In 1976, the mutilated body of Anna Mae Aquash, an American Indian Activist, was found on a South Dakota Ranch. It will take more than 25 years before her killer will be discovered. Anna Mae’s murder will make national news because of her involvement in the Indian Civil Rights Movement. Her goal was to improve the lives of indigenous people in America and Canada. (3)
Anna Mae was not the first or the last indigenous women to be slain after speaking out to protect her people or to gain civil rights.
Discuss the American Indian Civil Rights history and the historical processes since 1960s, and explain what events have led to indigenous people to legally fight for protection and try to legally prevent violence against Native American Women.
Additional information (optional to read)
Two volumes: Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Download Volume 1a
Download Volume 1b
Bibliography
(1) MMIW. “MMIW — Native Womens Wilderness.” Native Womens Wilderness. Last modified 2021. https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/mmiw#:~:text=MURDERED%20%26%20MISSING%20I
(2) Facing History Editors. “Universe of Obligation: Unit on Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Facing History and Ourselves. Last modified 2021. https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/universal-declaration-human-rights/universe-obligation.
(3) Robert, A. “Two young Native American lawyers call for action on missing and murdered Indigenous women.” ABA Journal. n.d. https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/two-young-native-american-lawyers-call-for-action-on-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women.
Image: Whetstone, Devin. “Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Will Move Us Closer to Climate Justice.” Greenpeace USA. Last modified June 11, 2020. https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/justice-for-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-will-move-us-closer-to-climate-justice/.
