conditions on reservations

• shrinking reservations 


  1. the gov forced changes to the Sioux reservation in 1876 but the Sioux did not agree
  2. in 1889 the IP were pressurised into signing reductions to the reservations
  3. six small reservations were created the rest of the land was sold off

  impact on IP - smaller reservations = less chance of buffalo going through

  Dawes Act
• taking away the power of the IP


  1. in 1880 the US gov set up special councils among the tribes - these were to take over the chiefs power - threats and bribes were used
  2. 1883 special courts took over the chiefs power to judge and punish the IP
  3. in 1885 these courts were abolished in favour of the US federal law

  why did the gov make these changes - to assimilate the tribes

  impact of legal changes - chiefs had no power
• government agents in the reservation


  1. they used bribes of increased food rations or medical supplies in return for good behaviour
  2. a number of IP joined the Indigenous Peoples Agency Police where they were fed, clothed and sheltered - they were responsible for keeping order amongst their former tribe people

  why was the Indigenous People Police Agency important - how the US got US laws enforced in reservations
• education and religion


  1. IP children were sent to schools far away from reservations - if parents refused their rations would be decreased or withdrawn
  2. the children lived and learnt under military-style conditions - they were taught to have no respect for their own ways, brought up as Christian and were punished if they spoke their own language or danced or kept sacred items
  3. by 1887, 2020 IP children were pupils at 117 boarding schools and 2500 were in 100 day schools

  the US di this to destroy the IP culture if the children didn't have the knowledge they couldn't pass it on