During the Termination Era (the early 1950s to late 1960s), the U.S. government passed legislation stating that they would no longer recognize Tribal governments as sovereign nations and began incentivizing the relocation of Native peoples to urban centers across the country. Dr. Martin Reinhardt tells us about the 1953 Termination Act and Indian Relocation Act of 1956, and the devastating effects they had on treaty rights and Indigenous peoples’ foodways. Dr. Reinhardt also talks about how this attempt to suppress Indigenous sovereignty led to a new era of inter-tribal activism. These growing Red Power movements advocated for Tribal self-determination and demanded the restoration of treaty rights. The building activism that occurred during these years led to a new era in policy and the restoration of many treaty rights.

In this episode of Spirit Plate, Shiloh chats with:

Dr. Martin Reinhardt an associate Professor/Principal Investigator at Northern Michigan University Center for Native American Studies 

Episode Highlights: 

An Introduction to Martin’s Work 

• Dr. Reinhardt introduces himself as an Anishinaabe Ojibway citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians from Michigan. He is a tenured professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University, and is currently serving as the interim director of the Center for Native American Studies.  

• Dr. Reinhardt’s current research focuses on revitalizing relationships between humans and Indigenous plants and animals of the Great Lakes Region. He is a former research associate for the Interwest Equity Assistance Center at Colorado State University, and the former vice president for diversity and research for Educational Options, Inc.

Explaination of the 1953 Termination Act and Indian Relocation Act of 1956

• In 1953 the U.S. Congress established a new policy towards American Indians involving termination. This policy eliminated much government support for Indian tribes and ended the protected trust status of all Indian-owned lands. 

• In addition a companion policy of “relocation” which  through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) they moved thousands Indians off reservations and into urban areas was put into effect. 

• The BIA has changed dramatically over the past 185 years, evolving as Federal policies designed to subjugate and assimilate American Indians and Alaska Natives have changed to policies that promote Indian self-determination.

• Dr. Reinhardt answers/refelcts on how the 1953 Termination Act and Indian Relocation Act of 1956 have specifically impacted his tribe and community and ways that they are reclaiming their rights and foodways

History of the Red Power movement and how it is fight for Native American sovereignty

• The Red Power movement began in 1944 when the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was founded and began to lobby for Native American rights in the US. This group built its membership during the 1940s and 1950s and worked within all levels of government. 

• Dr. Reinhardt answers/speaks about his own journey with the Red Power movement and how he incorporates it into his teachings.  

• Dr. Reinhardt reflects on the achievements for the Red Power Movement and food insecurity in which AIM and the Red Power movement overturned the termination policy — including restoring the Menominee reservation — and forced the government to pass legislation that promoted self-determination.

Interdisciplinary Manual for American Indian Inclusion

• Dr. Reinhardt and his colleague, Traci Maday, created a manual thaty was developed for a broad range of educators, both Indian and non-Indian, engaged in the process of teaching others about American Indian concepts and issues across the curriculum

• Dr. Reinhardt defines the term American Indian inclusion broadly to encompass: people, curriculum content, pedagogy, educational philosophy, history, and the law.  Furthermore, the people may be Native or non-Native, the teacher or the student.

New Era of Inter-Tribal Activism and Looking ahead 

• Dr. Reinhardt reflects on the beginning of this new era  and how it has impacted food sovereignty for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• Dr. Reinhardt discusses the impacts outside of food that the new era of activism has has an impact on. 

• Dr. Reinhardt discusses his plans for the future and how anyone can get involved.