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The Occupation of Alcatraz

Indians of All Tribes

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On a foggy morning in November 1969, a group of Native activists set foot on the island of Alcatraz, an abandoned prison in the San Francisco Bay. This marked the beginning of a brave and historic occupation that would last 19 months, becoming a powerful symbol of Native resistance and a turning point in the struggle for Native rights.

 The occupiers, who identified themselves as Indians of All Tribes (IAT), were a diverse group of Natives from various Tribes across the United States.

They were driven by a common cause: to reclaim land that rightfully belonged to them and to draw attention to the injustices faced by Tribal communities.

Their leader, Richard Oakes, a Mohawk from New York, eloquently voiced their demands, stating that the occupation aimed to establish a center for Native studies, an ecological center, and a spiritual center on the island. LaNada Means War Jack a student of UC Berkeley, was a main strategist and leader of the IAT movement as well. Her and Richard worked extremely well together and were both highly organized.

 The choice of Alcatraz was symbolic.

The island, once home to one of America's most notorious prisons, represented a place of confinement and despair. By occupying it, the activists sought to transform it into a place of hope and empowerment. The occupation was rooted in a clause of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which stated that surplus government land could be returned to Native Americans.

The activists argued that Alcatraz, having been declared surplus property after the prison closed in 1963, should be returned to its rightful owners. Richard at one point, even offered to buy the land for 24 dollars for 16 acres, which was more than Natives were being paid for their land in California at the time.

Oakes told the protesters not to bring guns. Much like Black civil rights protesters in the South, they would not cast the first stone. The point of nonviolent resistance was to be better than your adversary, to show the public the rightness of your cause and win their support.

He drew a line during the occupation’s first week, when several members of the American Indian Movement arrived at the island. AIM was a paramilitary group in Minnesota that promoted armed rebellion. According to one occupier who recalled this story to Blansett, Oakes’ biographer, in 2001, the AIM guys offered to take over the protest and “run it from here.” Oakes’ response was, “Get the f*%k off this island, I’ll kick your ass.” The militants hurried to the boat.

 Once they captured it, they had to keep it and life on Alcatraz during the occupation was challenging.

The island lacked basic amenities such as electricity, running water, and adequate shelter. Despite these hardships, the Natives remained strong. They established a community on the island, with families, children, and elders living together. The activists used media to garner public support, drawing attention to their cause and educating the broader public about Native issues. Celebrities and politicians visited the island, lending their support and helping to amplify the movement's message.

 The federal government's response was mixed. Initially, there was a reluctance to forcibly remove the Natives, partly due to the potential backlash and partly due to the ongoing civil rights movements across the country.

However, as the occupation dragged on and conditions on the island deteriorated, the government began to take a more aggressive stance.

In June 1971, federal marshals moved in to remove the remaining occupiers, bringing an end to the occupation.

Despite its end, the occupation of Alcatraz had a lasting impact. It ignited a wave of activism among Natives, leading to the formation of various advocacy groups and the passage of significant legislation, such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.

The occupation also helped to foster a sense of unity and identity among Tribes, many of whom had been dispersed and disconnected due to centuries of displacement and assimilation policies.

The legacy of the Alcatraz occupation continues to resonate today. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Native communities and our ongoing struggle for sovereignty and justice. The occupation was not just about reclaiming a piece of land; it was about reclaiming a sense of dignity, culture, and identity that had been systematically eroded. Alcatraz remains a symbol of resistance, a testament to the power of grassroots activism, and a beacon of hope for future generations of Natives. 

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

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