Women's National Indian Association
Encyclopedia
The Women’s National Indian Association (WINA) was founded in 1879 by a group of American
women including Mary Bonney
and Amelia Stone Quinton
. Bonney and Quinton united against the encroachment of white settlers on land set aside for Native Americans. They also drew up a petition that addressed the binding obligation of treaties between the United States and American-Indian nations. The petition was circulated in fifteen states and was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes
at the White House
and in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1880.
The Association's aims were for Christianization
and assimilation
of American Indians. It maintained missions, produced several publications and influenced national policy, including the passing of the Dawes Act
in 1887. At its height the Association had 60 branch organizations in 27 states.
The Association changed its name to National Indian Association, and was voluntarily dissolved in 1951.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
women including Mary Bonney
Mary Bonney
Mary Lucinda Bonney was an American educator and advocate for Native American rights. She founded the Ogontz School for Young Ladies in Philadelphia and the Women's National Indian Association.-References:...
and Amelia Stone Quinton
Amelia Stone Quinton
Amelia Stone Quinton was an American social activist and advocate for Native American rights. She helped form the Women's National Indian Association in 1883 and was the associations president from 1887 to 1904, during this time the association made progress in advancing the rights of Native...
. Bonney and Quinton united against the encroachment of white settlers on land set aside for Native Americans. They also drew up a petition that addressed the binding obligation of treaties between the United States and American-Indian nations. The petition was circulated in fifteen states and was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
and in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1880.
The Association's aims were for Christianization
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...
and assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
of American Indians. It maintained missions, produced several publications and influenced national policy, including the passing of the Dawes Act
Dawes Act
The Dawes Act, adopted by Congress in 1887, authorized the President of the United States to survey Indian tribal land and divide the land into allotments for individual Indians. The Act was named for its sponsor, Senator Henry L. Dawes of Massachusetts. The Dawes Act was amended in 1891 and again...
in 1887. At its height the Association had 60 branch organizations in 27 states.
The Association changed its name to National Indian Association, and was voluntarily dissolved in 1951.