Occupation of Wounded Knee

Occupation of Wounded Knee. The American Indian Movement (AIM) led the occupation, which was a pivotal event in Native American history, drawing attention to the struggles of Lakota people, Oglala Sioux Tribe, and other Native American tribes. The occupation was sparked by the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation's poor living conditions, corruption, and Treaty of Fort Laramie violations, which affected the Oceti Sakowin and other Sioux communities. The event involved notable figures such as Russell Means, Dennis Banks, and Vine Deloria Jr., who were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party.

Background

The occupation was preceded by the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, a traumatic event in Lakota history, which was followed by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the Termination Act of 1953, affecting the Rosebud Indian Reservation and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968 by Dennis Banks, George Mitchell, and Clyde Bellecourt, with the goal of promoting Native American rights and protecting tribal sovereignty, similar to the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund. The occupation was also influenced by the Alcatraz-Red Power Movement and the Trail of Broken Treaties, which involved Hank Adams, Vine Deloria Jr., and other notable Native American activists. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) played significant roles in the events leading up to the occupation, particularly under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover and Roger C. Baldwin.

The Occupation

On February 27, 1973, a group of approximately 200 Oglala Lakota and American Indian Movement (AIM) members, including Russell Means, Dennis Banks, and Carter Camp, occupied the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, which is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The occupation was a response to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation's poor living conditions, corruption, and Treaty of Fort Laramie violations, which were exacerbated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The occupiers, who were supported by the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund, demanded the resignation of Richard Wilson, the tribal chairman of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the improvement of living conditions on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The occupation was also influenced by the Black Panther Party and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which had connections to the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-War Movement.

Key Events and Timeline

The occupation lasted for 71 days, from February 27 to May 8, 1973, and involved several key events, including the Wounded Knee Incident, the Pine Ridge Shootout, and the Siege of Wounded Knee. On March 11, 1973, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) surrounded the occupied town, leading to a standoff between the occupiers and the federal authorities, which was similar to the Siege of Alcatraz. The occupation ended on May 8, 1973, when the occupiers surrendered to the federal authorities, following negotiations with Harold V. Froehlich and Kent Frizzell. The occupation resulted in the deaths of two occupiers, Buddy Lamont and Frank Clearwater, and the arrest of over 1,000 people, including Russell Means and Dennis Banks, who were later acquitted of all charges.

Government Response and Aftermath

The government response to the occupation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), under the leadership of Richard Nixon and Elliot Richardson. The government's response was criticized by Native American rights activists, including Vine Deloria Jr. and Hank Adams, who argued that the government's actions were excessive and violated the Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Indian Civil Rights Act. The occupation led to the establishment of the Independent Oglala Nation, which was recognized by the United Nations and the International Indian Treaty Council. The occupation also led to the creation of the Wounded Knee Incident investigation, which was conducted by the Church Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs.

Impact and Legacy

The occupation had a significant impact on Native American rights and tribal sovereignty, leading to the passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Tribal Sovereignty Act. The occupation also inspired the Longest Walk, a protest march from Alcatraz Island to Washington, D.C., which was led by Dennis Banks and Russell Means. The occupation is remembered as a pivotal event in Native American history, similar to the Trail of Tears and the Wounded Knee Massacre, and is commemorated by the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and the National Museum of the American Indian. The occupation's legacy continues to influence Native American activism, including the Standing Rock Indian Reservation protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which involved Ladonna Brave Bull Allard and Dallas Goldtooth. The occupation's impact is also seen in the work of Native American organizations, such as the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians, which continue to advocate for Native American rights and tribal sovereignty.