The Rock Reclaimed: A 19-Month Stand for Native American Rights on Alcatraz
SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CA – For nearly two years, from the crisp dawn of November 20, 1969, until a quiet eviction on June 11, 1971, the desolate, windswept island of Alcatraz, once the nation’s most infamous federal prison, became a beacon of hope and defiance for Native Americans across the United States. In an audacious act of civil disobedience, a group of Indigenous activists, calling themselves the "Indians of All Tribes," seized the abandoned fortress, transforming "The Rock" from a symbol of incarceration into a powerful stage for self-determination. Their 19-month occupation, a daring blend of protest, community-building, and media savvy, forever altered the landscape of Native American activism and forced a nation to confront its broken promises.
The story of the Alcatraz occupation is not merely about a piece of land; it is a profound narrative of identity, sovereignty, and the relentless pursuit of justice. It was a pivotal moment that galvanized the Red Power movement, drawing international attention to the plight of Indigenous peoples and laying the groundwork for significant shifts in U.S. federal Indian policy.
The Seeds of Discontent: A Legacy of Broken Promises
To understand the fervor behind the Alcatraz occupation, one must look back at decades of systemic injustices. By the mid-20th century, federal policies, particularly the "termination policy" enacted in the 1950s, aimed to dismantle tribal governments, assimilate Native Americans into mainstream society, and liquidate their land holdings. This led to widespread poverty, cultural erosion, and a mass migration of Indigenous people from reservations to urban centers, often without adequate support or resources. The burgeoning civil rights movement of the 1960s, while primarily focused on African American rights, inspired other marginalized groups, including Native Americans, to demand their own recognition and justice.
The specific idea for Alcatraz emerged from the 1964 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which stipulated that unused federal land should revert to the Sioux. When Alcatraz Prison closed in 1963, its status as surplus federal property seemed to fit this criterion. Initial, smaller attempts to claim the island occurred in 1964 and 1969, but these were short-lived, lacking the organization and critical mass needed for a sustained presence.
The Landing: "We Hold the Rock!"
The decisive moment came on November 20, 1969. A flotilla of boats, carrying approximately 89 Native American students, activists, and their families, braved the choppy waters of San Francisco Bay. Led by charismatic Mohawk activist Richard Oakes, who had been instrumental in organizing the effort, they landed on Alcatraz, proclaiming their intent to reclaim the island "by right of discovery."
Their landing was strategic, seizing the media’s attention immediately. They issued a powerful declaration, known as "The Proclamation to the Great White Father and His People," which eloquently laid out their grievances and demands. In a move dripping with historical irony, they offered to buy the island from the U.S. government for "$24 in glass beads and red cloth," a direct reference to the legendary purchase of Manhattan Island. "We feel that 24 dollars in glass beads and red cloth would be a more than fair price," the proclamation stated, "for an island that is now worth nothing to the White man, but is a home of our culture."
Building a Nation on the Rock
What began as a protest quickly evolved into an ambitious experiment in self-governance. The occupiers established a functioning community on Alcatraz. They organized a council, set up a school for their children, a clinic, a kitchen, and even a radio station, "Radio Free Alcatraz," which broadcast messages of Indigenous solidarity to the mainland. John Trudell, a Santee Sioux, became the voice of the occupation, his powerful broadcasts keeping the public informed and the spirit of the movement alive.
Leaders like Richard Oakes provided initial direction and media presence, while others like LaNada Means War Jack, a Shoshone-Bannock student, played crucial roles in organizing the internal structure and advocating for the movement. Stella Leach, an Ojibwa nurse, tirelessly ran the island’s health clinic, tending to the needs of adults and children alike.
The occupation drew significant attention and support from diverse quarters. Celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Anthony Quinn, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young visited the island, lending their fame and resources. Donations of food, clothing, and money poured in from sympathetic individuals and groups. The sight of Native Americans, often depicted as a vanishing people, actively asserting their rights on such a prominent stage, resonated deeply with many.
Challenges and Turning Points
Life on Alcatraz was far from idyllic. The island, designed for incarceration, was ill-suited for habitation. There was no fresh water, electricity was unreliable, and the buildings, already decaying, were exposed to the harsh elements of the bay. Federal authorities soon imposed a blockade, cutting off direct supply routes and creating constant logistical challenges for the occupiers.
Internal struggles also emerged. The sheer difficulty of sustaining a diverse group of individuals from various tribal backgrounds, with differing philosophies and expectations, led to friction. As the occupation dragged on, some individuals not genuinely committed to the cause arrived, bringing with them issues like drug and alcohol abuse, which further strained resources and morale.
A significant turning point came in January 1970, when a fire, attributed to faulty wiring or arson, destroyed the lighthouse keeper’s home and the warden’s quarters. This incident, combined with the U.S. Coast Guard’s removal of the island’s barge, further damaged the already precarious infrastructure.
The personal toll was also immense. Richard Oakes’s stepdaughter, Yvonne, tragically died in a fall on the island in early 1970. This devastating loss, coupled with growing internal disagreements, led Oakes to leave Alcatraz, robbing the movement of its most recognizable leader and further destabilizing the occupation.
The Slow Erosion and Final Eviction
As the months turned into a year, and then beyond, public interest began to wane. The federal government, under President Richard Nixon, adopted a strategy of non-violent containment. They avoided direct confrontation, opting instead for a gradual withdrawal of services and a media campaign to discredit the occupiers. By cutting off power and phone lines and restricting access, they hoped to make life on the island untenable, forcing a voluntary departure.
By early 1971, the number of occupiers had dwindled dramatically from its peak of over 400 to a mere handful of dedicated individuals, many of them children. The dream of a permanent cultural center had become increasingly difficult to maintain.
On June 11, 1971, after 19 months and 9 days, federal marshals, FBI agents, and GSA special forces quietly moved onto the island. They found only 15 people remaining – six men, five women, and four children. The eviction was swift and largely peaceful, marking the end of one of the longest and most significant Native American protests in U.S. history.
A Legacy That Endures: "We Are Still Here"
Though the occupiers did not gain title to Alcatraz Island, their stand was far from a failure. The Occupation of Alcatraz was a resounding symbolic victory that fundamentally changed the discourse around Native American rights.
Its immediate impact was profound:
- Awareness: It brought the issues of Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and broken treaties into the national and international spotlight with unprecedented force.
- Policy Shift: The Nixon administration, perhaps swayed by the powerful imagery and public sympathy generated by Alcatraz, began to dismantle the termination policy. In 1970, President Nixon delivered a special message to Congress, declaring that "The time has come to break decisively with the past" and ushering in an era of self-determination, recognizing tribal sovereignty and supporting tribal control over their own affairs.
- Empowerment: Alcatraz inspired a generation of Native American activists and galvanized the Red Power movement. It directly influenced subsequent protests, such as the Trail of Broken Treaties in 1972 and the Wounded Knee Occupation in 1973, demonstrating the power of collective action.
- Cultural Resurgence: The occupation fostered a renewed sense of pride and cultural identity among Native Americans, encouraging the preservation and celebration of Indigenous languages, traditions, and governance structures.
Today, Alcatraz Island remains a potent symbol. While managed by the National Park Service, its history as the site of the Native American occupation is prominently featured. Each Thanksgiving, Native Americans gather for an "Un-Thanksgiving Day" sunrise ceremony on the island, commemorating the occupation and honoring their ancestors.
The voices that echoed across the bay in 1969 – "We are still here!" – continue to resonate. The occupation of Alcatraz was a powerful assertion of Indigenous resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who, against overwhelming odds, dared to reclaim their narrative and demand their rightful place in a nation built upon their ancestral lands. It was not just an occupation; it was a reclaiming of voice, a defiant stand that continues to shape the ongoing struggle for Native American justice and self-determination.
