How has the US government historically treated Native Americans?
Throughout history, the US government has had a complicated relationship with Native Americans. In the early days of the United States, Native Americans were often seen as a barrier to expansion and progress. Treaties were made with Native American tribes in an effort to acquire their land, but many of these treaties were broken or ignored. The US government also enacted a number of laws that were detrimental to indigenous communities. These laws included the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forced many tribes to move from their ancestral lands, and the Dawes Act of 1887, which sought to break up communal landholdings and integrate Native Americans into the dominant culture. In recent years, the US government has taken steps to improve the situation of Native Americans. In 1975, the Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act was passed, providing Native American tribes with more autonomy in the running of their own affairs. In addition, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (which allowed tribes to conduct gaming operations on their lands) have allowed tribes to gain greater economic independence. The US government has also recognized the importance of preserving Native American cultures and languages. Finally, the US Supreme Court has had an important role in the protection of Native American rights, ruling in several cases in favor of Native American treaty rights.
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