Pan-Indianism

Pan-Indianism is a philosophy and movement promoting unity among different American Indian groups in the Americas regardless of tribal or local affiliations. Some academics use the term pan-Amerindianism as a form of disambiguation from other territories called Indian. The movement is largely associated with Native Americans in the Continental United States, but has spread to other indigenous groups as well. A parallel growth of the concept has occurred in Alaska and Canada. There, however, other indigenous peoples, such as the Inuit and the Métis are often included in a wider rubric, sometimes called pan-Aboriginal or some variation thereof.

Pan-Indian organizations seek to pool the resources of indigenous groups in order to protect the interests of native peoples across the world.

Early steps in the organization effort occurred in 1912 when members of the Creek, Choctaw, Cherokee, and Chickasaw tribes, united by their opposition to Allotment, formed the Four Mothers Society for collective political action. Also in 1912, the Alaskan Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood came together, centering on their shared interest of the protection of Native resources. In 1934, Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act, which reversed assimilation and allotment policies. This was an important step for Native American affairs. Among other things, this act granted "legal sanction to tribal landholdings; returned unsold allotted lands to tribes; made provisions for the purchase of new lands; encouraged tribal constitutions, systems of justice, and business corporations; expanded educational opportunities through new facilities and loans [. . .]; advocated the hiring of Indians by the Office of Indian Affairs [. . .]; extended the Indian Trust Status; and granted Indians Religious Freedom." The Pan-Indian movement grouped all Indians into one dominant culture, rather than recognizing individual tribal culture and practices.

Before there were successful national and continental organizations, there were several regional bodies which united multiple nations (tribes or bands) within the context of post-settlement politics. The Grand General Indian Council of Ontario was organized with missionary assistance in the 1870s and persisted until 1938. Likewise, the Allied Tribes of British Columbia was created in 1915.

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