Civilized Tribes .
1921
Congress passes the Snyder Act (25 USC § 13), appropriating money for
Indians under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior, regardless of
the amount of Indian blood or residence.
1924
Congress passes the Indian Citizenship Act (Ch. 233, 43 Stat. 253
(codified as carried forward at 8 USC § 1401).
Indian Reorganization (1928 – 1942)
1928
Meriam Report is published: examines the impact of federal Indian policy
and the Indian Bureau on tribal people. The results are staggering,
reporting that poverty, disease, and hopelessness are pervasive on most
reservations.
1934
Congress passes the Indian Reorganization Act (Ch. 576, 48 Stat. 984
(codified as amended at 25 USC §§ 461 et seq.), allowing for tribal selfgovernment. Concurrently, the Johnson-O’Malley Act (25 USC §§ 425 –
454) provides for general assistance to Indians.
Termination (1943 – 1961)
1944
Denver, CO: National Congress of American Indians is founded.
1948
Indians in AZ and NM win the right to vote in state elections.
1949
Hoover Commission recommends “termination,” mandating that Congress
no longer recognize Indian sovereignty.
1953
Congress passes H.R. Cong. Res. 108, giving CA, MN, NE, OR, and WI
legal jurisdiction over reservation, thus initiating the termination process.
1954
Five nations and sixty-one bands are terminated.
1955
Relocation Policy active.
Self-Determination (1961 – present)
1964
Under Title II of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88-452,
78 Stat. 508, 42 U.S.C. § 2701), the Office of Economic Opportunity’s
Community Action Programs (OEO/CAP) are established. These
programs are widely hailed as the precursor to the Self-Determination Act.
1968
Congress Passes the American Indian Civil Rights Act (25 U.S.C. §§
1301-03).
1968
American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded.
1969
Indian activists occupy Alcatraz Island.
1972
Trail of Broken Treaties March on Washington, D.C., ending with
occupation of the BIA building.
1973
Wounded Knee II occupation on Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.
1975
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL 93-638, 88
Sts. 2203, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq. as amended) passes.
1978
AIRFA passes (American Indian Religious Freedom Act, PL 95-341, 42
USC 1996 and 1996a)
1988
Congress officially repeals the Termination Policy.
1988
Indian Gambling Regulatory Act (Pub.L. 100-497, 25 U.S.C. § 2701 et
seq.) passes.
1990
NAGPRA passes (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act (104 STAT. 3048 PUBLIC LAW 101-601)
1994
"The Self-Governance Act of 1994" (P.L. 103-413) passes.