Alcatraz: Indian Land Forever

Edited by Troy R. Johnson, 1995.

The occupation of Alcatraz Island represents the longest continuous occupation of a federal facility by any minority group in US history. Alcatraz set in motion a wave of overtly nationalist Indian militancy that ultimately resulted in abandonment of the US government’s policy of termination and the adoption of a policy of Indian self-determination. This publication commemorates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Alcatraz occupation and presents poetry and political statements written by Indian people during the occupation or in commemoration of the event.

144 pp.

$25.00 hardcover; ISBN: 978-0-935626-40-9

$12.00 paper; ISBN: 978-0-935626-40-9

selections from

Alcatraz: Indian Land Forever

We are here to stay, men, women, and children. . . . We are a proud people! We are Indians! We will preserve our traditions and ways of life by educating our own children. We are Indians! We will join hands in a unity never before put into practice. We are Indians! Our Earth Mother awaits our voices. We are Indians of All Tribes! WE HOLD THE ROCK!
Indians of All Tribes

ALCATRAZ RAIN
Throughout the cold and winter nights
We tended to our fires,
We drew our blankets close around
And watched the waves crash higher.
Though the cold waves beat on Alcatraz,
Indian hearts are stout,
For white men think we'll go away--
But we'll live this winter out!
For the North Wind is our Brother;
We share his bitter shock;
Aii--we are the warriors of Alcatraz,
And we will hold the Rock!

Lonewolf, Blackfoot

WHY YOU ARE HERE
What Earth Mother and Spirit Father
have given you,
You must develop
and return to the life
of which we all are part
and will return to.

Jerry Hill, Oneida