Longest Walk ends at National Mall In February 1978 the American Indian Movement began The Longest Walk, a cross-country march beginning on Alcatraz Island in California, to support tribal rights and bring attention to 11 pieces of legislation before Congress affecting American Indians. The proposed legislation changed the provisions of early treaties on tribal government, hunting and fishing rights, and schools and hospitals. Marchers arrived in July. Tribal elders and walk leaders camped in tipis on <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/36">Washington Monument</a> grounds. Over the course of a week, they held rallies and meetings throughout Washington, including at the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/59">Capitol</a>, Supreme Court, and <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/66">White House</a>. None of the bills they protested were passed. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cph/item/2011646498/">View original</a>. 07/15/1978-07/19/1978 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1950-1979">1950-1979</a>