Lakota Independence

Lakota Indians

Independence Movement

Multiple Select

What independence movements have we learned about so far?

Hint: Select all that apply.

• Haiti

• Brazil

• America

• Mexico

• Canada

Poll

What independence movement have you enjoyed learning about the most?

• American

• Haitian

• Mexican

• Venezuelan

Lakota Indians

• Native American tribe who lived here before European colonization

• Member of the Sioux ("sew") nation.

• Most of their land is in North and South Dakota

Multiple Choice

Who are the Lakota Indians?

• Men who colonized America

• Slaves who fought for freedom

• Immigrants from Europe

• Native Americans of the United States

Where do they live now?

• Mostly found on the reservations in South Dakota

• A reservation is an area of land managed by an official Indian tribe and not the United States government.

• This land was considered “reserved” for the Native Americans.

Multiple Choice

What are Indian reservations?

• A land area for Native Americans given by the US government

• A place where the English can force soldiers to live

• A time period of colonization in the new world by European countries

Where the Conflict Started...

• The Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868 created the great Sioux reservation in South Dakota and Nebraska.

• In 1874, however, General George A. Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills accompanied by miners who were seeking gold.

•  Once gold was found in the Black Hills, miners were soon moving into the Sioux hunting grounds and demanding protection from the United States Army.  

  
  

Open Ended

What do you think about miners seeking gold in Lakota territory and demanding the US government protect them?

The Republic of Lakota

• In 2007, Russell Means said he and other members of Lakota tribes have renounced treaties and are withdrawing from the United States.

• Lakota tribes have long claimed that the U.S. government stole land guaranteed by treaties -- especially in western South Dakota.

Republic of Lakota

• A U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1980 awarded the tribes $122 million as compensation, but the court did not award land.

• The Lakota have refused the settlement. (As interest accrues, the unclaimed award is approaching $1 billion.)

  
  

Multiple Choice

Why are the Lakota Indians seeking independence from the United States?

• They are not from North America and want to leave

• They were brought here as slaves

• They have been mistreated by the US government

Reasons for Independence

• The group claims that control by the United States has led to massive unemployment, poverty and disease among the Lakota people.

• The group claims that withdrawal from the United States will reverse these problems, and help reestablish the Lakota language and culture.

• The group also claims persistent violations by the United States of their treaties with the Lakota.

Open Ended

Do you believe the US government should give them back their land and allow them to create a new country? Why or why not?