Lakota Black Hills Treaty Rights

LAKOTA BLACK HILLS TREATY RIGHTS http://www.tribalwisdom.org/treaties.html 1787 - Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – Stated that “The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their land and property shall never be taken from them without their consent…” 1825 - Removal Act – Created “Permanent Indian Country” in what was considered the “Great American Desert” – Areas west of the western borders of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota – The year of “Trail of Tears” for Cherokee, Creek & Chickasaw as they are relocated to Oklahoma 1830 - Supreme Court Case (Worcester vs. Georgia) Determined that Indian Nations are “Distinct, independent political communities.” 1842 – First Wagon Trains cross Indian Country on the “Oregon Trail” 1849 – Gold discovered in California – 90,000 settlers moved west through Indian Country and split the Buffalo herd in half. 1851 – First Fort Laramie Treaty - Defined Tribal Areas, committed to a “lasting peace between all nations”, gave US Right to construct roads and military posts, agreed to compensate the tribes $50,000 per year for 50 years, indicated the Black Hills as Lakota land. Annuity could be in the form of farming supplies and cattle, to “save, if possible, some portion of these ill-fated tribes” according to BIA Supt. Mitchell. The US Senate reduced the annuity to 10 years without the Lakota’s knowledge 1857 – Grand Gathering of the Lakota – Held at the base of Bear Butte in the Black Hills. 7,500 Lakota gathered, including Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull who pledged to not allow further encroachment by whites. 1858 – Yankton Tribe sold 15 million acres to US, angering the other tribes, who questioned the Yankton’s authority to sell land without full Lakota consent. 1859 – Colorado Gold Strike – 80,000 moved west through Indian Country. 1861 – Montana Gold Strike – Bozeman Trail created, which disturbed Northern herd of Buffalo. 1862 - Sioux Uprising in Minnesota – Sioux revolt against US Army due to undelivered rations and poor living conditions. 303 Santee condemned, Lincoln commuted all but 40 who were hung in the largest mass execution in US history. 1862-1868 - Period of Hate – Wagon Trains attacked – Bounties Issued on Indians - Many battles occurred – Sand Creek Massacre occurred. 1866 - Fort Laramie Treaty of 1866 – Provided Annuities for free use of the Bozeman Trail - Red Cloud and Spotted Tail split - Treaty not Signed by required Lakota. 1868 - Fort Laramie Treaty of April 29, 1868 i. Article 2 – Black Hills are “for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupancy of the Sioux.” ii. Article 12 – No future land sales valid without approval of ¾ of the Sioux males. 1870 - Red Cloud and Spotted Tails’ trip to Washington – denied knowledge of language in 1868 treaty requiring moving to Missouri. 1871 – Congress abolishes Treaty Process 1873 – Congress forbids Indian’s right to sue US Government without permission from Congress 1874 - Custer’s Black Hills Expedition of July 1, 1874 i. Under orders of Gen. Sheridan to secure the Hills to keep marauding Lakota bands out. ii. Custer requested that he bring prospectors. iii. Custer took 1000 Infantrymen iv. On July 27th – gold discovered 1875 – Black Hills Gold Rush - prospectors flood the Black Hills i. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail called to Washington for sale terms – they refuse ii. Lakota offered $6 million for Black Hills, wanted $70 million iii. President Grant decides Indians against the will of the US, turns issue over to the War Dept, Indian wars resume. iv. Custer killed at Little Big Horn 1876 – “Sell or Starve Act” Congress passes punitive rider suspending rations to Lakota until they agree to cede the Black Hills, stating the Lakota were against the interests of the US. 1877 - Manypenny Agreement/US Act of February 28, 1877 (Signed by minority of Lakota in 1876) i. Took Black Hills (7.3 million acres) in exchange for 900,000 acres of grazing land. ii. Provided for “self-sustaining” rations iii. Established education for the Indians by the US Govt, and mandated that rations were provided only if the children attended school iv. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail signed, and only 10% of adult males. 1879 – Carlisle Indian School Founded with removal of 84 children from Pine Ridge and Rosebud 1882 Treaty – Unfavorable Treaty for the Lakota was rejected by Congress 1887 General Allotment Act (Dawes Act) i. Assigned 160 acres per Indian head of household ii. Held in trust for 25 years, then allowed to keep or sell iii. Government “purchased” all excess lands to sell to homesteaders iv. 60 million acres, 40% of Indian land, was sold to whites. The US Act of March 2, 1889 (Crook’s Agreement) i. Offered Lakota 320 acres per household ii. Offered higher price per acre iii. Sitting Bull and Red Cloud refused to sign iv. Crook obtained 4463 signatures out of 5678 v. By 1910 – Land awards complete 1906 Burke Act – Suspended 25 year trust provision of the Dawes’ Act for “Competent and “Capable” Indians. 1904 – 1912 : “Surplus Land Statutes” take another 1 million acres of Native American lands. .

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