Taking inspiration from the civil rights movement, American Indians grew increasingly vocal in their demands for control over their own affairs. Staging demonstrations and occupations, they drew national attention to their grievances against unjust policies of the Federal Government and the negative impact they had on Native American people and culture.

Most protests were peaceful, but some of the more militant groups resorted to violence. Although largely unsuccessful at achieving their immediate demands, like the elimination of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American activists successfully raised American awareness and sympathy for correcting the nation’s ongoing injustices committed against indigenous peoples.