Final answer:
In the 1960s and 70s, governmental policy shifted from forced assimilation of Native Americans to recognizing and preserving their culture and rights. Key laws including the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, and Education Assistance Act of 1975 were instrumental in this shift.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1960s and 1970s, the United States government shifted its policy towards Native Americans, moving from processes of forced assimilation to policies of cultural preservation and autonomy. The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, and the Education Assistance Act of the same year were pivotal pieces of legislation that recognized Native American rights and empowered tribal governments.
These acts ended longstanding harmful practices and began a new era of policy that acknowledged the rights of Native Americans. They faced years of imposed assimilation efforts, which included the reservation system, forced removals, enforced western education, and the practice of placing Native children in boarding schools to erase their cultural identity. These new policies in the 1970s marked a significant shift towards preserving Native American cultures and recognizing their autonomy.
These changes in policy also catalyzed a greater movement to resurrect Native cultures, including languages, customs, and traditions, many of which were on the brink of extinction due to years of forced assimilation.
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