Native Peoples of North America Season 1 Episode 22 Indian Termination or Self-Determination?

As Native Peoples of North America continues on with its first season, episode 22, titled Indian Termination or Self-Determination?, explores the growing tensions between the United States government and Native American tribes during the 1950s and 1960s.

During this time, the U.S. government implemented several policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American culture. One such policy was the Indian Termination Policy, which sought to end the special relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes.

At the heart of this policy was the belief that Native American tribes were hindering progress and development in the United States, and that assimilating them into mainstream culture would benefit both the tribes and the country as a whole. To achieve this goal, the government sought to terminate tribal sovereignty and force Native Americans to adopt American culture, language, and customs.

However, this policy was met with strong resistance from Native American tribes, who viewed it as an attack on their cultural heritage and way of life. In response, Native American activists began to push for self-determination, or the right to govern themselves and maintain their cultural traditions.

This episode examines the origins and consequences of these two divergent paths – the government's push for termination and Native Americans' demand for self-determination. It features interviews with historians, activists, and tribal leaders, as well as archival footage and photographs that help to tell the story of this pivotal time in Native American history.

Through the use of first-hand accounts and expert analysis, Indian Termination or Self-Determination? provides a nuanced and thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by Native American tribes during this turbulent period. It also explores the ways in which these struggles continue to impact Native American communities today, and offers valuable insight into the ongoing fight for tribal sovereignty and self-determination.