Forced Sterilization

In the 1970s thousands of Native American women underwent sterilization procedures against their will or without their consent. As many as half of the Indian women and teens of child-bearing age were victimized by government policy and practice intended to control the Native population, reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and provide physicians with extra experience and income.

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Photo: Library of Congress

Choose an Era

European contact and 'discovery'

1492-1828

REMOVAL & RELOCATION

1828-1887

Allotment & Assimilation

1887-1928

Reorganization

1928-1945

Termination

1945-1961

Self-determination

1961-today

We're Still Here

Today

ABOUT PROJECT 1492

For too long American history has been taught from just one perspective – the myopic view of the settler colonists – and so many of the facts of the country’s past have been conveniently swept under the rug. Project 1492 is intended to offer a different view of history while informing average Americans about many events that have been omitted from the mainstream narrative or forgotten entirely. History has consequences, and the impact of the choices made over the past 500 years have put an indelible stamp on this country that continues to impact the relationship between the descendants of European settlers and modern-day Native Americans.

Learn More ABOUT Project 1492

SUPPORT

Project 1492 would like to acknowledge the generous support of the foundations, corporations, American Indian Tribes and individuals who have made this effort possible. If you'd like to support the project, please donate to help the next generation of Native Americans leaders make their dreams of a college education come true.

Donate here

Christopher Columbus lands on a Caribbean Island after three months of traveling. Believing at first that he had reached the East Indies, he describes the natives he meets as “Indians.”

On his first day, he orders six natives to be seized as servants