Cohort Experiences

Table 2 Cohort Experiences: American Indian Older Adults
Time Period Experiences Cohort Age At Experience Current Cohort Age
1900–1920 Reservations Children & Adolescents 85+
Children 75–85
Forced Boarding Schools not born yet 65–75
not born yet
Traditional Culture seen as “Bad” not born yet 55–65
Law Banned Spiritual Practices
1920–1940 U.S. Citizenship Young Adults & Middle Aged 85+
Adoption of Indian Children by Whites Adolescents & Young Adults 75–85
Loss of Land by Allotment System Children & Adolescents 65–75
Forced Assimilation Children 55–65
Boarding Schools
1940–1960 World War II Service Middle Aged & Young Old 85+
Relocation by BIA Young Adults & Middle Aged 75–85
Termination of 100 Tribes Adolescents & Young Adults 65–75
Forced Assimilation Children & Adolescents 55–65
1960–1980 Vietnam War Young Old & Old 85+
Indian Activism Middle Aged & Young Old 75–85
Youths Return to Traditional Practices Young Adults & Middle Aged 65–75
Urbanization for Education & Jobs Adolescents & Young Adults 55–65
1980–present Education of Professionals Litigation Old 85+
Self-Determination of Tribes Young Old & Old 75–85
Urban Pan-Indianism Middle Aged & Young Old 65–75
Reservation Gaming Young Adult & Middle Aged 55–65

Source: Hendrix, L. in Yeo et al, 1998