Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America May 20, 2000 - Issue 10

May 20, 1862:	On this date, Congress will pass the Homestead Act. This act will allow settlers to buy 160 acres of western, formerly Indian, land for $1.25 an acre. This will bring in a new wave of settlers to the west.
May 21, 1879:	In the Standing Bear case, the courts decided that Indians were people in the eyes of the law and no Indian could be held on a particular reservation against his will. Big Snake, Standing Bear's brother decided to test the law. He asked his agent for permission to visit Standing Bear. His request was denied. He decided to leave the PONCA reservation in Indian Territory to go visit the CHEYENNE reservation, also in Indian Territory. Big Snake asked for permission to leave of his agent, William Whiteman. Whiteman, again, refused the request. Big Snake, and 30 other PONCAs left, anyway. On this date, Agent Whiteman telegraphed the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of Big Snake's exit, with the request that Big Snake be arrested at Fort Reno in central Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
May 22, 1879:	General Sherman orders General Sheridan to transport Big Snake from Fort Reno, in central Indian Territory, back to the PONCA reservation. Sherman decides that the court decision applies only to Standing Bear, and to no one else.

May 23, 1838:	Under the provisions of the New Echota Treaty of December 29, 1835, today is the deadline for CHEROKEEs to emigrate to the Indian Territory. Any CHEROKEEs still east of the Mississippi River, after today, will be force to leave. Only an estimated 2,000 CHEROKEEs will have emigrated to the Indian Territory by today's date, according to government estimates. General Winfield Scott will be charged with removing the recalcitrant CHEROKEEs. Many will be forced from their homes at bayonet point. The illegal treaty was publically proclaimed by President Jackson, 2 years ago, on this date.
May 24, 1607:	Jamestown founded
May 25, 1868:	Today, 39 "OGALLALAH SIOUX", including Sitting Bull, will sign the Fort Laramie treaty.
May 26, 1870:	Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ely Parker (Donehogawa) concerned about war fever among the plains Indians, let it be known that SIOUX Chief Red Cloud would be a welcome guest in Washington for talks. Red Cloud decides to visit the Great Father and to see the Indian Commissioner for himself. On this date, he boards a train at Fort Laramie in southeastern Wyoming, for the trip to Washington.

May 27, 1607:	Virginia has it's first significant battle between Indians and European settlers.
May 28, 1763:	Lt.Abraham Cuyler is en route to Fort Detroit with supplies, and almost 100 men, when he lands at Point Pelee, in southern Ontario, on Lake Erie. Unaware of Pontiac's uprising, the men are attacked by Indians after Cuyler sets up camp. Only Cuyler, and a few men will escape from the attack.
May 29, 1980:	Today, Department of the Interior Field Solicitor Elmer Nitzschke, states that the MILLE LACS Reservation Business Committee has the right to control the Sandy Lakes Indian Reservation in Minnesota. The SANDY LAKES Band of OJIBWE, which lives on the reservation, feels they should have control of the rerservation.
May 30, 1883:	After the raids near Tombstone by Chato and others, General Crook enters Mexico to find Geronimo. When they eventually meet, Crook convinces Geronimo, and his people to return to the San Carlos Reservation. Crook, and most of the CHIRICAHUAs leave for San Carlos on this date.

May 31, 1796:

The Treaty of the Seven Tribes of Canada is signed by 3 Chiefs today at New York City. The tribes give up all claims to lands in New York, except 6 square miles in Saint Regis. They will be paid 1233 pounds, 6 shillings, and 8 pence now, and 213 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence annually, if 5 more Chiefs show up and sign the treaty.

June 1, 1868:

After the "long walk" to the Bosque Redondo Reservation in New Mexico, the NAVAJOs suffered from the poor conditions on the reservation, and from homesickness for their old lands. After numerous visits from Washington representatives, General Sherman visited the NAVAJO. They again asked to go back to their old lands. They promised the keep the peace and the old treaties. Sherman talked with them, and he listened to them. With a new treaty in hand, Sherman says he will let them go, if they sign, and obey, the new treaty. The NAVAJOs agree, even though they will lose some of their land as a part of the new agreement. On this date, Barboncito, Armijo, Delgadito, Herrero Grande, Manuelito, and others sign the new treaty.

June 2, 1924:

Indians become U.S. citizens today

back to the What's New page

Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.

Canku Ota is a copyright of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the Copyright © 1999 of Paul C. Barry. All Rights Reserved.