American Indian Religious Freedom Act
At a glance:
- Series: American Indians Ready Reference
- Categories: Religion, Ethics, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest
- Subcategories: Civil Rights, Minority Rights, Minorities, Native Americans, American Indians, Laws, Acts, Legislation
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present, American Indian History
- Geographical Location: United States
- Date: August 11, 1978
Article abstract: The U.S. Congress recognizes its obligation “to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise traditional religions.”
Throughout most of U.S. history, the federal government has discouraged and abridged the free exercise of traditional American Indian religions. The federal government provided direct and indirect support to a variety of Christian denominations who sought to Christianize and “civilize” American Indians. In 1883, bowing to pressure from Christian churches, the...
[The entire page is 1488 words long]