The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

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The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, also known as the Wheeler-Howard Act, empowered tribes to adopt democratic constitutions and embrace self-determination. This was a significant departure from previous policies that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American culture. The act was largely a response to the negative effects of the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887, which had established individual land ownership among Native Americans and resulted in the loss of millions of acres of tribal lands. The Indian Reorganization Act aimed to help tribes rebuild their communities and cultures by allowing them to establish their own governments and manage their own affairs.