Alcatraz: Indian Land Forever (Native American Politics; No. 4) [Paperback]

Troy R. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994 | Series: Native American Politics; No. 4

The occupation of Alcatraz Island represents the longest continuous occupation of a federal facility by any minority group in US history. Alcatraz set in motion a wave of overtly nationalist Indian militancy that ultimately resulted in abandonment of the US government's policy of termination and the adoption of a policy of Indian self-determination. This publication commemorates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Alcatraz occupation and presents poetry and political statements written by Indian people during the occupation or in commemoration of the event.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Published by the prestigious American Indian Studies Center at UCLA and edited and introduced by UCLA history professor Johnson, a member of the center faculty, these two books commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island by "Indians of All Tribes" that began on November 20, 1969. Although the last 15 Indian protesters were removed from the island on June 11, 1971, by U.S. marshals, GSA federal protection officers, and FBI agents, the occupation is not considered a failure within the Indian movement because it was a forerunner for many events of late 20th-century Indian history, including a takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington in 1972. You Are on Indian Land!, which relies primarily on black-and-white and color photographs to document the occupation, shows the bleak reality of Alcatraz and life as it was lived by Indian activists during this episode. The result is essential for collections of Native American history and is recommended for all libraries. With its harsh conditions, waterless terrain, and prison history, Alcatraz is a metaphor for Native existence and reservation life. In Alcatraz: Indian Land Forever, this metaphor is explored in pronouncements (some first heard on "Radio Free Alcatraz"), in poetry, in activists' speeches, and in passages like these from Grace Thorpe: "Alcatraz was the catalyst and the most important event in the Indian movement....It made me put my furniture in storage and spend my life savings." This book, along with its companion volume and Adam Fortunate Eagle's Alcatraz! Alcatraz! (LJ 9/1/92), records an important event and is recommended for libraries of all kinds.?Margaret W. Norton, Montay Coll. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Troy Johnson is associate professor of American Indian studies and history at California State University, Long Beach. He received a master's degree in American Indian studies and a Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is author of of numerous articles and books focusing on American Indians in the contemporary period.

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: University of California, American Indian Stu (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935626409
• ISBN-13: 978-0935626407
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,833,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)