Original flag that flew over Alcatraz during the time it was occupied by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971**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"

Heading: copies of letters from her to such notables as Marlon Brando and James Hoffa, magazine publishers, and othersPlace Published: the paper pattern for the flag

Publisher: five color snapshots of her and others raising the flag on Alcatraz

Date Published: an 8x10 glossy photograph of the flag flying from the guardhouse, as published in the San Francisco Chronicle