American Indian Policy Review Commission

In 1972, the Bureau of Indian Affairs building was seized by Native Americans. In 1973, the town of Wounded Knee was occupied by Native Americans. To fix the inconsistency in Native American policy, Senator James G. Abourezk proposed the Senate Joint Solution 133 which would establish an American Indian Policy Review Commission to review these laws. == Task forces ==

The American Indian Policy Review Commission established eleven task forces, each consisting of three members. The task forces were assigned to investigate: • Trust responsibility and Federal-Indian relationship • Tribal government • Federal administration and structure of Indian affairs • Federal, state, and tribal jurisdiction • Indian education • Indian health • Reservation and resource development and protection • Urban and rural non-reservation Indians • Indian law revision, consolidation, and codification • Terminated and non-federally recognized tribes • Alcohol and drug abuse Of the 33 task force members, 31 members were of Native American descent while two were non-native Americans. By design, a majority of the task force members were of Native American descent. == Result ==

The American Indian Policy Review Commission ultimately published a report as a set of volumes in 1976 and 1977. The American Indian Policy Review Commission sought to expand Native American social services. However, the resulting report did not provide the extensive legal and historical analysis that was expected and was quickly passed from view. == References ==