Alcatraz Indians

Duration:

Year Published: 1969

Complete Record: History (The Occupation of Alcatraz was an occupation of Alcatraz Island by the group Indians of All Tribes (IAT). The Alcatraz Occupation lasted for nineteen months, from November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971, and was forcibly ended by the U.S. government. In the early morning hours of November 20, 1969, 79 American Indians, including students, married couples and six children, set out to occupy Alcatraz Island. A partially successful Coast Guard blockade prevented most of them from landing, but fourteen protesters landed on the island to begin their occupation. The stated intention of the Occupation was to gain Indian control over the island for the purpose of building a center for Native American Studies, an American Indian spiritual center, an ecology center, and an American Indian Museum. The occupiers specifically cited their treatment under the Indian termination policy and they accused the U.S. government of breaking numerous Indian treaties.) CU of families walking on Alcatraz. WS of Alcatraz Island. Various shots of Indians chanting with drum beats. LS of chanting Indians walking. WS of the Indians chanting in a ceremony. CU of Indian pounding drums. Various shots of the Indians during ritual. WS of Alcatraz. LS of the side of the jail with people walking along side. CU of woman on ferry boat. WS of the lighthouse. WS of people on boat going by Alcatraz. Various shots of people on boat. LS of many arriving to Alcatraz and exiting the boat. Many are wrapped in blankets. Various shots of people walking. MS of a reporter says this walk by the Indians is for world peace, the earth, all things that grow and cast a shadow on it. Various shots of people walking. CU of an Indian being interviewed, the purpose of the walk is to call attention to our concerns in this country. The exploitation of the uranium resources and the waste being dumped on Indian reservations, and the sterilization of Indian women. He speaks about the 1st walk being spiritual and wanting to repeat that. Why Alcatraz? When Native American people became aware of the meanings of the IAT, it’s welfare, and it’s policies affecting Indian people.