The Occupation of Alcatraz: 1969-1971

From November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971, Native Americans took over and held Alcatraz Island as Indian Land. The Occupation of Alcatraz Island was led by 89 Native Americans who were a part of the group, Indians of All Tribes (IAT). The take-over lasted 14-months and ended when the Native Americans were forcibly removed by the federal government. According to the IAT, under the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) between the U.S. and the Lakota, all retired, abandoned or out-of-use federal land was returned to the Native people who once occupied it. Since Alcatraz had been closed on March 21, 1963, and the island had been declared surplus federal property in 1964, a number of Red Power activists felt the island qualified for a reclamation.

Main Questions: What were the circumstances that lead to the occupation? Why did Native Americans in San Fran choose to occupy Alcatraz?

“The Indian Occupation of Alcatraz Island was the attempt of our people to awaken a nation asleep.”

“We liberated Alcatraz for everyone. Listen closely, for the drums and voices still come across San Francisco Bay from that island.”

“We came to Alcatraz with an idea. We would unite our people and show the world that the Indian spirit would last forever.”

“By hands of hate was this island transformed into a symbol of fear and oppression… Alcatraz is again the hateful symbol of oppression. Our Indian people have been removed from sacred ground, our children have felt guns to their heads. Steel fences are again being put up.”