Native American Legislation
Indian Appropriations Act (1865) – Funded relocation of tribes onto reservations and
reinforced federal control over Native lands.
Dawes Severalty Act / General Allotment Act (1887) – Divided tribal lands into individual
allotments to encourage assimilation and reduce communal land holdings.
Indian Appropriations Act (1908) – Provided funding for Indian boarding schools to
promote assimilation.
Indian Citizenship Act (1924) – Granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in
the U.S.
Indian Reorganization Act / Wheeler-Howard Act (1934) – Ended allotment policy,
restored tribal governments, and encouraged self-governance.
Indian Mineral Leasing Act (1938) – Allowed tribes to lease lands for mineral extraction
under federal oversight.
Indian Claims Commission Act (1946) – Established a commission to resolve historical
land claims and grievances.
House Concurrent Resolution 108 / Termination Policy (1953) – Began ending federal
recognition of many tribes and withdrawing federal support.
Indian Relocation Act (1956) – Encouraged Native Americans to move from reservations
to urban areas for work, often leading to cultural disconnection.
American Indian Civil Rights Act (1968) – Applied many U.S. constitutional rights to tribal
governments.
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) – Allowed tribes to
manage federal programs on reservations themselves.
Indian Health Care Improvement Act (1976) – Funded improved healthcare services for
Native Americans.
Indian Child Welfare Act (1978) – Protected tribal rights in child custody cases to prevent
removal of Native children from their families.
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988) – Established rules for Native American gaming
operations, creating economic development opportunities.
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) – Required federal
agencies and institutions to return Native American remains and cultural items to tribes.
Indian Appropriations Act (1865) – Funded relocation of tribes onto reservations and
reinforced federal control over Native lands.
Dawes Severalty Act / General Allotment Act (1887) – Divided tribal lands into individual
allotments to encourage assimilation and reduce communal land holdings.
Indian Appropriations Act (1908) – Provided funding for Indian boarding schools to
promote assimilation.
Indian Citizenship Act (1924) – Granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in
the U.S.
Indian Reorganization Act / Wheeler-Howard Act (1934) – Ended allotment policy,
restored tribal governments, and encouraged self-governance.
Indian Mineral Leasing Act (1938) – Allowed tribes to lease lands for mineral extraction
under federal oversight.
Indian Claims Commission Act (1946) – Established a commission to resolve historical
land claims and grievances.
House Concurrent Resolution 108 / Termination Policy (1953) – Began ending federal
recognition of many tribes and withdrawing federal support.
Indian Relocation Act (1956) – Encouraged Native Americans to move from reservations
to urban areas for work, often leading to cultural disconnection.
American Indian Civil Rights Act (1968) – Applied many U.S. constitutional rights to tribal
governments.
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) – Allowed tribes to
manage federal programs on reservations themselves.
Indian Health Care Improvement Act (1976) – Funded improved healthcare services for
Native Americans.
Indian Child Welfare Act (1978) – Protected tribal rights in child custody cases to prevent
removal of Native children from their families.
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988) – Established rules for Native American gaming
operations, creating economic development opportunities.
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) – Required federal
agencies and institutions to return Native American remains and cultural items to tribes.
