Reservation Era Begins 1850-1878

Once gold is found on Native lands, removal ideology evolves into forcing tribal nations onto reservations, on undesirable land with restricted freedoms and no rights. They are interned and live...Read More

Viewing Settler Colonial Policy Events OnlyClear

1850

Indian slavery of Native children in California

The California legislature passes the Indian Act of 1850, authorizing the arrest of “vagrant” Natives...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1851

1851 Indian Appropriations Act provides funds to move western tribes onto reservations

Congress passes the Appropriations Act to steal prime land from the Plains tribes for American...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1851

Roads and railroads move into the West

The U.S. government surveys lands for roads and railroad development across tribal territories. With the...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1854

Gadsden Purchase

With the 1854 Gadsden Purchase, the U.S. acquires lands in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1862

Army Medical Museum calls for Indian heads, bodies, and other remains

On May 21, 1862, Surgeon General William A. Hammond establishes the Army Medical Museum and...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1864

Colorado governor creates militia to kill “hostile Indians"

Governor John Evans orders peaceful Indians in eastern Colorado Territory to report to Sand Creek...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1865

Civil War ends; debt peonage continues for Native Americans

Congress passes the 13th Amendment, prohibiting both slavery and involuntary servitude. The U.S. Supreme Court...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1868

Reservation Era takes off with missionary zeal

U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant launches a reorganization of the Indian Health Service and a...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1868

U.S. Army and frontiersmen Native grave robbing

American military actively solicits Native grave robbing. On January 13, 1868, the U.S. Army urges...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1869

“The only good Indian is a dead Indian”

Comanche Chief Tosahwi reputedly tells Sheridan in 1869, “Tosahwi, good Indian," to which Sheridan supposedly...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1871

Congress ends treaty-making with tribes; creates system of coerced dependency

Tribes in the U.S. are no longer recognized as independent nations by the federal government,...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy
1872

General Mining Act allows the staking of Indian lands without consent

U.S. President Grant signs the Mining Act into law, which allows individuals and corporations to...Read More

Settler Colonial Policy

Investing in Native Communities

A joint project of Native Americans in Philanthropy and Candid

History Through a Native Lens

Select Era:

Tribal Independence Era

Epidemics, Slavery, Massacres, and Indigenous Resistance

Invasion from All Directions—Stolen Lands, Stolen Peoples

Strategic Alliances and Trail of Broken Treaties

Sovereign Nation Era Ends

Indian Removal Era Begins

Reservation Era Begins

Boarding School and Land Allotment Eras

Indian New Deal, Tribal Termination, and Urban Relocation

Indian Self-Determination and Self-Governance Era

Reservation Era Begins 1850-1878

Indian slavery of Native children in California

1851 Indian Appropriations Act provides funds to move western tribes onto reservations

Roads and railroads move into the West

Gadsden Purchase

Army Medical Museum calls for Indian heads, bodies, and other remains

Colorado governor creates militia to kill “hostile Indians"

Civil War ends; debt peonage continues for Native Americans

Reservation Era takes off with missionary zeal

U.S. Army and frontiersmen Native grave robbing

“The only good Indian is a dead Indian”

Congress ends treaty-making with tribes; creates system of coerced dependency

General Mining Act allows the staking of Indian lands without consent

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