American Indian Religious Freedom Act
- Time Period
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1978
- Description
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The 1970s saw a resurgence of pride and interest in religious traditions and culture within Native American communities -- and activists exhibited renewed protest against the incursions of federal authorities. In 1977, representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy presented a list of religious grievances to the United Nations.The next year, Congress passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which pledged to protect and preserve religious freedom for American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts and Native Hawaiians. It also promised non-interference with the free exercise of Native religions.The act acknowledged that traditional American Indian religions are "an integral part of Indian life, are indispensable and irreplaceable." And it admitted that "the lack of a clear, comprehensive, and consistent Federal policy has often resulted in the abridgment of religious freedom for traditional American Indians."
- Interactive Timeline(s)
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Race/Ethnicity and Religion
Religious Minorities (Non-Christian)
- Browse Related Timeline Entries
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Race/Ethnicity and Religion in American History
Religious Minorities (Non-Christian) in American History
- Religious Groups
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Timeline Entries for the same religious group Other Groups
Other Groups: Other ARDA Links
- Photographs
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Tipi for peyote ceremony- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Haiduc
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American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978- US Congress
- Book/Journal Source(s)
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Jenkins, Philip , 2004. Dream Catchers: How Mainstream America Discovered Native Spirituality. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Web Source(s)
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http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/329AIRFA.htm
Text of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act 1978
- Web Page Contributor
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Sandi Dolbee
Affliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
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