Last updated: March 2, 2021
Place
The Occupation Wears On
Ilka Hartmann
At first the Occupation was wildly popular, attracting thousands of Native Americans on a pilgrimage to the cold, windy island in San Francisco Bay.
Many brought along their children. As word spread, celebrities arrived, and donations poured in. The press came from all over the country and world. The federal government initially barricaded the island and insisted the Indian people leave. But after formal negotiations failed, the government adopted a position of non-interference to wait out the occupiers.
Six weeks into the nineteen-month occupation, Richard Oakes left after his 13-year-old stepdaughter fell to her death on the island. Many Indians stayed throughout the occupation replacing those who left. Some of the original occupier students eventually returned to school.
Walk past the lighthouse and continue down West Road to Stop 5.
Many brought along their children. As word spread, celebrities arrived, and donations poured in. The press came from all over the country and world. The federal government initially barricaded the island and insisted the Indian people leave. But after formal negotiations failed, the government adopted a position of non-interference to wait out the occupiers.
Six weeks into the nineteen-month occupation, Richard Oakes left after his 13-year-old stepdaughter fell to her death on the island. Many Indians stayed throughout the occupation replacing those who left. Some of the original occupier students eventually returned to school.
Walk past the lighthouse and continue down West Road to Stop 5.