The policies that oppressed Native Americans continue almost unabated into the twentieth century. The issues that were at the heart of nineteenth-century tribal struggles (autonomy, self-determination, the retention of land, tribal lifeways, and religious freedom) remain central concerns.
The latter half of the twentieth century has brought forth an ever-increasing effort toward self-determination by indigenous peoples. The formation of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 created an enormous resurgence of tribal pride and a commitment to fight for the rights guaranteed under numerous treaties that have never been upheld. Over the years, protest actions carried out by members of AIM have played a significant part in capturing media attention and bringing the contemporary problems of Native Americans—both on the reservations and in urban areas—to the attention of the American public.
The battle against prejudice and racism has not ended for Native American people. The stories in this section illustrate the despair and alienation sometimes felt by many tribal people surrounded by a society that is often hostile to them. These stories also demonstrate that Native Americans are not curious cultural artifacts to be consigned to dusty museum shelves. The so-called vanishing American has not vanished. Native American peoples throughout the North American continent persevere. They are adapting to the conditions of the times and transforming themselves and their identities as they move forward.