Native American Occupation of Alcatraz Island
Excerpt from the Alcatraz Proclamation
We, the Native Americans, re-claim the land known as Alcatraz Island in the name of all American Indians by right of discovery . . .
We will purchase said Alcatraz Island for twenty-four (24) dollars in glass beads and red cloth, a precedent set by the white man’s purchase of a similar island [Manhattan] about 300 years ago . . .
We feel that this so-called Alcatraz Island is more than suitable for an Indian reservation, as determined by the white man’s own standards. By this we mean that this place resembles most Indian reservations in that:
1. It is isolated from modern facilities, and without adequate means of transportation.
2. It has no fresh running water.
3. It has inadequate sanitation facilities.
4. There are no oil or mineral rights.
5. There is no industry and so unemployment is very great.
6. There are no health care facilities.
7. The soil is rocky and non-productive; and the land does not support game [animals].
8. There are no educational facilities.
9. The population has always exceeded the land base.
10. The population has always been held as prisoners
Further, it would be fitting and symbolic that ships from all over the world, entering the Golden Gate, would first see Indian land, and thus be reminded of the true history of this nation. This tiny island would be a symbol of the great lands once ruled by free and noble Indians.
We will purchase said Alcatraz Island for twenty-four (24) dollars in glass beads and red cloth, a precedent set by the white man’s purchase of a similar island [Manhattan] about 300 years ago . . .
We feel that this so-called Alcatraz Island is more than suitable for an Indian reservation, as determined by the white man’s own standards. By this we mean that this place resembles most Indian reservations in that:
1. It is isolated from modern facilities, and without adequate means of transportation.
2. It has no fresh running water.
3. It has inadequate sanitation facilities.
4. There are no oil or mineral rights.
5. There is no industry and so unemployment is very great.
6. There are no health care facilities.
7. The soil is rocky and non-productive; and the land does not support game [animals].
8. There are no educational facilities.
9. The population has always exceeded the land base.
10. The population has always been held as prisoners
Further, it would be fitting and symbolic that ships from all over the world, entering the Golden Gate, would first see Indian land, and thus be reminded of the true history of this nation. This tiny island would be a symbol of the great lands once ruled by free and noble Indians.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/56620/Native-Americans-during-a-short-lived-occupation-of-Alcatraz-Island
Questions:
1. What is the purpose of holding the American Flag?
2. What do you notice about the demeanor and expressions of the Native Americans in the picture?
3. Is there a symbolic purpose in the Native Americans wearing their traditional ceremonial dress? Why or Why not?
1. What is the purpose of holding the American Flag?
2. What do you notice about the demeanor and expressions of the Native Americans in the picture?
3. Is there a symbolic purpose in the Native Americans wearing their traditional ceremonial dress? Why or Why not?
Sign Outside of Alcatraz Prison
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2005/mickeyz191105.html
Questions:
1. How did the Native Americans change the atmosphere of the island based on what you see in these two pictures?
2. What do you think was the reponse of White Americans to the defacing of this sign?
3. Based on what you have seen in these two pictures, what did Alcatraz symbolize?
1. How did the Native Americans change the atmosphere of the island based on what you see in these two pictures?
2. What do you think was the reponse of White Americans to the defacing of this sign?
3. Based on what you have seen in these two pictures, what did Alcatraz symbolize?