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“Self Determination of Free Peoples”: Founding Documents of the American Indian Movement (AIM)
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 sought to restore tribal self-determination. In the early 1950s, Congress passed legislation to limit this Act, terminating some American Indian reservations and cutting economic support for others. From 1950 to 1970, more than 100 American Indian tribes lost reservation lands, and the percentage of American Indians living on reservations dropped from 87% to 45%. These changes forced young American Indians to look for work in urban areas. In 1968, young urban-based American Indians in Minnesota formed the American Indian Movement (AIM) to fight mistreatment of American Indians by police and to improve prospects for jobs, education, and housing. In the early 1970s, AIM pressured the Federal government to honor 19th-century treaties that had established Indian peoples as sovereign entities. In 1972, AIM initiated “The Trail of Broken Treaties,” an intertribal caravan to reservations and subsequent march to Washington. In 1973, more than 2,000 American Indians came to Wounded Knee, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, following a courthouse disturbance. At this historic site where a massacre of Indians by U.S. cavalry soldiers in 1890 ended years of armed conflict, the demand for hearings on sovereignty rights was met with a siege by FBI forces, Federal marshals, and BIA police. The 71-day stand-off ended with assurances that the White House would seriously review the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty that had recognized sovereignty of the Lakota nation and their rights to valuable lands. That promise failed to materialize, and in the next few years more than 60 AIM members were killed at Pine Ridge. By the end of the decade, plagued by repression and internal disputes, AIM declined as a leading militant organization, although one faction remains. The following foundational documents were submitted to a Congressional committee by undercover FBI informant Doug Durham, who served for a time as AIM’s Director of Security.
Exhibit No. 8
BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT OF DES MOINES
(A.I.M. of Des Moines)
We the concerned Indian Americans, residents of the Des Moines area for the purpose of forming a corporation under and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter do hereby associate ourselves together as a body corporate and adopt the following By-Laws:
ARTICLE I
The name of this corporation shall be known as: The American Indian Movement of Des Moines (A.I.M. of Des Moines), residents of the Des Moines and greater Des Moines area. Suburbs. Located at 3833 Lower Beaver, Des Moines, Iowa, Polk County.
ARTICLE II
The purpose of this corporation shall be: to solicit and broaden opportunities for the Indian American in order that he may enjoy his full rights as a citizen of these United States, as well as his extended rights as a sovereign national native.
Objectives of the Indian American Movement of Des Moines—(AIM of Des Moines)
We, the concerned Indian American residents of the Des Moines area, organize to upgrade the conditions in which the Indian lives, and to improve the image which has been portrayed in stereotype form of the Indian American both on and off reservations.
Our main objectives are to solicit and broaden opportunities for the Indian American in order that he as a Sovereign Citizen of these United States as well as an equal part of Humanity, may enjoy his rights according to the Creed of this Nation.
We, the concerned Indian Americans, to be known as the American Indian Movement of Des Moines (A.I.M. of Des Moines), residents of the Des Moines and greater Des Moines area, do hereby adopt the following goals:
Short Range Objectives
A. Establish a program to better the Indian housing problem.
B. Establish a program directed toward Indian youth.
C. Establish a positive program for employment of Indian Americans.
D. Establish a program to educate the industry in the area of Indian culture and its effect on the Indian.
E. Establish a program to improve the communications between the Indian and the community.
F. Establish a program to educate the Indian citizen in his responsibility to his community.
Long Range Objectives
A. To generate unification within the Indian people.
B. To inform all Indian Americans of community and local affairs.
C. To encourage Indian Americans to become active in community affairs.
D. To bring the economic status of Indian Americans up to that of the general community.
ARTICLE III
This corporation shall not afford pecuniary gain, incidently, or otherwise to its members.
ARTICLE IV
The period of duration of corporate existence of this corporation shall be perpetual and corporate existence begins when certificate of incorporation is issued by the secretary of state.
ARTICLE V
The location of the registered office of this corporation shall be in this state: Des Moines, Iowa, Polk County. . . .
ARTICLE VIII
Section I.—The governing body of this corporation shall be the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the four officers, and seven members elected from the general membership.
Section II.—The Chairman shall be the presiding officer of the Board of Directors.
Section III.—The Board of Directors shall approve or disapprove all business, rules and regulations, governing this corporation with the approval of the membership whose decision shall be final on all matters.
Section IV.—All members of the Board of Directors shall be members of the American Indian Movement of Des Moines and of Indian heritage.
Section V.—Members of the Board of Directors shall not receive any stated compensation for their services but by resolution of this Board, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at such regular or special meetings, this would be subject to approval of the membership.
Section VI.—Any member who is absent without due reason for three consecutive meetings will be dismissed from the Board.
Section VII.—A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meetings of the Board.
Section VIII.—Any vacancy occurring in any office or directorship, shall be filled by the Board of Directors. A member elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
Section IX.—All funds collected shall not be dispursed without the Board’s approval. A full account of collections and expenditures must be made. Anyone found guilty of non-conformity to this section shall forfeit all rights and be subjected to criminal prosecution. The Board shall use its discretion in this matter. . . .
ARTICLE XIV
Membership
Section I.—Members of A.I.M. must be of American Indian heritage, also Non-Indians who are spouse of American Indians that have Indian children’s rights to protect.
Section II.—Non-Indians who have been so dedicated and interested in our Movement, Patrol, etc., can be made honorary members by motion in a general meeting. Honorary members shall not vote. Individuals may become members, by enrolling as such, providing they meet the qualifications spelled out in Section I of this Article. A member in good standing may remain a member at his will.
Section III.—No individual member or group of members shall use the name of the organization for personal gain; if proven guilty by the Board of Directors, they shall forfeit their rights as a member or members, as the case may be, immediately. . . .
Exhibit No. 10
OBJECTIVES OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT (AIM)
We the Concerned Indian Americans, residents of the St. Paul area, organize to upgrade the conditions in which the urban Indian lives, and to improve the image of the urban Indian.
We the Concerned Indian Americans, to be known as the American-Indian Movement (A.I.M.), residents of the St. Paul and greater St. Paul area, do hereby adopt the following goals:
Our main objective is to solicit and broaden opportunities for the urban Indian in order that he may enjoy his full rights as a citizen of these United States.
SHORT-RANGE OBJECTIVES
A. Establish a program to better the Indian housing problem.
B. Establish a program directed toward Indian youth.
C. Establish a positive program for employment of Indian American.
D. Establish a program to educate industry in the area of Indian culture and its effect on the Indian.
E. Establish a program to improve the communications between the Indian and the community.
F. Establish a program to educate the Indian citizen in his responsibility to his community.
LONG-RANGE OBJECTIVES
A. To generate unification within the Indian people.
B. To inform all Indian Americans of community and local affairs.
C. Encourage Indian Americans to become active in community affairs.
D. To bring the economic status of Indian Americans up to that of the general community.
PURPOSES
1. Articulate the need for jobs, job training, vocational counseling, housing, educational opportunities and related services for off-reservation Indians.
2. Inform legislative and administrative bodies of local, state, and federal government of the needs of all Indians. Support the efforts of the tribes to obtain the kind of development programs they, as Indians, want and need.
3. Present an accurate and dignified image of the Indian to the American public. Encourage a more accurate portrayal of the American Indian by mass media. Work for a balanced and informed treatment of the Indian in public school curricula. Support proposed improvements in Indian education that will strengthen, not weaken, Indian personality and cultural identification as well as prepare him for economic fulfillment.
4. Communicate to the urban Indians and to the general public, relevant information on Indian legislation and events, thereby strengthening the American Indian consciousness. Also, seek to interpret aspects of urban life and culture to Indians in order that they may adapt in the ways they feel meaningful to themselves, without abdicating their own identity. . . .
Exhibit No. 31
THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT, INC.
1500 PACIFIC BOULEVARD
VENICE, CALIFORNIA 90291
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
TO: Doug Durham - Administration
FROM: D. J. Banks, National Executive Director
SUBJECT: Operational Goal of National AIM
Here is a brief outline that should lead to the establishment of some working guidelines that the Staff should be introduced to.
While it is a working draft of our objectives, no attempt to de-classify the security placed on it should develop. Caution should be employed while reviewing its contents. Careful interpretation of its meaning is necessary; i.e., 5.0 (D) (E) (F); possible Program Objectives of AIM.
I will also expect to see visible changes that are reflective of this guide.
No part of this guide is to be reproduced without the explicit and the physical authority of the National Executive Director. . . .
5.0 POSSIBLE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES OF AIM
In general the overall policy of national AIM can be summarized as follows: . . . . to free Indian people throughout the Americas from white man’s oppression and racism so as to create free Indian states that reflect self determination of free peoples . . .
The translation of the above into workable objectives could be realized by the following programs:
A) Dissolution of the BIA.
B) Establishment of the free Indian Congress.
C) Re-establishment of reservation sovereignty and self determination.
D) Establish and conduct negotiations with all nations of the world for free trade and economic relations.
E) Develop complete social services system for Indian peoples on reservation complexes centered on Indian economic system utilizing fundamental Indian lands and resources as an economic base.
In order to accomplish the above goals many additional sub tasks must be brought to fruition which include but are not limited to:
A) Creation of health care facilities and programs.
B) Abolishment of all destructive practices from Indian peoples such as alcohol and drugs.
C) Develop and implement national Indian school system, Indian culture taught by Indians. (This does not exclude positive technical values from other cultures.)
D) Creation of Indian land states as part of the Indian Congress.
E) Establishment of trade tariffs and interface with surrounding countries in the world.
F) Creation of a judicial system that is based on Indian culture and mores.
The above long range goals can be assisted by planning and implementing the following short term realizable objectives:
1. Establish AIM Center (National).
2. Raise substantial capital, i.e., 10–20 million dollars.
3. Establish liaison and coordination with other groups in this country that share similar views so that interaction will be greatly optimized.
4. Creation of AIM chapters in every city, reservation, university or wherever there are more than 10 Indians that can be galvanized into an operating chapter.
5. Formulate and distribute operating manuals that will enable creation of effective local chapters with minimum difficulties.
6. Establish international coordination. . . .
7.0 RAILROAD OPERATIONS
As AIM matures the need for a realistic “railroad” system will come more to the fore. Until such time as the reservations revert to sovereign states there will be increasing difficulty for Indian warriors to freely move in the execution of their appointed tasks. To alleviate this problem it is suggested that each AIM chapter of 20 or more members maintain a “safe place” (SP). The SP could be anyone’s home, garage, etc. In order to provide maximum visibility each member of the chapter could be responsible for handling and maintaining traveling warriors or groups on a rotating basis. The AIM chapter leader would maintain the single point of contact for all incoming and outgoing people. Each chapter should provide basic staples only to visitors. These staples should include food and lodging and absolutely no drugs, alcohol or other illegal items.
Transportation should be provided by whomever is responsible for the visitors. Transportation should consist of in-town trips.
In order to effect movements of material and people with minimum risk it is suggested that chapters meet visitors half way between the nearest chapter that the visitors are coming from. In that way “long haul” out of state vehicles, etc. will not be observed thus lowering visibility of movement. Once AIM chapters are established across the country AIM Center can assume full coordination with warrior movements.
Local chapters will receive, report and maintain status on personnel movements via AIM center communications. This facility will accomplish several goals:
A) Security: Central will validate identities and personnel.
B) Control: Central will know at all times where personnel are located.
C) Involvement: Local chapters will be contacted continually thus allowing more information exchange, news, directives, etc.
In major cities where AIM chapters will be of considerable strength apartments or houses could be rented and continually changed for use of traveling people. This would be practical if there were large numbers of people at a given location for a specific purpose at a given time. However, the need for these SP’s must be developed as experience dictates.
8.0 MEDIA RELATIONS
Perhaps the most important element in AIM operations will be media relations. This function logically lies in AIM central however, local chapters must participate at the “grass roots” level. AIM must create the post of “press secretary”, “minister of propaganda” or whatever is deemed suitable. The role of this single point will be the dissemination of information to the press which includes foreign and domestic outlets.
The press secretary should accomplish the following initial tasks:
A) Conduct a national and world wide inventory of media outlets so as to develop a master index of all valid media contacts.
B) Differentiate this master index into national, international and local outlets.
C) Assign local outlets to local AIM chapters.
D) Develop the necessary machinery, equipment and procedures to effect a national and international press release or conference.
E) Develop the necessary capability to prepare video tape coverage of AIM events and other activities for release to key media outlets.
F) Create the image, in the media, that will be determined by the national leadership council or board.
The media function within AIM national will also regulate the flow of communications to all chapters as well as outside agencies or other groups. The media function shall be responsible to create “How To” books for local chapters so that they too can learn to use the media as a basic tool. . . .
12.0 SCHOOL SYSTEM
A major objective of the movement is to regain the young. Once the BIA is eliminated and individual tribal states are created schools will not be a major problem. However, until such times as this goal is realized AIM must plan, support and execute the following school activities:
1. Prepare and release to local AIM chapters a “how to manual” for founding an Indian school.
2. Since most behavior characteristics are learned within the first 5 years AIM should begin with pre-school and elementary education programs.
3. The manual should delineate the following points required to establish a school:
A) Determine best location for school based on Indian population distribution.
B) Determine basic modular minimum for number of teachers, facilities, etc.
C) Prepare proposals and seek federal monies for support of Indian educational programs.
D) Conduct recruiting for Indian teachers at all universities throughout the United States. (AIM National Center task)
E) Form whatever is best organizational form, i.e., 501C3 tax-exempt, non-profit corporation.
F) AIM National Center to provide basic teaching aids such as reading, cultural materials and lore. . . .
Source: Congress, Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Revolutionary Activities within the United States. Hearing before the Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act and Other Internal Security Laws of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 94th Cong., 2d Sess., April 6, 1976 (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976).