Ten+Key+Elements


 * Ten Key Elements**

1: Goals The goals of the group were to have an economic independence, restore the lands that were sacred to them, and gain their civil rights. They also wanted to help Indians in urban areas and focus on spirituality, leadership, and sovereignty.

2: Leaders The AIM group was founded in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1968 by Dennis Banks , Clyde Bellecourt , Eddie Benton Banai, and George Mitchell. Later on, Russell Means became a very important spokesman for the group and was very influential. He is known to be a true hero and icon.

Dennis Banks was born in April 12, 1932. He was one of the founders of the AIM and a very important figure for the American Indians. He helped found the group because he wanted to obtain his civil rights and the rights of others. He was probably the most known leader out of the whole movement, apart from Rusell Means.

3: Action

One of the most succesful protest actions that occured was the takeover of Alcatraz. This happened in the late 1960's and went on to the early 1970's. A large group of Native Americans stayed in what was the penitentiary building without some of the basic needs. In 1972, The Trail of Broken Treaties which declared their opposition to government policy toward Native Americans. The caravan began on the West Coast in October, with protesters traveling by car, bus, and van. It reached its destination Washington D.C in early November. Another protest was the invasion of Wounded Knee in 1973, which was done to protest the tactics of the president of the Oglala Nation.

4:Allies The AIM group had many allies because this was a common cause and an important one too. These allies helped in many protests including the Trail of Broken Treaties. Some of the groups are: By joining and helping the AIM movement, these groups were ready to fight at any moment. They had to sacrifice most of their time to the movement, and many had to sacrifice their own life. During sme of their protest there was a lot of life loss, but no matter the circumstances the group moved forward with their allies.
 * National Indian Brotherhood (a Canadian Organization)
 * the Native American Rights Fund
 * the National Indian Youth Council
 * the National American Indian Council

5: Opponents The AIM movement had one major opponent: the goverment. The government did not give the native americans any rights for reasons that are associated with bureaucracy and power. The native americans fought against them for their rights. The goverment was very adamant with them, but they finally started helping them.

6: Outcomes The Americans Indian movement won many rights. They wanted to fix things such as treaty rights, living standards, and bad housing. Many of their actions helped them win some of these, if not all. They also got a chance to be equal.

7: Inspirational Words "Most importantly, the meaning of spirituality lays the seeds for our destiny and the path we must follow." Dennis Banks We liked this quote because it shows how the American Indians looked at life in a more spiritual way than most. Spirituality was a big component in this group's structure.

“Wounded Knee happened because Indian people wanted to survive as Indians and there wasn't any way to survive, so we made a stand and made a statement, but now Indian people are beginning to rebound, rebound according to their concept of "Beauty". And that's what's neccessary. To understand: Indian people have to become free again." Rusell Means What we liked about this quote is that it states a true moment that happened. It also includes the main purpose of the group: to become free.

8: Connection to the Present (Conexion al Presente)

Hoy en dia, hay muchos indigenas que han sidos beneficiados por este movimiento. Hay un grupo llamado NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) que trabaja en proteger los derechos de los indigenas. Los derechos que se merecen y que han ganado.

(haga clic aqui NCAI para visitar la pagina)

9: Common Elements( Elementos Comunes) Este movimiento ha luchado para los derechos civiles de los nativos americanos. El movimiento de abolicion trata sobre uno de los grupos que lucho por los derehos civiles de los esclavos Afro-Americanos. Este movimiento se parece porque en los dos movimientos estan luchando por sus derechos. Pero se diferencian porque son dos razas diferentes. El grupo AIM se enfoca en los derechos de los Indios Americanos y el grupo de abolicion se enfoca con los esclavos Afro-Americanos.

10: Artwork This picture is a hand-painted portrait of one the most prominent speakers from the AIM movement: Rusell Means. The artist is named Bob Coronato. He describes Rusell Means as a true icon and leader. In this portrait, the artist Bob Coronato asks Rusell Means to wear the "flag". This flag is upside down because it represents a sign of distress. This flag was a very known symbol. Rusell remembered how in the Navy they would put the flag upside down as a sign of distress. This flag left a big impact and it shows how people, American Indians, are still suffering. This portrait has a whole story behind it. It has reasons for everything. As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words."