page_title: Society of American Indians
section_title: Early achievements
hierarchical_section_title: Society of American Indians / Early achievements
caption_attribution_description: English: The Society of American Indians, 3rd Annual Conference, A group of members on excursion at Wildcat Point, near Denver, October 15, 1913 Other information No.
context_page_description: The Society of American Indians was the first national American Indian rights organization run by and for American Indians. The Society pioneered twentieth century Pan-Indianism, the movement promoting unity among American Indians regardless of tribal affiliation. The Society was a forum for a new generation of American Indian leaders known as Red Progressives, prominent professionals from the fields of medicine, nursing, law, government, education, anthropology and ministry. They shared the enthusiasm and faith of Progressive Era white reformers in the inevitability of progress through education and governmental action.
  The Society met at academic institutions, maintained a Washington, D.C. headquarters, conducted annual conferences and published a quarterly journal of American Indian literature by American Indian authors. The Society was one of the first proponents of an "American Indian Day." It was at the forefront of the fight for Indian citizenship and opening the U.S. Court of Claims to all tribes and bands in United States. The Indian Citizenship Law, signed on June 2, 1924, was a major achievement for the Society.
context_section_description: In 1913, the Society was flourishing and active membership increased to more 230 individuals representing almost 30 tribes. Associate membership had grown to over 400, including men women from the American Indian Defense Association, missionaries, businessman, anthropologists and other academics.  A number the white Indian Bureau employees and educators from Indian schools  also joined and the future of the organization seemed bright.  The Society was similar to the white reform organizations and the developing black movements of the Progressive Era. Middle class, well-educated, they preached self-help, race pride, and responsibility.
caption: The Society of American Indians, 3rd Annual Conference, A group of members on excursion at Wildcat Point, near Denver, Colorado, October 15, 1913
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