Legislation & Activism

 

During the mid-1900s, the emergence of the American Indian Movement (AIM) marked a pivotal moment in Native American history, paving the way for legislative actions that facilitated language revitalization efforts. This movement arose in response to termination and assimilation policies aimed at annihilating indigenous culture entirely. The resilience exhibited during the powerful movements of the 1960s and beyond effectively influenced legislative measures that supported the revitalization of indigenous languages. 

American Indian Movement

The American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968.  It organized protests and articulated demands to the federal government.  AIM orchestrated significant events such as the occupation of Mt. Rushmore and Alcatraz Island, control of the Mayflower II, and the caravan known as the Trail of Broken Treaties to Washington D.C., each with specific demands.By raising awareness about the importance of language as a component of cultural identity, AIM helped generate wider support for language revitalization projects both within Native communities and in the broader public.  The activism of AIM members and their allies was instrumental in pushing for legislative changes that supported language preservation efforts.1

1978 photograph from the American Indian Movement’s Longest Walk that concluded at the National Mall

Legislation

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act 1978 overturned the 1883 Code of Indian offenses.  Resulted from AIM’s pressure on the federal government.  The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution had not been extended to protect indigenous populations free exercise of religion so this Act works to protect their right.  It reads “It shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise” their traditional religions.2 Using indigenous languages is part of expressing and exercising the religions.

Other legislation such as the 1972 Education Act and the 1975 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act aided the path toward revitalizing the Lakota language.3

 

The Native American Languages Act of 1990 marked a significant shift from the 1868 boarding school policy that mandated Native children to speak only English in educational settings. This transformative act declares, “it is the policy of the United States to preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use, practice, and develop Native American Languages.” 4

This legislation empowered tribes to designate their languages as the official languages of their nations and encouraged public schools to acknowledge proficiency in these languages. Furthermore, in 1992, the act facilitated the support of Native American language instruction in public schools through dedicated funding, underscoring a commitment to revitalizing and sustaining these vital cultural heritages.5

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act 1993 further restricted government interference in religious practice.  It also amended the AIRFA to include peyote.6

With the passing of this legislation driven by the AIM and persistent activism, the revitalization of the Lakota language was made possible.

  1. Finkelman, Paul, and Tim Alan Garrison, eds. Encyclopedia Of United States Indian Policy and Law, Vol. 1. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2009. ↩
  2. Finkelman, Paul, and Tim Alan Garrison, eds. Encyclopedia Of United States Indian Policy and Law, Vol. 1. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2009. ↩
  3. “Heart of All Oglala Lakota.” Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.heartofallohp.com. ↩
  4. Finkelman, Paul, and Tim Alan Garrison, eds. Encyclopedia Of United States Indian Policy and Law, Vol. 1. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2009. ↩
  5. Finkelman, Paul, and Tim Alan Garrison, eds. Encyclopedia Of United States Indian Policy and Law, Vol. 1. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2009. ↩
  6. Finkelman, Paul, and Tim Alan Garrison, eds. Encyclopedia Of United States Indian Policy and Law, Vol. 2. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2009. ↩