American Indian Religious Freedom Act - Timeline Event
Time Period
1978
Description
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."
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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Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: Other GroupsOther Groups: Other ARDA Links
Related Dictionary Terms
Religion, Religious Freedom, Religious Tradition (RELTRAD)Photographs
Tipi for peyote ceremony- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Haiduc
American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978- US Congress
Book/Journal Source(s)
Jenkins, Philip, 2004. Dream Catchers: How Mainstream America Discovered Native Spirituality New York: Oxford University Press.Web Source(s)
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/329AIRFA.htmText of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act 1978
Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
