Final answer:
The Indian Act of 1876 aimed to assimilate Indigenous peoples into mainstream society. Over time, legislation like the Indian Civil Rights Act and the Indian Self-Determination Act shifted the focus to respect Native American autonomy and self-determination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Indian Act of 1876 was primarily established with the goal of assimilation of Indigenous peoples into mainstream society. This act enforced policies that urged Indigenous people to adopt the lifestyles and cultural norms of the dominant European-Canadian society. The Indian Appropriation Acts denied recognition of Indigenous tribes as independent nations, allowing for easier appropriation of Native lands by the U.S. government. The Dawes Act of 1887, similar in its objectives, divided collective reservation lands into individual plots, pushing Indigenous people toward a European-American style of agriculture and property ownership, thus diluting their collective cultural and political power.
Against the backdrop of these assimilative policies, Native Americans fought for their rights, leading to significant legislative changes in the 20th century. This includes the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, granting tribes control over their educational programs and resource management. These laws marked a shift toward respecting Native American autonomy and self-determination, reversing many of the assimilation-centered policies of the past.