The Future of Native American Policy

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 70 views

The End of the Treaty-Making Process: Reservations in the United States

The history of the United States is marked by a complex and often tumultuous relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes. One of the key aspects of this relationship was the treaty-making process, which was used to establish reservations and govern the interactions between the government and Native American communities. However, this process eventually came to an end, and reservations were reorganized in a way that had significant impacts on the lives of Native Americans.

The Treaty-Making Process

The treaty-making process was a system used by the United States government to establish relationships with Native American tribes and to govern the interactions between the government and these communities. This process began in the early 19th century, when the government began to establish treaties with Native American tribes in an effort to secure their land and resources. These treaties typically involved the transfer of land from the Native American tribe to the federal government, in exchange for goods, services, and other forms of compensation.

The treaty-making process was a complex and often contentious process, with both the government and Native American tribes having different interests and goals. The government was interested in securing land and resources, while Native American tribes were interested in protecting their sovereignty and way of life. As a result, the treaty-making process was often marked by conflict and negotiation, with both sides seeking to achieve their goals.

The End of the Treaty-Making Process

The treaty-making process eventually came to an end in the late 19th century, as the government began to shift its approach to Native American policy. In 1871, the government passed the Indian Appropriations Act, which effectively ended the treaty-making process and established a new system of governance for Native American tribes. Under this system, the government would no longer enter into treaties with Native American tribes, but would instead use other means to govern their relationships.

Reservations and the "Checkerboard" System

As the treaty-making process came to an end, the government began to reorganize reservations in a way that had significant impacts on the lives of Native Americans. One of the key features of this reorganization was the "checkerboard" system, in which reservations were divided into small parcels of land that were often interspersed with non-Native American land. This system was designed to allow the government to control the movement of Native Americans and to prevent them from leaving their reservations.

The "checkerboard" system was a significant departure from the previous system of reservations, in which Native American tribes had been given large tracts of land to govern themselves. Under the new system, reservations were fragmented and divided, making it difficult for Native Americans to maintain their sovereignty and way of life.

The Impact of the "Checkerboard" System

The "checkerboard" system had significant impacts on the lives of Native Americans, particularly in terms of their ability to govern themselves and to maintain their cultural identity. By dividing reservations into small parcels of land, the government was able to exert greater control over the movement of Native Americans and to prevent them from leaving their reservations.

The "checkerboard" system also had significant economic impacts on Native American communities. By dividing reservations into small parcels of land, the government was able to create a system in which Native Americans were forced to compete with non-Native Americans for resources and economic opportunities. This created significant economic disparities between Native American and non-Native American communities, and had long-lasting impacts on the economic well-being of Native American communities.

Conclusion

The end of the treaty-making process and the reorganization of reservations in the United States had significant impacts on the lives of Native Americans. The "checkerboard" system, in particular, had significant impacts on the ability of Native Americans to govern themselves and to maintain their cultural identity. As the United States continues to grapple with the legacy of its treatment of Native American communities, it is essential to understand the complex history of the treaty-making process and the reorganization of reservations.

The Legacy of the Treaty-Making Process

The legacy of the treaty-making process and the reorganization of reservations continues to be felt in the United States today. Many Native American communities continue to struggle with the impacts of the "checkerboard" system, including economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities.

However, there are also many efforts underway to address the legacy of the treaty-making process and to promote greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities. These efforts include the establishment of tribal sovereignty and self-governance, as well as initiatives to promote economic development and cultural preservation.

The Future of Native American Policy

As the United States continues to grapple with the legacy of its treatment of Native American communities, it is essential to consider the future of Native American policy. This includes promoting greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities, as well as addressing the significant economic and social disparities that continue to exist between Native American and non-Native American communities.

Ultimately, the future of Native American policy will depend on the ability of the government to work in partnership with Native American communities to address the complex and often contentious issues that have arisen from the treaty-making process and the reorganization of reservations. By working together, it is possible to create a more just and equitable society for all Americans, including Native American communities.

References

Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1904)
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (U.S. Congress, 1934)
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (U.S. Congress, 1975)
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (U.S. Congress, 1990)
The Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994 (U.S. Congress, 1994)

Discussion Questions

What were the key features of the treaty-making process in the United States?
How did the end of the treaty-making process impact Native American communities?
What were the key features of the "checkerboard" system, and how did it impact Native American communities?
What are the ongoing impacts of the "checkerboard" system on Native American communities?
What are some potential solutions to address the legacy of the treaty-making process and promote greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities?

Glossary

Treaty-making process: The system used by the United States government to establish relationships with Native American tribes and to govern the interactions between the government and these communities.
Reservation: A tract of land set aside for the use of a Native American tribe.
Checkerboard system: A system in which reservations are divided into small parcels of land that are often interspersed with non-Native American land.
Tribal sovereignty: The right of a Native American tribe to govern itself and make its own decisions.
Self-governance: The ability of a Native American tribe to govern itself and make its own decisions, without the interference of the federal government.
Q&A: The Treaty-Making Process and the Reorganization of Reservations

Q: What was the treaty-making process, and how did it impact Native American communities?

A: The treaty-making process was a system used by the United States government to establish relationships with Native American tribes and to govern the interactions between the government and these communities. This process began in the early 19th century, when the government began to establish treaties with Native American tribes in an effort to secure their land and resources. However, the treaty-making process was often marked by conflict and negotiation, with both sides seeking to achieve their goals. The end of the treaty-making process had significant impacts on Native American communities, including the loss of land and resources, and the erosion of tribal sovereignty.

Q: What was the "checkerboard" system, and how did it impact Native American communities?

A: The "checkerboard" system was a system in which reservations were divided into small parcels of land that were often interspersed with non-Native American land. This system was designed to allow the government to control the movement of Native Americans and to prevent them from leaving their reservations. The "checkerboard" system had significant impacts on Native American communities, including economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities.

Q: How did the end of the treaty-making process impact Native American communities?

A: The end of the treaty-making process had significant impacts on Native American communities, including the loss of land and resources, and the erosion of tribal sovereignty. The government's shift from a treaty-based system to a system of governance that emphasized assimilation and termination had devastating consequences for Native American communities. Many Native American communities were forced to relocate, and their traditional ways of life were disrupted.

Q: What are some potential solutions to address the legacy of the treaty-making process and promote greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities?

A: There are several potential solutions to address the legacy of the treaty-making process and promote greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities. These include:

Promoting tribal sovereignty and self-governance
Addressing economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities
Providing education and cultural preservation programs to promote Native American culture and identity
Encouraging greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities through dialogue and education

Q: What is tribal sovereignty, and how does it impact Native American communities?

A: Tribal sovereignty is the right of a Native American tribe to govern itself and make its own decisions. This includes the right to self-governance, which allows tribes to make their own decisions about their lands, resources, and communities. Tribal sovereignty is essential to the well-being and prosperity of Native American communities, as it allows them to maintain their cultural identity and way of life.

Q: What is self-governance, and how does it impact Native American communities?

A: Self-governance is the ability of a Native American tribe to govern itself and make its own decisions, without the interference of the federal government. This includes the right to manage their own lands, resources, and communities, and to make their own decisions about their economic and social development. Self-governance is essential to the well-being and prosperity of Native American communities, as it allows them to maintain their cultural identity and way of life.

Q: What are some of the ongoing impacts of the "checkerboard" system on Native American communities?

A: The "checkerboard" system continues to have significant impacts on Native American communities, including economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities. Many Native American communities continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare. The "checkerboard" system also continues to disrupt traditional ways of life, as Native American communities are forced to adapt to a system that is designed to assimilate and terminate them.

Q: What are some potential solutions to address the ongoing impacts of the "checkerboard" system?

A: There are several potential solutions to address the ongoing impacts of the "checkerboard" system, including:

Promoting economic development and job creation in Native American communities
Providing education and cultural preservation programs to promote Native American culture and identity
Encouraging greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities through dialogue and education
Addressing economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities through policy and programmatic changes.

Q: What is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and how does it impact Native American communities?

A: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law that requires the return of Native American cultural items, including human remains and funerary objects, to their communities of origin. NAGPRA has had a significant impact on Native American communities, as it has allowed them to reclaim their cultural heritage and to honor their ancestors. However, the implementation of NAGPRA has also been marked by controversy and conflict, as some institutions and individuals have resisted the return of cultural items.

Q: What is the Tribal Self-Governance Act, and how does it impact Native American communities?

A: The Tribal Self-Governance Act is a federal law that allows Native American tribes to take control of their own affairs and to make their own decisions about their lands, resources, and communities. The Act has had a significant impact on Native American communities, as it has allowed them to promote their own economic and social development and to maintain their cultural identity and way of life. However, the implementation of the Act has also been marked by controversy and conflict, as some institutions and individuals have resisted the transfer of power and authority to Native American communities.

Q: What are some of the ongoing challenges facing Native American communities today?

A: There are several ongoing challenges facing Native American communities today, including:

Economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities
Limited access to education and healthcare
Disruption of traditional ways of life
Ongoing impacts of the "checkerboard" system
Resistance to tribal sovereignty and self-governance
Ongoing impacts of historical trauma and intergenerational trauma.

Q: What are some potential solutions to address the ongoing challenges facing Native American communities?

A: There are several potential solutions to address the ongoing challenges facing Native American communities, including:

Promoting economic development and job creation in Native American communities
Providing education and cultural preservation programs to promote Native American culture and identity
Encouraging greater understanding and reconciliation between the government and Native American communities through dialogue and education
Addressing economic disparities and limited access to resources and economic opportunities through policy and programmatic changes.
Promoting tribal sovereignty and self-governance through policy and programmatic changes.
Addressing historical trauma and intergenerational trauma through education, counseling, and other forms of support.