jan 1, 1903 - Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock
Description:
A number of tribes mounted legal and lobbying efforts in attempts to halt the allotment process. These efforts were greatly hindered when the Supreme Court determined, in Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1903), that allotment was legal because Congress was entitled to abrogate treaties.
Lone Wolf, a Kiowa Chief, challenged the governments right to ignore the treaty (signed with the government in 1867) and hand over millions of acres of land.
Ruled that Native Americans were not capable of depending on themselves and essentially gave them the legal status of children. Gave the government the right to revoke all treaties made with the Native Americans and stated that they were 'an ignorant and dependent race' who were not citizens of the USA and therefore had no legal rights. The court held that tribal consent to alter the treaties would hurt the Native Americans and they should assume that Congress would act to preserve their needs.
Native Americans lost some 90% of land allocated to them and could only appeal to Congress over land disputes.
Added to timeline:
Native Americans and Civil Rights
1865 - 1992
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