You Are on Indian Land : Alcatraz Island, 1969-1971 (Native American Politics; No.5) [Paperback]

Troy R. Johnson (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0935626433 | ISBN-13: 978-0935626438 | Publication Date: January 1, 1995

photographs from the Indian occupation of Alcatraz

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: 160 pages
• Publisher: UCLA American Indian Studies Center (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935626433
• ISBN-13: 978-0935626438
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,400,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars Visit Alcatraz with Indians, September 4, 2011

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Walter W. Ko "Walter Ko" (St Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: You Are on Indian Land : Alcatraz Island, 1969-1971 (Native American Politics; No.5) (Paperback)

This documentary recorded what happened in Alcatraz Island, 1969 - 1971 with demands from Indian nations. It called to the attention why it happened, what they wanted and what were the results afterwards?

It was a photo collection through the eyes of those who participated. It witnessed success and failure, war and peace, promise and betrayal.

Now forty years after the event with civil right movement, President Clinton made a speech on Indian. It is up to us to learn more about First Americans not only on November but every day for understanding and appreciation.

Reviewing history helps to learn more!