PAST, PRESENT,
AND FUTURE
AMERICAN
INDIAN
MOVEMENT
i
e______________________________
movement. AIM is one of the most significant spiritually
ous organization to ever take place in Indian country in
you for taking the time to read our recorded history
dThank
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booklet you are
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history.
Letter
Clyde
Bellecourt
l be celebrating
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A Founder
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Clyde Bellecourt
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
lars
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toEmployment:
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f United
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The
Trail of Broken
Treaties:
20the
Point
Position
Paper .
. . programs
. . people.
. . . . . . . .in
. . . . . . 8-9
Health:
Indian
Health
Board,
Native
American
Community
Clinic,
hich main
focus
was
Indian
Child
welfare
protecA Voice for Indigenous People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Housing:
Little
Earth ceremonies.
of United Tribes,
Employment:
AIOIC
on work
spiritual
AIM
challenged
the and the
Declaration of Continuing Independence — Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Legal RightstoCenter
which
main focus
was Indian
Child
welfare protecChurches
put the
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Work,
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The
International
Indian
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Declaration . . . AIM
. . . . . .challenged
. . . . . . . . . 12-13
ion. AIM
has
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work
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the
or
Indian
people.
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programs
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Minnesota
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of Churches
to put theonDivision of Indian Work, under
What
is the United
Nations Declaration
ervices
to
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communities
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he control
of
Indians
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people.
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? .
. . .AIM
. . . . . programs
. . . . . . . . .have
. . . . . brought
. . . . . . . . . . 14
CONTENTS
millions Declaration
of dollars ofinthe
services
to our communities and for our people.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
A Brief History of the American Indian Movement — Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
History of the American Indian Movement (AIM) 1968 - Present . . . . . . . . 17-20
History of AIM in photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-25
Thomas Beanyacya
on—Benai
Letter from Clyde Bellecourt, A Founder and National Director of AIM . . .
Telling
the Hopi Prophecy
Chief
es Society
2
26-27
equal
upon it…We
ask
Indian he have
can live
in rights
peace…Treat
all menonly
alike.
live as
live.allWe
Give themchance
all thetosame
law.other
Givemen
them
an ask
even
nized
as
men.
We
ask
that
the
same
chance to live and grow. All men were made by law
the
alike
on
all
men…Let
me
be
a
free
man
same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. Th
free oftoall
trade,
free and
to choose
teac
earth is thework,
Mother
people,
peoplemy
should
thefollow
white
man
wants
to
live
in
peace
with
the
If the“If
white
man wants
to
live
in
peace
with
the
the
religion
of myonly
fathers,
freeeven
to th
have
equal
rights
upon
it…We
an
Indian
he
can inlive
in peace…Treat
allask
men
Indian
he can
live
peace
... Treat all men
alike.alike.
talk
and
forlaw.
myself
–them
and
Itoan
will
chance
to them
live
as
other
men
live.
We
beevenobey
recog
GiveGive
them
all the
same
law.
Give
them
allask
anall
even
all
theact
same
Give
submit
to
the
penalty.”
chance
to
live
and
grow.
All
men
are
made
by
the
nizedchance
as men.
that
law shall
to liveWe
andask
grow.
Allthe
mensame
were made
by thewor
same
Great
SpiritSpirit
Chief.Chief.
They They
areChief
allare
brothers.
Joseph
~
Nez
same
Great
all
brothers.
Theto
alike
on all men…Let me be a free man…free
The earth is the Mother of all people, and people
earth istothetrade,
Mother
all
people, and
people
should
work,
freeofupon
to choose
myonly
teachers,
shouldfree
have equal rights
it. ... We
ask for free
have
equal
rights
upon
it…We
only
ask
an
even
an even
to live
as other
men free
live. We
ask to and
follow
thechance
religion
ofother
my
fathers,
to think
chance
to
live
as
men
live.
We
ask
to
be
be recognized as men. We ask that the same law recogtalk
and
act
foronmyself
and
I will
obey
every law
men.
We
ask–...that
shallnized
work as
alike
all men
Letthe
mesame
be a law
freeshall
man work
submit
towork,
theallpenalty.”
alike
on
men…Let
be toa free
man…free
to
... free
to
free
to trade,me
free
choose
my
teachers,
free
to
follow
the
religion
of
my
fathers,
work, free to trade,
to
choose~
myNez
teachers,
free 187
to
Joseph
Perce,
I lived here 77 years. This whole
reservation
wasChief
infreeact
total
free follow
to think
talk and
for myself
theand
religion
of my
fathers,
free —
to and
thinkI and
darkness and somewhere these will
young
men
started
the – and
obey
every
submit
to the
penalty.
talk and
actlaw,
for ormyself
I will
obey every law, or
American Indian Movement and submit
they came
to
our
reserto the
penalty.”
CHIEF JOSEPH
— NEZ
1879
vation and they turned that light
on inside and
itsPERCE,
getting
Chief
Joseph ~ Nez Perce, 1879
bigger
- now we can see things.”
I lived here 77 years. This whole reservation was in total
Gladys
Bissonette,
Oglala
darkness and somewhere
these
young men~
started
the Lakota
I lived hereCivil
77
years.
This
whole
reservation
was
in
total
RightsIndian
Organization
Leader,
Wounded
Knee 1973
American
Movement and
they came
to our reservation
darkness andandsomewhere
young
men started
the bigger —
they turnedthese
that light
on inside
and it’s getting
American Indian
and they came to our resernow weMovement
can see things.
I
lived
here
77
years.
This
whole
reservation
in total
vation and they
turned
that light
on
inside
and itswasgetting
GLADYSand
BISSONETTE
—these
OGLALA
LAKOTA
darkness
somewhere
young
men
started
the
bigger - nowAmerican
we can
see things.”
CIVIL
RIGHTS
ORGANIZATION, WOUNDED KNEE, 1973
Indian
Movement and they came to our reserBissonette,
~ inside
Oglala
vation and Gladys
they turned
that light on
andLakota
its getting
Civil Rightsbigger
Organization
Wounded Knee 1973
- now we can Leader,
see things.”
“A
more
moons,
amore
few winters,
more winters,
andofnot
fewfew
more
moons,
a few
and not one
theone of
GladysABissonette,
~ Oglala
Lakota
descendants
of
the
mighty
hosts
that
once
moved
over
the mighty
hosts
once moved over this broad land
Civil Rights Organization of
Leader,
Wounded
Kneethat
1973
this broad land or lived in happy homes, protected by the
happy homes, protected by the Great Spirit, will remain
Great Spirit, will remain to mourn over the graves of a peotheonce
graves
of powerful
a peopleand
once
morethan
powerful
andwhy
hopeful th
ple
more
hopeful
yours. But
should
I
mourn
at
the
untimely
fate
of
my
people?
Tribe
why should I mourn at the untimely fate of my people? T
follows tribe, and nation follows nation, like the waves of
tribe,moons,
and
nation
follows
nation,
likenot
theone
waves
of the
se
“A few more
a few
winters,
and
of Your
the
descen
the sea.
It is the
ordermore
of nature,
and regret
is useless.
“Atime
more
moons,
abefewdistant,
more
winters,
and
not
oneland
the
offewnature,
and
regret
is useless.
Your
time
ofof decay
mayi
of
decay
may
but
surely
come,
forordescenda
of the mighty
hosts
that
once
moved
overit will
this
broad
lived
of the
mighty
hosts
that
once
moved
over
this
broad
land
or
lived
inwa
even
the
White
Man
whose
God
walked
and
talked
with
will protected
surely come,
for Great
even theSpirit,
Whitewill
Man
whosetoGod
happy homes,
by the
remain
mourn
him homes,
as a friend
to friend,
cannot
be
exempt
from
the comhappy
protected
by
the
Great
Spirit,
will
remain
to
mourn
ove
with
him asWe
friend
to brothers
friend,
cannot
be
exempt
from
the
the graves
of
a
people
once
more
powerful
and
hopeful
than
yours.
mon
destiny.
may
be
after
all.
We
will
see.
the graves of a people once more powerful and hopeful than yours. Bu
We
mayI mourn
beatbrothers
after all.
willpeople?
see.“ Tribe
why should
I mourn
the
untimely
fate
ofof my
people?
Tribefollows
follo
whyCHIEF
should
at the
untimely
fateWe
my
SEATTLE – SUQUAMISH, 1854
Chief
Seattle
185
tribe, and
follows
nation,
like
of the
thesea.
sea.It Itis the
is the
tribe,nation
and nation
follows
nation,
likethe
thewaves
waves of
or
of
nature,
and
regret
is
useless.
Your
time
of
decay
may
be
distant,
bu
of nature, and regret is useless. Your time of decay may be distant
will
surely
come,
for
even
the
White
Man
whose
God
walked
and
tal
3 the White Man whose God walked and
will surely come, for even
“
“
”
”
“
”
with him as friend to friend, cannot be exempt from the common dest
American Indian Movement:
Our Story
of several Minnesota and national
non-profit organizations, including the Legal Rights Center, Indian
Health Board of Minneapolis, Heart
of the Earth Survival School (Minneapolis), Red School House (St. Paul),
International Indian Treaty Council,
Federation of Survival Schools,
MIGIZI Communications, Circle of
Life Survival School, American Indian
Opportunities Industrialization Center
(AIOIC), Anishinabe Akeeng, the
Elaine Stately Peacemaker Center,
National Coalition Against Racism in
Sports and Media, Food Connection,
and the Native American Community
Clinic.
In 1968, Minneapolis and Minnesota
reservations reverberated with reports of beatings, arrests, and drastically low education success rates for
American Indian children.
The American Indian Movement
(AIM) was formed and the first order
of business was to create safe
schools where Indian children could
learn their own culture, in environments that were supportive of
children and that valued parents and
families.
While keeping the community safe,
AIM was instrumental in the creation
What is the
American Indian Movement?
• Things will never be the same again and that is what the American Indian
Movement is all about ...
• They are respected by many, hated by some, but they are never ignored.
• They are the catalyst for Indian Sovereignty ...
• They intend to raise questions in the mind of all, questions that have gone to
sleep in the minds of Indians and non-Indians alike ...
• From the outside AIM people are tough people, and they had to be ...
• AIM was born out of the dark violence of police brutality and the voiceless
despair of Indian people in the courts of Minneapolis, MN ...
• AIM was born because a few knew that it was enough, enough to endure for
themselves and all others like them who were people without power or rights ...
• AIM people have known the insides of jails; the long wait; the no appeal of the
courts for Indians because many of them were there ...
• From the inside, AIM people are cleansing themselves; many have returned to
the old traditional religions of their tribes, away from the confused notions of a
society that has made them slaves of their own unguided lives ...
• AIM is first, a spiritual movement, a religious rebirth, and then the rebirth of
dignity and pride in a people.
• AIM succeeds because they have beliefs to act upon.
• The American Indian Movement is attempting to connect the realities of the
past with the promise of tomorrow ...
• They are people in a hurry, because they know that the dignity of a person can
be snuffed by despair and a belt in a cell of a city jail ...
• They know that the deepest hopes of the old people could die with them ...
• They know that the Indian way is not tolerated in White American because it is
not acknowledged as a decent way to be ...
• Sovereignty, Land, and Culture cannot endure if a people are not left in
peace ...
• The American Indian Movement is then, the Warrior Class of this century,
who are bound to the bond of the Drum, who vote with their bodies instead of
their mouths ...
THEIR BUSINESS IS HOPE.
MAIC Healthy Nations Youth Leadership Graduates receiving diploma and gifts from
AIM at the 23rd Annual On the Red Road Pow Wow, celebrating sobriety.
4
Words and thoughts by Birgil Kills Straight, Oglala Lakota Nation
Richard LCourse, Director, the American Indian Press Association, 1975
5
Original Objectives
American Indian Movement (AIM) - July 1968
We the concerned Indian Americans, residents of the Minneapolis area, organized to upgrade the conditions in which the urban Indian lives and to improve
the image of the urban Indian.
We the Concerned Indian Americans, to be known as the American Indian
Movement (AIM), residents of the Minneapolis and greater Minneapolis area, do
hereby adopt the following goals:
Our main objective is to solicit and broaden opportunities for the urban Indian in
order that he may enjoy his full rights as a citizen of these United States.
Short-term Objectives
•E
stablish a program to better the Indian housing problem.
•E
stablish a program directed toward Indian youth.
•E
stablish a positive program for employment of Indian Americans.
•E
stablish a program to educate industry in the area of Indian culture and its
effect on the Indian.
•E
stablish a program to improve the communications between the Indian and
the community.
•E
stablish a program to educate the Indian citizen in his responsibility to his
community.
Long-term Objectives
•T
o generate unification within the Indian people.
•T
o inform all Indian Americans of community and local affairs.
•T
o encourage Indian Americans to become active in community affairs.
•T
o bring the economic status of Indian Americans up to that of the general
community.
“All the original AIM objectives have been met and exceeded.”
— CLYDE BELLECOURT, AIM FOUNDER AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR
THE AIM Interpretive Center
In 2011, The Heart of the Earth
Survival School, Inc., changed its
name to the AIM Interpretive Center
to expand on its original mission to
include the construction of an Interpretive Center that would house AIM
historical records and media.
munity’s memory-keeping by collecting documents of the history of
AIM, and to provide source material
for students, scholars, members of
the community, and other interested
persons who wish to understand
the impact of AIM’s activism and
programming, and the organization’s
role in the ongoing struggle for social
justice and dignity for all peoples.
The AIM Interpretive Center is currently located in Minneapolis, MN
and researchers, scholars, students,
and the community are welcome to
view AIM photographs and other
media, speak with AIM members
and search the archives. To provide
the information you are requesting,
please call 612.886.2107 to schedule
an appointment.
The mission of the Archives is:
•T
o promote knowledge and understanding of the origins, programs,
and goals of the American Indian
Movement.
•T
o appraise, collect, organize, describe, and preserve records of historical, legal, fiscal, and/or administrative value to the American Indian
Movement Interpretive Center.
•T
o provide adequate facilities for
the retention and preservation of
such records.
•T
o serve research and scholarship
by making available and encouraging the use of collections.
•T
o implement records management
by formulating policy and procedures that will ensure the collection and preservation of archival
materials.
Other programs the AIM Interpretive Center provides include: Native
Youth and Culture programming, AIM
Traveling Exhibit, Native Social Justice, Native Education and History
Seminars, and a Speakers Bureau.
ARchives of the
AIM Interpretive Center
The Archives are the final repository
for official and unofficial records of
the American Indian Movement. Its
primary purpose is to aid the com-
Now that the American Indian Movement continues a 45-year
history of successfully working with thousands of Indian youth and
adults, its mission still focuses on those yet to be born.
— CLYDE BELLECOURT, AIM FOUNDER AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR
6
7
The TRail of Broken Treaties
The TRail of Broken Treaties
20 Point Position Paper Preamble
An Indian Manifesto for restitution, reparations, restoration of lands for
a reconstruction of an Indian future in America.
The Trail of Broken Treaties
We need not give another recitation of past complaints nor engage in
redundant dialogue of discontent. Our conditions and their cause for
being should perhaps be best known by those who haven written the
record of America’s action against Indian people. In 1832, Black Hawk
correctly observed: You know the cause of our making war. It is known
to all white men. They out to be ashamed of it.
The government of the United States knows the reasons for our going
to its capital city. Unfortunately, they don’t know how to greet us. We
go because America has been only too ready to express shame, and
suffer none of from the expression – while remaining wholly unwilling to
change to allow life for Indian people.
We seek a new American majority – a majority that is not content merely to confirm itself by superiority in numbers, but which by conscience
is committed toward prevailing upon the public will in ceasing wrongs
and in doing right. For our part, in words and deeds of coming days,
we propose to produce a rational, reasoned manifesto for construction
of an Indian future in America. If American has maintained faith with its
original spirit, or may recognize it now, we should not be denied.
PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED OCTOBER 31, 1972
We want to have a new RELATIONSHIP with you ...
OUR 20 Point Proposal
October 1972, Minneapolis, MN
The Trail of Broken Treaties
For renewal of contracts – reconstruction of Indian communities
and securing an Indian future in America!
1. Restoration of constitutional treaty-making authority.
2. Establishment of treaty commission to make new treaties.
3. An address to the American people and joint sessions of Congress.
4. Commission to review treaty commitments and violations.
5. Resubmission of unratified treaties to the Senate.
6. All Indians to be governed by treaty relations.
7. Mandatory relief against treaty rights violations.
8. Judicial recognition of Indian right to interpret treaties.
9. Creation of Congressional Joint Committee on Reconstruction of Indian
Relations.
10. Land reform and restoration of a 110-million acre native land base.
11. Revision of 25 U.S.C. 163; restoration of rights to Indians terminated by
enrollment and revocation of prohibitions against “dual benefits.”
12. Repeal of state laws enacted under Public Law 280 (1953).
13. Resume federal protective jurisdiction for offenses against Indians.
14. Abolition of the Bureau of Indian Affairs by 1976.
15. Creation of an “Office of Federal Indian Relations and Community
Reconstruction.”
16. Priorities and purpose of the proposed new office:
17. Indian commerce and tax immunities.
18. Protection of Indians’ religious freedom and cultural integrity.
19. National referendums, local options, and forms of Indian organization.
20. Health, housing, employment, economic development and education.
8
9
OR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
“
longthe
time ago
my father
me what his father
told him. There was once a
DeclarationALakota
on
Rights
of told
Indigenous
Peoples
Holy man called Drinks Water, who visioned what was to be; and this
was long before
the coming of the Wasicus. He visioned that the four-legged
Summary
were going back into the earth and that a strange race had woven a spider’s
Part I
Part
V
Part
VIII
web all around the
Lakotas.
And he said, “When
this
happens, you shall live in
Fundamental
Rights
Participation
and
Implementation
barren
lands,
and
there
beside
those
gray
houses
you
shall starve.” They say he
tional Indian Treaty Council was founded in 1974
Development
went
back
to
Mother
Earth
soon
after
he
saw
this
vision
and it was sorrow that
he American Indian Movement in Standing Rock,
Article 1: Human Rights killed him.
Article 37: National Law
nded byThe
more
than 5000Indian
representatives
ofwas
98 founded in 1974 at a gathering
International
Treaty Council
— BLACK
ELK, OGLALA LAKOTA HOLY MAN
Article 2: Equality
Article 19: Decision-Making Article
38: Financial
ns.
by the American Indian Movement in Standing Rock, South Dakota attended
by 3: Self Determination Article 20: Law and Policy
Article
Assistance
more than 5,000 representatives of 98 Indigenous Nations.
Article 4: Distinctive
Making
Article 39: Disputes
of the sacred
pipe uniting the hemisphere was chosen
Characteristics
Article
21:
Economic
Article 40: United Nations
e elders The
to represent
the common bonds of spirituality,
symbol of the sacred pipe uniting the hemisphere was chosen for the IITC
Article
5:
Citizenship
Activities
Article 41: Special
d respectbyfor
cultures
to allof spirituality, ties to the land, and
thetraditional
elders to represent
thecommon
common bonds
Article 22:
Special
Measures
International
BY THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL INDIAN
TREATY COUNCIL
es.
respect for traditional cultures common to all Indigenous Peoples.
Part II
Article 23: Economic and
Body
AT STANDING ROCK INDIAN COUNTRY
pports grassroots
Indigenous struggles through
Life and Security
Social
The IITC supports grassroots Indigenous struggles through information disJUNE 1974
Development
mination,semination,
networking,
coalition
building,
technical
networking,
coalition
building,
technical assistance, organizing,
_________________________________
Article 6: Existence
Article 24: Health
Part IX
zing andand
facilitating
effective
participation
of
facilitating the
the effective
participation
of traditional
People in local, regional,
Article
7:
Cultural
Integrity
Minimum
Standards
PREAMBLE
andnational
international
events, and
gatherings.
in local,national,
regional,
andforums,
international
forums,
Article
8:
Identity
Part
VI
ngs.
Article 9: Communities and
Land
andofRecourses
Article 42:violated
Minimum
The United
States
America has continually
the independent NaIn 1977, the IITC became the first organization of Indigenous Peoples to reorgaIITC became
the
first
organization
of
Indigenous
Nations
Standards
tive Peoples of this continent by Executive action, Legislative fiat and judicial
nized as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status to
ganized the
as United
a Non-Governmental
(NGO)
Article 10: Removal anddecision.
Article
Distinctive
and
By 25:
its actions,
the U.S. has Article
denied43:
all Men
Native
people their International
Nations’ Economic Organization
and Social Council.
The IITC focuses on buildlands and basic human rights
of freedom and sovereignty.
Relocation Treaty rights, Treaty
Relationship
Woman
Indigenous
key Social
UN fora such as the Commission
Status toingthe
United Peoples’
Nationsparticipation
Economicinand
Human
Rights,
the WorkingPeoples’
Group on Indigenous Populations, the Sub- Article 11: Time of War This same
ArticleU.S.
26:Government,
Ownership which fought
Articleto44:throw
Otheroff the yoke of oppression
C focusesonon
building
Indigenous
and gain
its own
independence, has now reversed
its role and become the opCommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the
Article
27:
Restitution
Indigenous
y U.N. fora such as the Commission on Human
pressor
of sovereign
Native people.
Conference of the Parties of the Convention of Biological Diversity, UNESCO,
Part
III
Article
28:
Environment
Rights
ng Group
on Indigenous Populations, the
and the Commission on Sustainable Development. In recent years, IITC has also
Culture, Religion, and Article 29: Cultural and
Article 45: United Nations
on Prevention
of Discrimination
Protection
of (ILO), UN World ConferencMight
does
not
make
right.
Sovereign
people ofChart
varying cultures have the abparticipated
in the Internationaland
Labor
Organization
Language
Intellectual
onference
Parties ofUnion
the for
Convention
of of Nature (IUCN), and the World
solute right to live
in
harmony
with
Mother
Earth
so long as they do not infringe
es,of
thethe
International
the Conservation
Property
upon this same right of other peoples. The denial of this right to any sovereign
Archeological
Congress
to systematically
address concerns vital to Indigenous
ty, UNESCO
and the
Commission
on Sustainable
Article 12: Culture
Article30: Resource
the Native American Indian Nations, must be challenged by
Peoples.
ecent years,
IITC has also participated in the
Article 13: Spiritual and people, such asDevelopment
truth and action. World concern must focus on all colonial governments to the
or Organization (ILO), U.N. World Conferences, the
Religious
end that sovereign people everywhere shall live as they choose; in peace with
The IITC submits testimony, documentation, and formal complaints to these fora
Traditions dignity and freedom.
Part VII
n for theas Conservation
of
Nature
(IUCN)
and
the
well as to the UN Center for Human Rights and the Organization of American
Article 14: Language
Self Government &
cal Congress
systematically
addressincrease
concerns
vital and impact the develStates to
(OAS)
to redress grievances,
awareness,
Indigenous
Laws Conference hereby adopts this Declaration of
ples. opment of international standards protecting the rights and survival of IndigThe International
Indian Treaty
Part
IV
Continuing Independence of the Sovereign Native American Indian Nations. In
enous Peoples. The IITC also focuses on dissemination of information regarding
bmits testimony,
documentation and formal
Articleof31:
Selfhuman
Government
the course
these
events, we call upon the people of the world to supthe UN and opportunities for involvement to grassroots Indigenous communi-Education, Media, and
e fora asties,
well
as
to
the
U.N.
Center
for
Human
Rights
Employment
Article
32:
Indigenous
port this struggle for our sovereign rights and our treaty rights. We pledge our
and works to educate and build awareness about Indigenous struggles
on of American
States (OAS),
to redress
grievances,
assistance to all Citizenship
other sovereign people who seek their own independence.
among non-Indigenous
peoples
and organizations.
Article 15: Education
Article 33: Indigenous Laws
s and impact the development of international
Article 16: Information
and Customs
ng the rights and survival of Indigenous Peoples. The
10
11
Article
17:
Media
Article
34:
Responsibilities
on dissemination of information regarding the U.N.
A Voice for Indigenous Peoples
”
DECLARATION OF CONTINUING INDEPENDENCE
INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY
COUNCIL DECLARATION
The First International Treaty Council of the
Western Hemisphere was formed on the
land of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on
June 8-16, 1974. The delegates, meeting
under the guidance of the Great Spirit, represented 98 Indian tribes and Nations from
across North and South America.
able legal and political resource. Treaties
between sovereign nations explicitly entail
agreements with represent “the supreme
law of the land” binding each party to an
inviolate international relationship.
We acknowledge the historical fact that the
struggle for Independence of the Peoples
of our sacred Mother Earth have always
been over Sovereignty of land. These historical freedom efforts have always involved
the highest human sacrifice.
We, the sovereign Native Peoples recognize that all lands belonging to the various
Native Nations now situated within the
boundaries of the U.S. are clearly defined
by the sacred treaties solemnly entered into
between the Native Nations and the government of the United States of America.
We recognize that all Native Nations wish to
avoid violence, but we also recognize that
the United States government has always
used force and violence to deny Native Nations basic human and treaty rights.
We, the sovereign Native Peoples, charge
the United States of gross violations of our
International Treaties. Two of the thousands
of violations that can be cited are the
“wrongfully taking” of the Black Hills from
the Great Sioux Nation in 1877, this sacred
land belonging to the Great Sioux Nation
under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. The
second violation was the forced march of
the Cherokee people from their ancestral
lands in the state of Georgia to the then
“Indian Territory” of Oklahoma after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the
Cherokee treaty rights inviolate. The treaty
violation, known as the “Trail of Tears”
brought death to two-thirds of the Cherokee Nation during the forced march.
We adopt this Declaration of Continuing
Independence, recognizing that struggle
lies ahead – a struggle certain to be won –
and that the human and treaty rights of all
Native Nations will be honored.
The International Indian Treaty Council
recognizes the sovereignty of all Native
Nations and will stand in unity to support
our Native and international brothers and
sisters in their respective and collective
struggles concerning international treaties
and agreements violated by the United
States and other governments.
All treaties between the Sovereign Native
Nations and the United States Government
must be interpreted according to the traditional and spiritual ways of the signatory
Native Nations.
The Council further realizes that securing
United States recognition of treaties signed
with Native Nations requires a committed
and unified struggle, using every avail12
We declare our recognition of the Provisional Government of the Independent
Oglala Nation, established by the Traditional Chiefs and Headmen under the provisions of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty with
the Great Sioux Nation at Wounded Knee,
March 11, 1973.
We hereby ally ourselves with the colonized
Puerto Rican People in their struggle for
Independence from the same United States
of America.
We recognize that there is only one color of
Mankind in the world who is not represented in the United Nations; that is the indigenous Redman of the Western Hemisphere.
We condemn the United States of America
for its gross violation of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty in militarily surrounding, killing
and starving the citizens of the Independent
Oglala Nation into exile.
We recognize this lack of representation in
the United Nations comes from the genocidal policies of the colonial power of the
United States.
We demand the United States of America
recognize the sovereignty of the Independent Oglala Nation and immediately stop all
present and future criminal prosecutions of
sovereign Native Peoples. We call upon the
conscionable nations of the world to join
us in charging and prosecuting the United
States of America for its genocidal practices against the sovereign Native Nations;
most recently illustrated by Wounded Knee
1973 and the continued refusal to sign the
United Nations 1948 Treaty on Genocide.
The International Indian Treaty Council
established by this conference is directed
to make the application to the United Nations for recognition and membership of
the sovereign Native Nations. We pledge
our support to any similar application by an
aboriginal people.
This conference directs the Treaty Council
to open negotiations with the government
of the United States through its Department
of State. We seek these negotiations in
order to establish diplomatic relations with
the United States. When this diplomatic
relations have been established, the first
order of business shall be to deal with U.S.
violations of treaties with Native Indian Nations, and violations of the rights of those
Native Indian Nations who have refused to
sign treaties with the United States.
We reject all executive orders, legislative
acts and judicial decisions of the United
States related to Native Nations since
1871, when the United States unilaterally
suspended treaty-making relations with
the Native Nations. This includes, but is
not limited to, the Major Crimes Act, the
General Allotment Act, the Citizenship Act
of 1924, the Indian Reorganization Act of
1934, the Indian Claims Commission Act,
Public Law 280 and the Termination Act.
All treaties made between Native Nations
and the United States made prior to 1871
shall be recognized without further need of
interpretation.
We, the People of the International Indian
Treaty Council, following the guidance of
our elders through instructions from the
Great Spirit, and out of respect for our
sacred Mother Earth, all her children, and
those yet unborn, offer our lives for our
International Treaty Rights.
13
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples SUMMARY
PART I: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Article 1: Human Rights
Article 2: Equality
Article 3: Self Determination
Article 4: Distinctive Characteristics
Article 5: Citizenship
Bill Wahpapah, Vice Chair and Phillip Deer, Chair, IITC, 1977
What is the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
The Adoption of the Declaration by the United Nations
and the overwhelming majority of
them – 144 – voted in favor of the
Declaration. Only four – the United
States, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand – voted against it, while
eleven abstained, and thirty- seven
members were absent.
On September 13, 2007, the United
Nations General Assembly adopted
the Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, affirming that
indigenous peoples are equal to all
other peoples and have the right to
self-determination, along with an array of related rights, including rights
to traditional lands and territories.
Notably, the four countries that initially opposed the Declaration have
switched their positions to ‘supporting’ the declaration as a non–
legally-binding document. Australia
announced its support for the Declaration in April 2009, New Zealand
in April 2010, Canada in November
2010. Finally on December 16, 2010,
the United States endorsed the
Declaration.
The United Nations is the world’s
major international organization. It
is made up of 193 Member States,
including the United States, and all
of the other countries of the globe
that are widely recognized as independent states, with little exception. All of the Member States are
represented in the General Assembly,
14
Article 29: Cultural and Intellectual
Property
Article 30: Resource Development
PART VII: SELF GOVERNMENT &
INDIGENOUS LAWS
Article 31: Self Government
Article 32: Indigenous Citizenship
Article 33: Indigenous Laws and
Customs
Article 34: Responsibilities
Article 35: Borders
Article 36: Treaties and Agreements
PART II: LIFE AND SECURITY
Article 6: Existence
Article 7: Cultural Integrity
Article 8: Identity
Article 9: Communities and Nations
Article 10: Removal and Relocation
Article 11: Time of War
PART VIII: IMPLEMENTATION
Article 37: National Law
Article 38: Financial Assistance
Article 39: Disputes
Article 40: United Nations
Article 41: Special International Body
PART III: CULTURE, RELIGION,
AND LANGUAGE
Article 12: Culture
Article 13: Spiritual and Religious
Traditions
Article 14: Language
PART IX: MINIMUM STANDARDS
Article 42: Minimum Standards
Article 43: Men and Woman
Article 44: Other Indigenous Rights
Article 45: United Nations Chart
PART IV: EDUCATION, MEDIA,
AND EMPLOYMENT
Article 15: Education
Article 16: Information
Article 17: Media
Article 18: Employment
PART V: PARTICIPATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
Article 19: Decision-Making
Article 20: Law and Policy Making
Article 21: Economic Activities
Article 22: Special Measures
Article 23: Economic and Social
Article 24: Development Health
PART VI: LAND AND RECOURSES
Article 25: Distinctive Relationship
Article 26: Ownership
Article 27: Restitution
Article 28: Environment
Leonard Crow Dog, AIM Spiritual Leader
15
A Brief History
of the American Indian Movement: Preamble
BY LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK AND ELAINE J. SALINAS
In the 45 years of its formal history, the
AIM has repeatedly brought successful suit
against the federal government for the protection
of the rights of Native Nations guaranteed in treaties, sovereignty, the United States Constitution,
and laws. The philosophy of self-determination
upon which the movement is built is deeply rooted
in traditional spirituality, culture, language and
history. AIM develops partnerships to address the
common needs of the people. Its first mandate is
to ensure the fulfillment of treaties made with the
United States. This is the clear and unwavering
vision of The American Indian Movement.
American Indian Movement (AIM) has given witness to a great many changes. We say formal
history, because the movement existed for 500
years without a name. The leaders and members
of today’s AIM never fail to remember all of those
who have traveled on before, having given their
talent and their lives for the survival of the people.
At the core of the movement is Indian leadership
under the direction of Thunder Before the Storm
- Clyde H. Bellecourt, and others. Making steady
progress, the movement has transformed policy
making into programs and organizations that have
served Indian people in many communities. These
policies have consistently been made in consultation with spiritual leaders and elders. The success
of these efforts is indisputable, but perhaps even
greater than the accomplishments is the vision
defining what AIM stands for.
It has not been an easy path. Spiritual leaders and
elders foresaw the testing of AIM’s strength and
stamina. Doubters, infiltrators, those who wished
they were in the leadership, and those who didn’t
want to be but wanted to tear down and take
away have had their turns. No one, inside or
outside the movement, has so far been able to
destroy the will and strength of AIM’s solidarity. Men and women, adults and children are
continuously urged to stay strong spiritually, and
to always remember that the movement is greater
than the accomplishments or faults of its leaders.
Inherent in the spiritual heart of AIM is knowing
that the work goes on because the need goes on.
Indian people live on Mother Earth with the clear
understanding that no one will assure the coming
generations except ourselves. No one from the
outside will do this for us. And no person among
us can do it all for us, either. Self-determination
must be the goal of all work. Solidarity must be
the first and only defense of the members.
Indian people were never intended to survive the
settlement of Europeans in the Western Hemisphere, our Turtle Island. With the strength of a
spiritual base, AIM has been able to clearly articulate the claims of Native Nations and has had the
will and intellect to put forth those claims.
The movement was founded to turn the attention
of Indian people toward a renewal of spirituality which would impart the strength of resolve
needed to reverse the ruinous policies of the
United States, Canada, and other colonialist
governments of Central and South America. At
the heart of AIM is deep spirituality and a belief in
the connectedness of all Indian people.
In November, 1972 AIM brought a caravan of Native Nation representatives to Washington, DC, to
the place where dealings with Indians have taken
place since 1849: the US Department of Interior.
AIM put the 20—Points proposal directly before
the President of the United States.
During the past forty five years, The American
Indian Movement has organized communities
and created opportunities for people across the
Americas and Canada. AIM is headquartered in
Minneapolis with chapters in many other cities,
rural areas and Indian Nations.
16
History OF AIM
1968 to present
July 28, 1968
• AIM is founded on July 28 to combat
the history of police brutality and racism
experienced by Indian people in the
Twin Cities of Minnesota and to bring
needed governmental funding into the
Indian community. Similar conditions
would lead to the formation of a national
network of AIM chapters in 16 cities and
communities across the country.
of AIM, African American activists, and
progressive attorneys committed to
addressing the over-representation of
Indian youth, adults, and people of color
in Minnesota’s correctional system. To
date, the Center has provided legal representation to nearly 40,000 Indigenous
clients and outreach and services to an
additional and outreach to an additional
4,000 people each year.
• Per treaty agreement, AIM reclaims
abandoned building at Naval Air Station
at Fort Snelling with plans to develop
education program to serve the Indian
community.
• AIM assists the Lac Courte Oreilles
Ojibwe of Wisconsin in their takeover of
Winter Dam, a dam controlled by Northern States Power that flooded much of
the reservation land. This led to legal action and the return of over 25,000 acres
of land to the tribe.
1969
• AIM Members found Indian Health Board,
the first urban health clinic in the nation
dedicated to the care of Indian people.
• AIM participates in the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island that reclaimed
abandoned federal land in the name
of Native Nations. First Indian radio
broadcasts from Radio Free Alcatraz are
heard in the Bay Area of San Francisco.
• AIM issues challenges to local and
national church bodies to “live up to
their ideals of Christianity and brotherhood” by supporting Indian people
in their efforts to determine their own
needs, priorities, and actions. Challenges presented to the Minnesota
Council of Churches, Lutheran Council
in the U.S.A., U.S. Congress on Evangelism, National Conference of Catholic
Bishops, and the National Council of
Churches.
• Under pressure from AIM, Minneapolis
Mayor Arthur Naftalin, proclaims the first
Indian Week to honor and recognize the
contributions of American Indian people.
It was the first Indian Week celebration
to occur anywhere in the country.
1971
• AIM travels to Washington, DC to
protest the historic misuse and abuse of
tribal land and resources by the BIA and
calls for the Citizen’s Arrest of John Old
Crow, Deputy Commissioner of the BIA.
Twenty-four AIM members are arrested,
but quickly released when BIA Commissioner, Louis Bruce, drops the charges.
1972
• Heart of the Earth Survival School in
Minneapolis, and Red School House in
St. Paul, both founded by AIM, open to
provide a culturally-based educational
alternative for Indian children who have
1970
• Legal Rights Center opens in Minneapolis through the activism and support
17
dropped-out or are being pushed-out of
public schools.
• Trail of Broken Treaties March on
Washington, DC ends in occupation of
Bureau of Indian Affairs Headquarters,
and presentation of AIM’s 20-Point Plan
demanding the restoration of 110 million
acres of land to Native People.
• AIM under the leadership of Clyde Bellecourt and Lehman Brightman, founder
of Americas before Columbus, removes
Catholic Priest from Holy Rosary Catholic Church designated as overseer of all
Lakota ceremonies by the US Bureau of
Indian Affairs from the Sundance Circle
on the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD.
Today, Indigenous Peoples throughout
the western hemisphere continue to
self–determine, and retain, the spiritual
sovereignty of ancient practices set
forth by the American Indian Movement
on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South
Dakota in the summer of 1972.
an international forum for the discussion
and defense of Indian treaty rights.
• AIM is invited by Sinn Fein, the political
arm of the IRA, to establish a Gaelic
language school, modeled after the Survival Schools, to reintroduce the indigenous language to children of Ireland.
AIM is invited to lead the Bloody Sunday
March in Derry, Northern Ireland.
•C
lyde Bellecourt (AIM founder) invited to
address the World Council of Churches,
in Montreaux, Switzerland. Following
Wounded Knee in 1973, AIM charges the
U.S government with gross violations of
treaties, human rights, and genocide of
Indian Nations, where whole tribes were
erased from the face of the earth in collusion with Christian religion.
• At the request of Lakota elders and the
Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization
(OSCRO), AIM leads the 71-day takeover of Wounded Knee, S.D., to protest
corruption on the Pine Ridge Reservation and over 60 unsolved murders of
Indian people never addressed by the
judicial systems of South Dakota or the
U.S.
• The We Will Remember Survival School
is founded on the Pine Ridge Reservation by AIM members as a tribute
to the 250 Lakota people massacred
at Wounded Knee in 1890 and those
participating in its 71-day occupation
in 1973
1977
1975
• U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development selects AIM to sponsor Little
Earth of United Tribes, the only Indian
preference Section 8 Urban Housing
program in the country.
1973
• MIGIZI Communications is founded with
AIM support to counter misrepresentation and falsehoods promulgated about
Native Peoples in the major media.
MIGIZI produces First Person Radio, the
first nationally distributed Indian radio
news magazine in the country.
1977
• The United Nations, for the first time,
formally recognizes Indigenous Peoples
of the world by granting the International
Indian Treaty Council, the political arm of
the American Indian Movement, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) status.
• AIM calls for the enactment of the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act
that ends the nearly 100 years of persecution by the government and religious
institutions that forced the practice of
Indian religions underground.
1974
• AIM establishes the International Indian
Treaty Council at the request of tribal
elders, hosted by the Standing Rock
Sioux Nation, who foresee the need for
18
• AIM establishes the first prison education
program in the country to provide educational enrichment and spiritual healing to
incarcerated Indian adults. This program
becomes an international model replicated throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Hills under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
1983
• KILI Radio Station, the first Indianowned and operated public radio
station in the U.S., is founded by AIM in
Porcupine, S.D.
1978
1984
• AIM, under the leadership of National
Director Clyde Bellecourt, organizes the
Longest Walk, a cross-country march
to rally opposition to 24 proposed Congressional bills that in sum threatened
to abrogate the treaties. The walkers set
out from Alcatraz on February 11, and
reached Washington, D.C. on July 15,
3,200 miles later. Along the way walkers
were welcomed by local supporters,
and they lobbied state legislatures, city
councils, and universities. Upon arrival
in Washington, the walkers staged
a week of demonstrations and ceremonies. None of the anti-treaty bills
became law. Just days after the arrival
of the walkers, Congress passed, and
President Carter signed, the Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Indian Child
Welfare Act later that year.
• Federation of Native Controlled Survival
Schools is created by AIM to advocate
and promote culturally-based educational alternative programs in the U.S.
and Canada. Sixteen survival schools
from the U.S. and Canada are members.
1988
• AIM opens the Elaine Stately/Peacemakers Center to provide out of school and
after-school cultural activities and divert
them away from gang involvement and
other risk taking behaviors. The Center
offers the first organic gardening program for Native youth in the Twin Cities.
• AIM sponsors the first Annual On the
Red Road New Year’s Powwow to
provide Indian families and community
members in Minneapolis with a culturally-based, sober opportunity to come
together to celebrate the New Year.
1979
1989
• American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) founded by
Clyde Bellecourt and started by AIM to
train Indian people for living-wage jobs.
AIOIC is recognized by the U.S. Dept of
Labor as one of the premier workforce
development programs in the country,
taking 45,000 people off the welfare
roles and putting them on payrolls.
• AIM secures the boat landings for tribal
members as they are physically attacked and threatened by racist groups,
Protecting America’s Rights and Resources (PAAR) and Stop Treaty Rights
Abuse (STA), while exercising their
treaty rights to spear-fishing in northern
Wisconsin lakes.
1990
1981
• 1st Annual Youth & Elders International
Cultural Gathering is held on the land of
Philip Deere, Muskogee Creek spiritual
leader, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
• Dakota AIM establishes the Yellow
Thunder Camp in the Black Hills of
South Dakota in honor of Raymond Yellow Thunder, a Lakota man tortured and
brutally murdered by whites in Gordon,
NE. The camp was established to exert
the Lakota People’s claim to the Black
1991
• In the past 44 years AIM has been
successful in getting over 1,400 high
19
schools, colleges, and universities to
change their racist sports team names,
logos and mascots that denigrate Indian
people, their tribal names and their
traditional way of life.
• National Coalition on Racism in Sports
and Media is founded by AIM to protest
the use of Indian names and mascots
by sports teams. Demonstrators, led by
AIM, protest the Washington Redskins
logo and name during the 1992 Super
Bowl held in Minneapolis.
licly recognizes and apologizes for the
historic failure of the public schools to
adequately educate Indian children. The
MOA is the first of its kind in the country.
2007
• The United Nations “Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples” affecting 375 million Indigenous people from
around the world, passes the United Nations General Assembly after more than
30 years of ceaseless effort by AIM and
other indigenous peoples
• AIM and the International Treaty Council
negotiate an agreement with the government of Venezuela to provide heating fuel
to low-income Indian people living on
reservations throughout North America.
1994
• The Minneapolis Star-Tribune agrees
to stop using professional sports team
names that refer to Indian people.
1996
2010
• AIM joins with indigenous people from
throughout the Americas at the first and
second Intercontinental Encounter for
Humanity and Against Neo-Liberalism in
the rainforests of Chiapas, Mexico.
2000
• First-ever Permanent Forum on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the
World is established in the United Nations
after many years of advocacy by AIM and
the International Indian Treaty Council.
First International Indian Treaty Council, Geneva, Switzerland 1977
• AIM Interpretive Center is founded to
identify, collect, and archive the millions
of photographs, media, documents, art,
and Internet content of the Movement.
The Interpretive Center’s goal is to
educate current and future generations
of Indian and non-Indian people about
AIM’s legacy of activism and the true
history of colonialism and its impact on
Indigenous peoples.
2010 to Present
2001
• AIM continues to sponsor the Annual
International Youth & Elders Gathering
In 2016, the 26th Annual Gathering and
Sundance was held in Pipestone, MN
• AIM continues to fight for justice for
American Indians and other Indigenous
peoples through its involvement in the
International Indian Treaty Council, and
through its ongoing work to improve the
quality of life for Indian people through
the many organizations it founded.
These organizations continue to address
the most pressing needs in the American Indian community including health,
education, housing, legal advocacy, job
training, and media.
• AIM representatives join the Zapatista
Army’s National Liberation March for
Peace, Justice, Dignity in Zocolo Plaza,
Mexico City
2003
• Native American Community Clinic is
founded by AIM and three female doctors. The clinic has served 14,000 community members since its founding.
2006
• AIM plays a lead advocacy role in the
adoption of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Minneapolis
Public Schools and the Minneapolis
American Indian community that pub-
20
21
Naval Air Station Takeover, 1971
AIM’s original board, 1969
Clyde Bellecourt, taking over the Minneapolis BIA, 1971
22
ABOVE: Drum circle on the Trail of
Broken Treaties, 1972
RIGHT: July 1978, as the Longest
Walk neared Washington, a number
of celebrity supporters joined the
walkers and hosted benefits. Clyde
Bellecourt is shown here with Muhammad Ali, who chartered a boat
and took walkers to Liberty Island.
Ali supported the Longest Walk to
rally opposition to 24 proposed Congressional bills that in sum threatened to abrogate the treaties.
23
The Longest Walk, 1978
AIM gathering, c. 1975
Red School House, c.1 975
24
Ojibwe class at Stillwater State Prison, c. 1980
25
Letter from Clyde Bellecourt
A Founder and National Director of AIM
CONTENTS
Dear AIM Relatives and Friends:
have told us, that this new awakening
Quotes is the American Indian Movement.
July 28, 2016 AIM will be celebrating
the forty-eighth anniversary of the
At the heart, AIM is deeply rooted in
AIM “Our Story”
founding of the movement. AIM is
spirituality, and a belief in the conone of the most significant
spiritually
nectedness
of all indigenous peoples.
What is the American Indian
Movement?
guided indigenous organization to
ever take place in Indian country
has founded and developed the
OriginalinObjectivesAIM
of the
American
known history. Thank you
for takingIndian Movement
most prestigious programs in Health:
the time to read our recorded history
Indian Health Board, Native American
The
Interpretive
Center Clinic, Education: Hearth
of AIM in this booklet you
areAIM
all part
Community
of this history.
of the Earth Survival School and Red
Archives of the
AIM Interpretive School
Center House, Housing: Little Earth
Traditional leaders, visionaries and
of United Tribes, Employment: AIOIC
spiritual medicine people of The
many
dif- of Broken
and the
Legal Rights Center which
Trail
Treaties
ferent tribes have told
me andPosition
others Paper—Preamble
main focus was Indian Child welfare
20-Point
in the movement, that a new awakprotection. AIM has also established
The in
Trail
Treatieseducational programs and
ening would come at a time
our of Brokenmultiple
20-Point
Position
Paper
history, when we would be so beaten
offered spiritual healing to incarcerdown by the U.S government in colated Indian adults. AIM challenged
A voice for Indigenous People
lusion with the Christian Church and
the Minnesota Council of Churches
white European
education
to put the Division of Indian Work,
Declaration
of (boardContinuing Independence—Preamble
ing schools) to the point that we felt
under the control of Indians for Indian
The
Indian Treatypeople.
CouncilAIM
Declaration
nothing could
beInternational
done, to change
programs have brought
the conditions we were forced to live
millions of dollars in services to our
is the the
United
Nations Declaration
on the
under. In these What
prophesies
elders
communities and for our people.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Summary
A Brief History of the American Indian Movement— Preamble
History of the American Indian Movement (AIM)
1968 To Present
Letter from Clyde Bellecourt
A Founder and National Director of AIM
Eddie Benton-Benai, Grand Chief Three Fires Society, Co-Founder of AIM
Thomas Beanyacya, Spiritual Leader,
Telling the Hopi Prophecy
26
AIM was successful in the revival of
out to Indigenous people all over the
our
Sacred
Ceremonies
which
were
world. In which
2007 The
AIM was successful in the revival of our Sacred Ceremonies
wereUnited Nations
outlawed
by
the
US
government,
headquarters
located
NY, NY passed,
outlawed by the US government, and nearly destroyed by organized
and
nearly
destroyed
by
organized
the
“Declaration
on
the
religion within the churches. In 1978, I coordinated the longest walk from Rights of
Peoples”
religion
within theDC
churches.
In 1978,
California
to Washington
defeating
24 legislatedIndigenous
bills, designed
to AIM now rep375 million Indigenous
the longest
walk
from
terminateI coordinated
all treaties—and
forced the
US
governmentresents
to passover
the American
people around the world.
California
to Washington
DC defeatIndian Religion
Freedom
Act.
ing 24 legislated bills, designed to
AIM responded to the call for help from our elders in Wisconsin and
terminate all treaties—and forced the
It has not been an easy path, spiriMinnesota who were exercising the treaty rights both on reservation land,
US government to pass the Ameritual leaders and elders foresaw the
and land that was ceded. Super right wing organization with weapons of
of AIM’s spiritual strength and
can Indian Religion Freedom Act.
mass destruction attacked our traditional people theytesting
called themselves
stamina;
PARR (Protect American Rights & Resources) and STA (Stopdoubters,
Treaty infiltrators, those
who
wish
they
AIM
responded
to
the
call
for
help
Abuse) after a long struggle the Federal court in Wisconsin ruled in were
favorin the leadership,
and
those
from
our
elders
in
Wisconsin
and
of our treaties, and eventually the US Supreme court up help our rightwho
to didn’t want to
be
but
wanted
to
tear
Minnesota
who
were
exercising
the
spear net and fish not only on our nations land, but also an off reservation the movement
down or take it away have met with
treaty rights both on reservation land,
ceeded territory.
and land that was ceded. Super right
dismal failure.
AIM through
International
arm
wing its
organization
withPolitical
weapons
ofthe International Indian Treaty
Council,mass
carried
our treatiesattacked
all the way
the UnitedWe
Nations
in Geneva,
destruction
our to
tradicontinually
urge our men,
Switzerland,
after
gaining
non
government
organization
status
in 1977.
tional people they called themselves
woman, and children to stay strong
Indigenous peoples from all over the world joined this great movement,
PARR (Protect American Rights &
spiritually, self determination must
and organized the Permanent Forum on the Rights on Indigenous People
Resources) and STA (Stop Treaty
be the goal of all our work. Solidarity
under Bill Means leadership, and many years of struggle reaching out to
Abuse) after a long struggle the Fedmust be the first and only defense of
Indigenous people all over the world. In 2007 The United
Nations
eral
court
in
Wisconsin
ruled
in
favor
ouron
members.
I thank
headquarters located NY, NY passed, the “Declaration
the Rights
of all of you for
of
our
treaties,
and
eventually
the
making
this
organization
the greatest
Indigenous Peoples” AIM now represents over 375 million Indigenous
US
Supreme
court
up
help
our
right
movement
in
history.
people around the world.
to spear net and fish not only on our
It has notnations
been anland,
easybut
path
spiritual
forsaw
the testing
also
an off leaders
reserva-and elders
With
American
Indian Movement
of AIMstion
spiritual
strength
and stamina; doubters, infiltrators,
those who
Love,
ceded
territory.
wish they were in the leadership, and those who didn't want to be but
wanted toAIM
tearthrough
the movement
down orPolitical
take it away,
its International
have metarm
withthe
dismal
failure.
International Indian Treaty
Council,urge
carried
our treaties
alland
the
We continually
our men,
woman,
to the
United
Nationsself
in Geneva,
children way
to stay
strong
spiritually,
determinaafter
nonSolidarity
govtion mustSwitzerland,
be the goal of
all gaining
our work.
must be the
first and
only defense
of our
members.
ernment
organization
status
in 1977.
I thank all
of you forpeoples
making from
this organization
the
Indigenous
all over
greatest movement
in history.
the world joined
this great movement, and organized the Permanent
With American
Indian
Forum
on Movement
the RightsLove,
on Indigenous
Thunder Before
the under
Storm Bill Means leadership,
People
Aka Clyde Bellecourt
Thunder
Before the
Storm
Aka Clyde
Bellecourt
A Founder
and National Director
of AIM
For the complete history of AIM, read
Thunder Before the Storm by Clyde
Bellecourt.
and many years of struggle reaching
A Founder and National Director of AIM
27
A.I.M. INTERPRETIVE CENTER
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INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL
_____________________________
_____________________________
The Redstone Bldg.
2940 16th Street Suite 305
International Indian Treaty
International
CouncilIndian Treaty Council
San Francisco, CA 94103
The Redstone Bldg. The Redstone Bldg.
2940 16th Street Suite 2940
305 16th Street Suite 305
San Francisco, CA 94103
San Francisco, CA 94103
Our Future
Clyde & Peggy Bellecourt’s Grandchildren: Eric, Sundance, and Eldon
Clyde & Peggy Bellecourt’s
Clyde &Grandsons:
Peggy Bellecourt’s
Eric & Eldon
Grandsons: Eric & Eldon
A