The governments of the United States, Canada, and several Northwest Indian groups negotiate the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The agreement is a response to the dwindling numbers of salmon in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The salmon population is threatened by increasing commercial and recreational fishing in the area. All parties in the treaty agree to create a commission to oversee efforts to conserve and manage their shared salmon resources.
Junipero Serra is declared venerable over Indian objections.
The Catholic Church venerates Junipero Serra, the Franciscan priest who pioneered the mission system in California (see entry for 1769). The veneration was opposed by many California Indians and such groups as the Tekakwitha Conference (see entry for 1939) and the American Indian Historical Society (see entry for 1964). They charge that Serra advocated seizing Indian land, placing Indians in virtual slavery, suppressing their traditional religions, and converting them to Catholicism by force. Ignoring these continuing objections, the church in 1988 will declare Serra beatified, the second of the three steps toward canonization.
The Canadian Native Arts Foundation is founded.
Mohawk John Kim Bell, the first Indian to become a professional symphony conductor, establishes the Canadian Native Arts Foundation when, following an appearance in a 1983 television documentary, he is inundated with requests from Indian parents asking how their children can obtain training in the arts. The foundation, which grants college scholarships to Indian students, is financed through fund-raising performances of Native talent.
The Indigenous Women’s Network (IWN) is formed.
Organized by Oneida Ingrid Washinawakatak, a coalition of American Indian women comes together to create the Indigenous Women’s Network (IWN). The nonprofit organization’s goals are the revitalization of Indian languages, the protection of religious and cultural practices, environmental conservation, and the return of Indian land to Indian control. The IWN takes the stance that problems facing contemporary indigenous women around the world are best solved by reviving and applying traditional values and practices.
February 20
The Supreme Court reverses the Dann decision.
In United States v. Dann, the Western Shoshone Dann family, led by sisters Mary and Carrie, brought suit against the United States, because the government refused to allow the Danns to use their traditional grazing land near Beowawe, Nevada. The United States claimed it had gained possession of the land as a result of an Indian Claims Court settlement with the Western Shoshone (see entry for 1962). The Danns, however, maintained that they had never agreed to extinguish their land title. A federal court found in favor of the Danns, but the Supreme Court now reverses its decision. It holds that because the Western Shoshone as a group accepted the settlement, the Danns no longer own the lands they occupy. (See also entry for JULY 17, 2004.)
March 4
The Supreme Court allows the Oneida to sue New York State.
In County of Oneida v. Oneida Nation, the Oneida Nation argues that the state of New York violated the Trade and Intercourse Act (see entry for 1790) by seizing 100,000 acres of Oneida territory in 1795 without federal approval. The Supreme Court agrees and further finds that there is no statute of limitations to prevent the Oneida from pursuing their land claims in court. The landmark decision will open the door for eastern Indian groups to sue for lands taken from them in the 18th and 19 th centuries. (See also entries for DECEMBER 1998 and for MARCH 29, 2005.)
August to September
The Wind River Reservation suffers a rash of suicides.
Ranging in age from 18 to 25, nine young men—eight Arapaho and one Shoshone—kill themselves on the Wind River Reservation in central Wyoming. The deaths are attributed to poverty, alcoholism, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness among the reservation’s young. To end the suicides, elders call the 5,000 Wind River residents together to perform the Paint Ceremony, a powerful cleansing ritual that was last held in 1918 to stem a lethal flu epidemic.
September
Alaska Native Review Commission issues its report on Native land issues.
Formed to study the effects of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, (ANCSA) the Alaska Native Review Commission (see entry for SEPTEMBER 1983) summarizes its findings in Village Journey. Based on the testimony of approximately 15,000 Natives, the report records their concerns about maintaining control over their lands, protecting their natural resources, and preserving their culture. In the commission’s analysis of their comments, it finds fault with the ANCSA for forming corporations as the legal owners of the 44 million acres the act awarded to Natives (see entry for DECEMBER 18, 1971). It recommends that the land title be transferred to tribal governments, so that land and water use can be regulated in a way more in keeping with traditional beliefs and customs.
December 14
Wilma Mankiller becomes the first female principal chief of the Cherokee.
In 1983 activist and administrator Wilma Mankiller became the first woman elected deputy chief, the second-highest position in the Cherokee tribal government. Two years later, she makes history again when she becomes the first female principal chief. The post was held by Ross Swimmer, who resigns when he is appointed the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Although initially greeted with skepticism by more conservative Cherokee, Mankiller will prove to be a highly popular chief. She will be reelected in 1987 and 1991, winning the latter election with 82 percent of the vote. Mankiller will retire from tribal politics in 1995, citing health problems.
P
“With all of the progressive work we do in economic development, protection of tribal rights and in running a very complex organization, we must not forget who we are. We must pay attention to the protection and preservation
Of tribal culture____In the past,
Promotion of tribal culture has been viewed as a function of the community and family, not of tribal government. But we've reached a point where we need to assume a leadership role. We need to explore what we as a government can do to promote and protect our culture.”
—Wilma Mankiller at her 1987 inaugural as principal chief of the Cherokee
World History
