1. Forced Assimilation Policies: During this period, the United States government implemented assimilationist policies such as the Indian Removal Act and the establishment of boarding schools for Native American children. These policies aimed to forcibly strip tribes of their cultural identities and languages and assimilate them into white society.
2. Cultural Adaptation: Some tribes chose to adapt certain aspects of white culture while preserving their own traditions. For example, some tribes adopted agriculture and Euro-American clothing styles while maintaining their spiritual practices and social structures.
3. Education and Christianity: Many Native Americans sought education in white-run schools as a means to gain knowledge and opportunities. In addition, some tribes embraced Christianity as a way of aligning themselves with the dominant culture and gaining acceptance from white communities.
4. Intermarriage: Intermarriage between Native Americans and non-Native individuals occurred in some communities. This could have been a survival strategy to gain land rights or access to resources reserved for white citizens.
5. Land Allotment: The General Allotment Act of 1887 divided tribal lands into individual parcels and assigned them to households. This policy aimed to promote assimilation and individualized land ownership, resulting in the loss of tribal communal lands.
It is important to note that assimilation was not a uniform experience and many tribes resisted or negotiated the terms of their assimilation. Native American communities continue to work towards preserving their unique cultural identities and rights while navigating complex relationships within the larger society.