'Endowed with the Same Right and Claim': American Indian Political Activism in Congress, 1889 to 1970

Federal Indian policy in the US has followed an odd course over time. From 1889 to 1970, American Indian tribal governments' progress toward realpolitik sovereignty encountered stagnation, explosive change, regression, and incremental reform. What drove changes in American Indian political influence in national politics over the long haul? To answer this question, I use original quantitative analysis of Congressional hearings on Indian policy from 1889 to 1970. I evaluate the pace of agenda changes and access for American Indian advocates. I hypothesize that the changing interests of non-Indians were key determinants, more so than the changing ideologies of non-Indians. Also, changing representation from Western states shaped the approaches of Western legislators as well as the strategies of tribal activists. In sum, I consider the implications of social conditions and political representation for American Indian activists. As national conditions changed, American Indian political leaders encountered new political challenges and opportunities.