Final answer:
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 replaced termination policies with self-determination for Native American tribes, particularly in managing federal funds for education and tribal affairs. This pivotal legislation part of a broader trend in the 1970s allowed tribes to better preserve their culture and govern themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, passed in 1975, marked a significant shift in US federal policy towards Native American tribes. This legislation effectively reversed previous government efforts directed at terminating the recognition of these tribes, a policy that sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society. Instead, the act established self-determination as the overriding policy, enabling tribes to govern their own affairs, particularly in the realms of education and resource management.
Under the act, Native American tribes were given the authority to administer programs, such as those for education, that were previously handled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This not only included control over educational programs but also the ability to manage federal funds tied to such programs. This empowered tribal governments to make decisions relevant to their community needs and cultural preservation.
The Indian Self-Determination Act was part of a broader series of legislation passed in the 1970s that aimed to bolster tribal autonomy. These included acts to enhance educational opportunities, child welfare, religious freedom, and cultural rights. The core theme of this legislative period was to end the previous termination policies and strengthen the sovereignty and self-determination of Native American tribes.