American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What significant legislation was enacted in 1934 to support Native American self-governance?

1. Indian Reorganization Act

2. Indian Self-Determination Act

3. Indian Civil Rights Act

4. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

The correct answer is: Indian Reorganization Act

The Indian Reorganization Act, enacted in 1934, was a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at reversing the assimilation policies put forth by the U.S. government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This Act recognized the right of Native American tribes to self-governance and aimed to restore some of the autonomy that had been stripped away through previous laws and policies, such as the Dawes Act. The legislation encouraged tribes to establish their own governments, manage their own lands, and engage in economic development. It also sought to halt the sale of tribal lands and encouraged the return of surplus lands to tribes, facilitating the preservation of Native cultures and community structures. This marked a significant shift in federal policy, moving away from coercive assimilation toward an acknowledgment of tribal sovereignty and rights. In contrast, the Indian Self-Determination Act, introduced later in 1975, further expanded tribal autonomy by allowing tribes more control over federal programs and services; the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 focused on the civil rights of individuals within tribal jurisdictions; and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 aimed to regulate gaming on Native American lands. Each of these subsequent laws built on the foundation that the Indian Reorganization Act laid for self