THE TRAIL OF BROKEN TREATIES 20-POINT POSITION PAPER (1972)

AN INDIAN MANIFESTO FOR RESTITUTION, REPARATIONS, RESTORATION OF LANDS FOR A RECONSTRUCTION OF AN INDIAN FUTURE IN AMERICA

PREAMBLE

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 have 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 ought 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 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 America has maintained faith with its original spirit, or may recognize it now, we should not be denied.

20-POINT POSITION PAPER

1. RESTORATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL TREATY-MAKING AUTHORITY:

2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TREATY COMMISSION TO MAKE NEW TREATIES:

3. AN ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE & JOINT SESSIONS OF CONGRESS:

4. COMMISSION TO REVIEW TREATY COMMITMENTS & 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:
A. Priorities In Restoration of the Native American Land Base:
B. Consolidation of Indians' Land, Water, Natural and Economic Resources:
C. Termination of Losses and Condemnation of Non-Indian Land Title D. Repeal of the Menominee, Klamath, and Other Termination Acts

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: