http://www.pbagalleries.com/search/item.php?anr=188251
Title:
Original flag that flew over Alcatraz during the time it was occupied
by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971
Place: San Francisco
Date: 1969
Item # : 188251
Description:
36x60", cotton flag of red and white stripes with stylized tepee of
stars in yellow, black and brown. With "© Lulie V. Nall 1969"
lettered in lower right and in top margin. Produced by the Paramount
Flag Co. of San Francisco, from Nall's design.
The actual flag that flew from the guard tower over Alcatraz during
its occupation by members of various Indian tribes, led at the
beginning by Richard Oakes. The flag is pictured in an article on the
occupation in the San Francisco Chronicle of January 8th, 1970, with
the caption "An Indian Flag Flew from an Alcatraz Guard Tower. A
brave symbol, but below it the occupiers' unity crumbled." This
unique flag, produced as a prototype for Lulie Nall, a Penobscot
Indian and activist, is a key symbol of the signature moment of the
American Indian Movement during the 20th century. The flag is
accompanied by several folders of material relating to the flag, its
design, attempts by Nall to market it, and to the occupation.
The occupation of Alcatraz by Indian students and urban Indians on
November 9, 1969, came at the end of a tumultuous decade. It was at
first envisioned as a brief event to draw attention to the plight of
Native Americans, but soon there were demands for the deed to the
island, and plans for an Indian university, cultural center and
museum among the cell blocks. The original one hundred or so
occupiers soon left, to be replaced by other Indians from across the
country. Although the demands with regard to Alcatraz were denied,
the occupation focused the nation's attention on the American Indian
Movement and its goals. During the period the occupiers were on
Alcatraz Island, President Nixon returned Blue Lake and 48,000 acres
of land to the Taos Indians. Occupied lands near Davis, California
would become home to a Native American university. And the occupation
of Bureau of Indian Affairs offices in Washington, D.C. would lead to
the hiring of Native Americans to work in the federal agency that had
such a great effect on their lives. As noted on the website of the
National Park Service, "Alcatraz may have been lost, but the
occupation gave birth to a political movement which continues to
today." The symbol of Alcatraz also continues to this day, and the
island in San Francisco Bay is the starting point for the 30th
Anniversary Longest Walk, sponsored by the American Indian Movement,
crossing the nation to Washington, D.C., to promote harmony with the Earth.
Lulie V. Nall, creator of the flag, was a longtime activist, not only
within Native American movements, but in the quest for peace and
harmony that dominated the 1960's. The flag became the axis of her
efforts, and she made many attempts to publicize it. She christened
it Old Glory's Helper Flag, since Old Glory was in need of
assistance. In her words, "Red, represents the American Indian who
shares his tepee with fifty state governments. Yellow, Black and
Brown people are represented in the fields they help toil and join.
White, not only represents the white man and his dexterity by
planning our great land but the lightness of all hearts when
complexion is disregarded in a utopia USA…" She created a game
employing the flag as a board, with cards using the flag design, and
also designed stationery and cards using the flag.
Included in the archive is much correspondence between her and the
Kessler Sales Corporation, concerning her attempts to patent and
market her "invention"; copies of letters from her to such notables
as Marlon Brando and James Hoffa, magazine publishers, and others;
the paper pattern for the flag; five color snapshots of her and
others raising the flag on Alcatraz; an 8x10 glossy photograph of the
flag flying from the guardhouse, as published in the San Francisco
Chronicle; two copies of the Chronicle article with the photograph;
the book "How to Have a Utopia U.S.A." by Re Danaher, with the flag
reproduced on the front wrapper, along with a dummy for the revised
edition; designs for her stationery, the game, cards, etc.; and
various and sundry related items. This important archive marks not
only a milestone in the American Indian Movement, but a slice of the
turbulent times of the 1960's and early 1970's.
Condition:
The flag with some minor foxing and other wear, very good or better,
the other material with the normal wear expected of such an archive.
The flag and other items are consigned by the stepson of Lulie Nall's nephew.
Sale Date 01/24/2008
Sale Time 1 PM PST
Low Estimate $ 100,000
High Estimate $ 150,000
.
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