The Indian Termination Policy
The Indian Termination Policy was intended to assimilate the Native Americans as individuals (as opposed to one ethnic group) into mainstream Western civilization. At least, that was the belief. It was established by Congress as a means of ending all relations between Native American Tribes and the federal government. The Termination Policy was intended to grant all the privileges and rights of citizenship to the Native Americans; however, it actually ended tribe sovereignty and freedom, trusteeship of the reservations and exclusion of Indians from state laws. In addition, Native Americans also had to deal with taxes and state laws, which they were previously exempt from. Some of the strongest supporters of the Termination Policy even drew comparisons to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in the confederate states.
In 1943, a survey was taken of Indian living conditions on the reservations. They were found to be extremely poor, crushed under the excess weight of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which had mismanaged and ultimately brought on many troubling problems. They came to the conclusion that many tribes didn't need protection from the federal government anymore; that they'd be better off with greater independence as opposed to leaning on the troubling Bureau of Indian Affairs, also known as the BIA.
In 1943, a survey was taken of Indian living conditions on the reservations. They were found to be extremely poor, crushed under the excess weight of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which had mismanaged and ultimately brought on many troubling problems. They came to the conclusion that many tribes didn't need protection from the federal government anymore; that they'd be better off with greater independence as opposed to leaning on the troubling Bureau of Indian Affairs, also known as the BIA.
Legislation
The House Concurrent Resolution 108 of 1953 announced the official federal termination policy. Resolution 108 demanded the immediate termination of the Flathead, Klamath, Menominee, Potawatomi, and Turtle Mountain Chippewa, as well as all tribes in the states of New York, Florida, California and Texas. Termination of a tribe meant the immediate withdrawal of all federal aid, services, and protection, as well as the end of reservations. Members of tribes officially became United States citizens, adopting all rights and responsibilities of citizenship immediately.
Effects of Termination
Termination ultimately had a negative impact on tribes deemed eligible, primarily in education, health and tribe economy. The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin experienced a school drop-out rate of more than 75%, resulting in a whole generation in the tribe that had little more than a 9th grade education; hardly enough to live comfortably as a United States citizen.
Before termination, the Indian Health Service (IHS) gave health care to many tribes. However, with the new termination policy, most of them were rendered ineligible, and were left with no access to hospitals, clinics or health care in general. The health of Native Americans dropped far below that of white Americans.
After being thrust into the American system with no immediately introduced industry or business but an increase in taxes, the economy of most terminated tribes suffered. While they were rarely truly strong, the increase in both taxes AND unemployment led to much of the Indian population falling into poverty.
Before termination, the Indian Health Service (IHS) gave health care to many tribes. However, with the new termination policy, most of them were rendered ineligible, and were left with no access to hospitals, clinics or health care in general. The health of Native Americans dropped far below that of white Americans.
After being thrust into the American system with no immediately introduced industry or business but an increase in taxes, the economy of most terminated tribes suffered. While they were rarely truly strong, the increase in both taxes AND unemployment led to much of the Indian population falling into poverty.
