Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 by Jerilyn Nick

Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975

• Important People Involved: President Nixon; Native American population


• January 4, 1975
  
• The Indian Self-Determination (and Education Assistance) Act of 1975 was a law passed by President Richard Nixon in order for government agencies such as Secretaries of Education, Health, and Welfare to establish contracts with Indian tribes. Through those contacts, Native American tribes were able to gain financial grants in order to build things such as a health clinic. This allowed the tribes to be able to manage their societies and finances better than before, without being assimilated and/or their tribes being assimilated.
  
• As stated above, the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 provided federally recognized Native American tribes with financial support from government agencies. Prior to the passing of the act, the government focused more on assimilating the Native American population and terminating their tribes. The Act served to reverse that effort, giving more control and freedom to the tribes.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Self-Determination_and_Education_Assistance_Act_of_1975