This here is my project proposal deciding on what I would be searching on during this project.
Native American and the Trial of Broken Treaties
Hajro, Suzan S. "Trail of Broken Treaties: A 30th Anniversary Memory"
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/trail-of-broken-treaties%3A-a- 30th-anniversary-memory-47704 . WEB. November 6, 2002.
Suzan Shown Hajro an advocate for the American Indian rights, was described return millions of acres of the Native Americans land. In this article it was said that she and a few others were able to address the problems that some Native Americans had towards the government whether it be through taped interviews, protest, and other ways of obtaining answers. Though within these actions many Natives could not see she and her husband's viewpoints. Such was stated about the BIA building when the AIM leader Russell Means, and others almost blew up the building with Molotov's. Lucky no one got hurt and many decide to back down. This act of the Natives becoming more aggressive showed the government that they were not in the mood to play games, thus having them come to the conclusion of making negotiations with them and not testing them anymore. This research that I found interesting within it is that why did the Natives go so far to become this aggressive, and what did the government do to agitate them this much.
In my research I have chosen to describe the topic of the 1972 "Trail of Broken Treaties" the part in the timeline of which the Native American protest began for their rights. There are many questions I have on this subject, but the main and important few that linger in my head would have to be what cause or act determined the fate that the Natives would protest, what did the government do first to handle this, and with the 20 point position paper that the Natives made did the government actually follow the request. Many problems occurred with the protest some that were necessary, and others that were almost followed through, but lucky did not achieve its point.
Anyone could remember that America was not found, but "taken" in a sense from the Natives. With it being taken many wars were fought, many deaths occurred, and sadness was brought to a higher extent. With these being seen clearer and heard louder we as America decide to make treaties with them, to strength our support throughout the land. Except within the time that passed, within these treaties, within these promises, there were lies. Lies that could pierce that hearts of many. Lies of which the Natives would obtain those equal rights as an American, but in a sense didn't. In 1972 Natives all across the country came and gathered at Washington D.C., to address issues that they were having with the government. Many people from different tribes came into this one city during presidential elections to have equal playing grounds with the other governmental issues. How they would also set this into action was getting the media involved also. Soon the government would hear and those who could not have a voice in the beginning started to have one. In return what could the government do?
At first the government would only push aside their cries, but now they couldn't. When they arrived at Washington D.C. people there were not to helpful because of them protesting, even local churches that said that will help them declined them. What could have led them to do that? In the end it only led to the Natives staying at the BIA building. In the return fire of the government they decide to have physical and mental harassment done to them. Thus only growing the fire within the Native Americans eyes. This did not help the cause for the government at all, creating more conflict and more tension between the two sides. Then finally a leader Russell Means and other protest started to do something that would actually in time turn the tides to the Native Americans favor. They were deciding to throw Molotov's at the BIA building, but then were convinced to stop. What was this point of blowing up the building and what good would it do? Then leading to the government hearing out their 20 point paper.
In the beginning of the protest, the Native Americans decided already that they would give a proposal of a 20 point position paper towards the government. With the main line being "We want to have a new RELATIONSHIP with you...an HONEST one!" These 20 points were to enlighten the President on the main problems they were having today. They asked for restoration of the their land, to have joint sessions with congress, protection of offenses against them, and etc... Would they get answered? How would the president or upcoming president handle the situation for them?
In conclusion of my proposal I see that many unanswered questions need to be filled in, but the main questions come first in mind. What my main question in the research I will be deducting is that; Which of those proposal were herd and affected, and how the president answered all of them? Thus concludes my project proposal.