Indian Relocation Act

Definition

The Indian Relocation Act, enacted in 1956, was a U.S. law aimed at encouraging Native Americans to leave reservations and integrate into urban areas by providing job training and relocation assistance. This act reflected a broader policy shift toward assimilation during the mid-20th century, signaling a departure from previous strategies that focused on maintaining tribal sovereignty and culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Indian Relocation Act was part of a broader movement by the federal government during the 1950s to assimilate Native Americans into American society, reflecting prevailing attitudes of the time.
2. Many Native Americans faced significant hardships as a result of the act, including loss of cultural identity and inadequate support in urban environments.
3. The act offered financial incentives, job training, and housing assistance, but many who relocated found it difficult to find stable employment and integrate successfully into urban life.
4. This act contributed to significant population shifts, with large numbers of Native Americans moving to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.
5. In the long run, the act had lasting effects on Native American communities, leading to increased activism for rights and recognition during the 1960s and 1970s.

Review Questions

• How did the Indian Relocation Act reflect the U.S. government's changing policies towards Native Americans during the mid-20th century?
  • The Indian Relocation Act illustrated a significant shift in U.S. policy from one that recognized tribal sovereignty and promoted cultural preservation to a strategy focused on assimilation. By encouraging Native Americans to leave reservations for urban areas, the government aimed to integrate them into mainstream society while undermining tribal identity. This change reflected broader societal beliefs that assimilation was necessary for Native Americans to succeed in American life.
• Discuss the impact of the Indian Relocation Act on Native American communities and their cultural identities.
  • The Indian Relocation Act had profound effects on Native American communities, often leading to a crisis of identity as many individuals struggled with the transition from traditional reservation life to urban environments. Many relocated individuals faced economic hardships and cultural disconnection, which contributed to a sense of loss regarding their heritage. The challenges posed by urban life also galvanized activism among Native Americans seeking to reclaim their rights and foster a renewed sense of identity amidst these changes.
• Evaluate how the legacy of the Indian Relocation Act continues to influence contemporary issues faced by Native Americans in urban settings.
  • The legacy of the Indian Relocation Act continues to shape contemporary issues for many Native Americans living in urban areas today. Challenges such as economic inequality, health disparities, and loss of cultural connection persist as ongoing consequences of forced relocation. Additionally, this historical context has informed modern movements advocating for self-determination and rights recognition among urban Indigenous populations, highlighting the need for policies that address both the historical injustices faced by Native Americans and their present-day realities.

Related terms

Termination Policy: A U.S. government policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by terminating the recognition of tribes and their sovereign status.

Urban Indian: Native Americans who relocated from reservations to cities, often facing challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and loss of cultural identity in urban settings.

Indian Self-Determination Act:

A 1975 law that aimed to restore tribal sovereignty by allowing tribes to have greater control over their own governance and the programs serving their communities.