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New program trains American Indians in public health
"Tribal citizens take eight-week training courses in establishing environmental sanitation programs in their communities. This is the first hands-on public health program for American Indian communities." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/485.html -
Congress seeks to abolish tribes, relocate American Indians
"Congress passes a resolution beginning a federal policy of termination, through which American Indian tribes will be disbanded and their land sold. A companion policy of “relocation” moves Indians off reservations and into urban areas." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/488.html -
President Eisenhower establishes the Indian Health Service
"President Dwight Eisenhower signs the Indian Health Transfer Act, which moves responsibility for Indian health care from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the Public Health Service and creates the Indian Health Service. The Indian Health Service is able to focus resources and expertise on providing health care and public health services to the growing American Indian communities." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/490.html -
Congress mandates clean water, sanitary sewers for reservations
"Congress authorizes the Public Health Service to provide clean drinking water sources and waste disposal services on reservations. A requirement that communities participate in selecting and building the sanitary facilities is the first experience that tribes have in joint management and decision making with the federal government on any aspect of their health programs." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/500.html -
Native organizations unify; call for federal recognition of rights
"Three regional Alaska Native organizations—the Alaska Native Brotherhood, the Dena Nena Henash, and the Iñupiat Paitot—agree to affiliate. The new group expresses strong disagreement with the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Alaska Task Force report on land claims and needs." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/505.html -
Police brutalize tribal fishermen in Washington State
"Local police brutalize tribal fishermen on the Puyallup River at Frank’s Landing, near Tacoma, Washington. Hank Adams, spokesman for the Survival of American Indians Association, sends an open letter to incoming Washington governor Dan Evans, informing him that Frank’s Landing is being posted against trespassing and that an armed guard is being stationed to prevent opposition by police officers." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/634.html -
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42,000 Native men and women serve in Vietnam
"During the Vietnam War, more than 42,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives join the U.S. armed forces. Poor military record keeping may have undercounted the number. American Indians seek each other out and share dismay that stereotypes about Indians influence officers to send them out front during dangerous missions." https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/649.html
