Native American self-determination refers to the social movements, legislation, and beliefs by which the tribes in the United States (US) exercise self-governance and decision making on issues that affect their own people. "Self-determination" is meant to reverse the paternalistic policies enacted upon Native American tribes since the US government created treaties and established the reservation system. The nations want to control their own affairs. Self-determination is the means by which a tribe implements its sovereign powers. The movement gained strength in the 1930s and since the 1960s, when American Indian activism gained important changes between the nations and the US government. Tribes have established many new institutions, such as tribal colleges and universities, that help them preserve their cultures.
Read more about Native American Self-determination: Origin of The Concept of Self-determination, Leaders of The Self-determination Movement, Organizations, Institutional Capacity
Famous quotes containing the words native and/or american:
“There is too much sour grapes for my taste in the present American attitude. The time to denounce the bankers was when we were all feeding off their gold plate; not now! At present they have not only my sympathy but my preference. They are the last representatives of our native industries.”
—Edith Wharton (1862–1937)
“... his voice and hands,
Within whose warm spring rain of loving care
Each dwells some twenty seconds. Now, dear child,
What’s wrong, the deep American voice demands,
And, scarcely pausing, goes into a prayer
Directing God about this eye, that knee.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)