Highlights in the history of American Indian Movement
An AIM timeline
1968: AIM founded; starts patrols in Minneapolis to address issues of police brutality.
1969: Helped found Indian Health Board, first Indian urban-based health care provider in the nation.
1970: Legal Rights Center opens in Minneapolis with help of AIM members to provide adult and juvenile criminal defense; AIM engages in takeover of abandoned property at Naval Air Station at Fort Snelling.
1972: AIM members found the Little Red School House in St. Paul and Heart of the Earth Survival School in Minneapolis; Trail of Broken Treaties includes march on Washington, D.C., and occupation of Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters. AIM's 20-point proposal includes restoration of 110 million acres to American Indians.
1973: AIM leads 71-day takeover of Wounded Knee, S.D., over corruption on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
1974: AIM leaders Dennis Banks and Russell Means go on trial in U.S. District Court in St. Paul. After nine months, Judge Fred Nichol dismisses charges, citing government misconduct.
1975: U.S. Housing and Urban Development chooses AIM to sponsor Little Earth of United Tribes, the first Indian-run housing project.
1977: MIGIZI Communications founded with AIM support. AIM's International Indian Treaty Council receives non-governmental organization status with United Nations.
1978: Longest Walk across the U.S. protests anti-Indian legislation that calls for abrogation of treaties. The legislation is defeated.
1979: American Indian OIC, a job training program, is started in Minneapolis at AIM's initiative.
1991: The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media formed and protests at Super Bowl in Minneapolis.
2003: Native American Community Clinic is founded after AIM-supported demonstrations to defend three women doctors fired from the Indian Health Board.
Sources: American Indian Movement web sites, www.aimcollection.org/ and www.aimovement.org/
about the writer
Watch video highlights from Week 5 of MN high school football in this exclusive video produced by NSPN.tv.