On Thanksgiving morning before dawn, the ferries run every 15 minutes, taking people to a sunrise gathering. An Indigenous People’s Alcatraz thanksgiving ceremony.

The boats arrive to the island in the middle of the bay. People get off. Climb on to the island.They huddle against the chilly air and the cold winds that whip across San Francisco Bay. Lights from the cities across the water flicker in the distance. A ceremonial fire is lit. Drums beat as the sun rises.songs are sung. Words are said. Dances danced. Prayers spoken. Stories told. Resistance remembered. This event is sacred. A ceremony to challenge the Thanksgiving myth. A ceremony to remember the innocent Indigenous peoples killed and pushed aside by the European conquest of America. And to honor the struggle of those who survived. As they say “To honor the resistance of our ancestors and give thanks for the survival of our Peoples,sacred places,cultures and ways of life.”

The location for this ceremony is not by accident. In 1969, Alcatraz was the site of a 19-month long native American occupation that inspired movements and organizing around the country. That legacy lives on until today.

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The Occupation of Alcatraz: A Native American Protest

From November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971, Native Americans occupied Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, marking a pivotal moment in the Native american rights movement. This 19-month-long protest, organized by the group Indians of All Tribes (IAT), wasn’t a violent uprising, but a powerful act of civil disobedience that brought national attention to the systemic issues facing Native communities and reignited a fight for self-determination.

Past Context: A Legacy of Broken Treaties

To understand the occupation, it’s crucial to recognize the historical context. For centuries, the U.S. government engaged in policies that dispossessed Native Americans of their lands and eroded their sovereignty. Treaties were routinely broken, and Native people were forcibly relocated and subjected to assimilation policies. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), established in 1824, often acted as an instrument of these policies, rather than a protector of Native rights.By the 1960s, many Native Americans felt marginalized, impoverished, and denied basic civil rights. The occupation of Alcatraz was, in many ways, a direct response to this history of injustice.

The Claim and the Occupation’s Beginning

The IAT’s claim to Alcatraz island was based on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie , which granted Native Americans land in exchange for peaceful settlement. The IAT argued that, because the U.S. government had failed to uphold its treaty obligations and had taken land without compensation, Native Americans were entitled to reclaim unused federal land – and Alcatraz, a former federal prison that had been closed in 1963, fit the bill.

On November 20, 1969, a group of Native Americans, led by activists like Richard Oakes, landed on Alcatraz and declared the island occupied. The initial group consisted of approximately 89 people, representing various tribes. They invoked the Treaty of Fort Laramie and asserted their right to the island, intending to establish a cultural center, school, and museum.

Life on Alcatraz and the Spread of the Movement

The occupation wasn’t simply a static protest. The occupiers established a functioning community on the island, despite the harsh conditions. They repaired buildings, created a school, and maintained a presence that attracted media attention and support.

One of the members of the movement there launched a daily radio show, Radio Free Alcatraz. They also founded a newsletter,The Alcatraz News. Active resistance in the San Francisco Bay area grew, fueled by the occupation’s visibility. The occupation also inspired other Native American activism across the country, including the Trail of Broken Treaties protest in 1972 .

The End of the Occupation

Federal officials would eventually cut off electricity and water to the occupation, and roll in with troops to remove the remaining occupiers from the island in June 1971. but the occupation wouldn’t be considered a failure.While the IAT didn’t succeed in establishing a permanent Native American presence on Alcatraz, the protest had a profound impact on the Native American rights movement.

Legacy and Impact

The occupation of Alcatraz is widely considered a turning point in the fight for Native American rights. It:

• Raised National Awareness: The occupation brought the plight of Native Americans to the forefront of national consciousness.
• Inspired Self-Determination: It fostered a sense of pride and empowerment within Native communities and encouraged self-determination.
• Influenced Policy Changes: The occupation contributed to policy changes, including increased federal funding for Native American programs and a greater emphasis on tribal self-governance.
• Strengthened Native American Activism: It served as a catalyst for further activism and the formation of organizations dedicated to Native American rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Was the occupation of Alcatraz violent?

A: No, the occupation was largely non-violent. While there were confrontations with federal authorities, the occupiers primarily engaged in peaceful protest and civil disobedience.

Q: What happened to the leaders of the occupation?

A: Richard Oakes, a key leader, was tragically killed in 1972. Other leaders continued to be involved in Native American activism for many years.