8.5 Wounded Knee incident (1973)

The Wounded Knee incident of 1973 was a pivotal moment in Native American activism. Members of the American Indian Movement occupied the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, for 71 days, protesting U.S. government policies and tribal corruption.

This standoff highlighted ongoing struggles for treaty rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation. It drew national attention to Native American issues and sparked changes in federal Indian policy, shaping the future of Indigenous activism in the United States.

Background of Wounded Knee

• Wounded Knee incident of 1973 marked a pivotal moment in Native American activism and resistance against federal policies
• Situated within broader context of civil rights movements and growing Indigenous self-determination efforts in the United States
• Highlighted ongoing struggles for treaty rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation among Native American communities

Historical significance of location

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• Site of 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre where U.S. Army killed hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children
• Located on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, home to Oglala Lakota people
• Symbolized historical trauma and unresolved grievances of Native Americans against U.S. government
• Served as powerful backdrop for 1973 protest, connecting past injustices to contemporary struggles

AIM and its objectives

• American Indian Movement (AIM) founded in 1968 to address Native American civil rights issues
• Sought to combat poverty, housing discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans
• Advocated for treaty rights, land reclamation, and cultural revitalization
• Employed direct action tactics, including occupations and protests (Alcatraz Island takeover)
• Aimed to raise national awareness about Native American issues and challenge federal Indian policies

Political climate of 1970s

• Era of social upheaval and civil rights movements (African American, Chicano, women's rights)
• Growing environmental awareness and critique of U.S. government policies
• Watergate scandal eroded public trust in federal institutions
• Shift in federal Indian policy from termination to self-determination under Nixon administration
• Increased militancy and radicalization among some Native American activists

Occupation of Wounded Knee

• Began on February 27, 1973, when AIM members and supporters seized control of Wounded Knee village
• Lasted 71 days, becoming one of the longest armed standoffs in U.S. history
• Drew national and international attention to Native American issues and sovereignty claims

Key participants and leaders

• Russell Means and Dennis Banks, prominent AIM leaders who organized the occupation
• Oglala Lakota elders and traditional leaders who supported the action
• Local residents of Wounded Knee, some supportive and others caught in the crossfire
• FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, and other federal law enforcement personnel
• Tribal chairman Richard Wilson and his supporters, who opposed the occupation

Demands and grievances

• Called for Senate investigation of broken treaties and reservation conditions
• Demanded removal of corrupt tribal chairman Richard Wilson
• Sought recognition of traditional Oglala Sioux civil and human rights
• Advocated for return of Black Hills to Lakota people
• Pushed for reform of Bureau of Indian Affairs and federal Indian policies

Tactical strategies employed

• Establishment of roadblocks and defensive perimeters around Wounded Knee
• Use of media attention to amplify their message and garner public support
• Creation of provisional Independent Oglala Nation to assert sovereignty
• Utilization of traditional spiritual practices and ceremonies during occupation
• Coordination with outside supporters for supplies and reinforcements

Government response

• Federal government's approach to the Wounded Knee occupation evolved over time
• Highlighted tensions between different agencies and levels of government in handling Native American issues
• Demonstrated complexities of balancing law enforcement with political and diplomatic considerations

Federal agencies involved

• FBI led law enforcement efforts, coordinating with other agencies
• U.S. Marshals Service provided additional personnel and resources
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) involved in negotiations and information gathering
• Department of Justice oversaw legal aspects and potential prosecutions
• White House and Department of Interior engaged in high-level decision-making

Negotiation attempts

• Initial efforts focused on peaceful resolution through dialogue
• Kent Frizzell, Assistant Attorney General, served as chief negotiator for government
• Multiple rounds of talks held between AIM leaders and government representatives
• Proposals included laying down arms in exchange for investigations into grievances
• Negotiations complicated by internal divisions among occupiers and government officials

Use of force vs diplomacy

• Government initially employed containment strategy, surrounding Wounded Knee
• Periodic exchanges of gunfire occurred between occupiers and law enforcement
• Armored personnel carriers and other military equipment deployed to site
• Restraint in use of overwhelming force to avoid repeating 1890 massacre
• Shift towards more aggressive tactics as occupation prolonged, including cutting off supplies

Siege dynamics

• Wounded Knee occupation evolved into a complex, multi-faceted standoff
• Demonstrated interplay between physical confrontation, media narratives, and political maneuvering
• Highlighted broader societal debates about Native American rights and federal Indian policy

Duration and conditions

• Occupation lasted 71 days, from February 27 to May 8, 1973
• Harsh winter conditions posed challenges for both occupiers and law enforcement
• Food and medical supplies became scarce as government restricted access
• Occupiers faced daily stress of potential armed confrontation
• Makeshift living arrangements established in local buildings and bunkers

Media coverage and public opinion

• National and international media provided extensive coverage of the event
• Journalists embedded with occupiers offered firsthand accounts of conditions
• Public opinion divided, with some supporting Native American cause and others critical of lawlessness
• Government attempted to control narrative by limiting media access at times
• Occupation sparked broader discussions about Native American issues in mainstream media

Support and opposition groups

• Native American communities across U.S. organized solidarity actions and supply runs
• Civil rights organizations and anti-war activists expressed support for occupation
• Some local residents and tribal members opposed occupation, citing disruption and violence
• Conservative politicians and media outlets criticized government's handling of situation
• International observers and human rights organizations monitored the events

Resolution and aftermath

• Wounded Knee occupation concluded on May 8, 1973, after 71 days of standoff
• Resolution process involved complex negotiations and legal considerations
• Aftermath had significant implications for Native American activism and federal Indian policy

Terms of surrender

• Agreement reached for occupiers to lay down arms and leave Wounded Knee
• Government promised to audit tribal government finances and investigate treaty violations
• Assurances given regarding fair treatment of occupiers in legal system
• Traditional Oglala leaders granted meeting with White House representatives
• Arrangement made for return of residents displaced during occupation

Legal consequences for participants

• Federal grand jury indicted 562 people for actions related to occupation
• AIM leaders Russell Means and Dennis Banks faced multiple felony charges
• Majority of cases dismissed due to government misconduct or lack of evidence
• Some participants served prison sentences for weapons charges and other offenses
• Legal battles continued for years, straining AIM's resources and unity

Impact on federal Indian policy

• Increased national attention to Native American issues and treaty rights
• Congress passed Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975
• Greater emphasis on tribal sovereignty and self-governance in federal policies
• Reforms implemented in Bureau of Indian Affairs operations and leadership
• Renewed focus on addressing economic and social issues on reservations

Legacy and significance

• Wounded Knee occupation left lasting impact on Native American activism and U.S. society
• Continues to be remembered as pivotal moment in Indigenous rights movement
• Shaped ongoing debates about tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and federal-tribal relations

Changes in Native American activism

• Inspired new generation of Native American leaders and activists
• Shift towards more assertive tactics in advocating for Indigenous rights
• Increased focus on legal and political strategies alongside direct action
• Growth of pan-Indian solidarity and inter-tribal cooperation
• Emergence of new organizations focused on specific issues (environmental justice, cultural preservation)

Cultural and political ramifications

• Renewed interest in traditional Native American cultures and spirituality
• Strengthened sense of Indigenous identity and pride among many Native Americans
• Influenced tribal governance structures and decision-making processes
• Contributed to broader societal recognition of historical injustices against Native Americans
• Impacted U.S. foreign policy discussions regarding Indigenous peoples globally

Commemorations and memorials

• Annual ceremonies held at Wounded Knee to honor both 1890 massacre and 1973 occupation
• Museums and cultural centers feature exhibits on Wounded Knee and AIM
• Monuments and markers erected to commemorate key events and participants
• Educational programs developed to teach about Wounded Knee's significance
• Ongoing debates about appropriate ways to memorialize and interpret the events

Historical interpretations

• Wounded Knee occupation subject of extensive scholarly analysis and debate
• Diverse perspectives on its causes, conduct, and consequences
• Ongoing reassessment of its place within broader Native American and U.S. history

Scholarly debates and perspectives

• Discussions on effectiveness of militant tactics vs. diplomatic approaches
• Analysis of government response and its implications for federal Indian policy
• Examinations of media's role in shaping public perceptions of the event
• Debates on long-term impact on Native American rights and self-determination
• Reassessments of AIM's leadership and internal dynamics during occupation

Native vs non-Native narratives

• Differences in emphasis and interpretation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous historians
• Native perspectives often highlight historical context of broken treaties and cultural suppression
• Non-Native accounts may focus more on legal and political aspects of the occupation
• Efforts to incorporate oral histories and traditional knowledge into academic narratives
• Ongoing discussions about decolonizing historical methodologies in studying Native American history

Comparisons to other protests

• Parallels drawn with civil rights movement sit-ins and protests
• Similarities and differences with other Indigenous rights actions globally
• Comparisons to anti-war and counterculture movements of 1960s and 1970s
• Analysis of Wounded Knee in context of broader trend of occupations and standoffs
• Discussions of its influence on later Native American protests (Standing Rock, 2016-2017)

Wounded Knee in popular culture

• Events at Wounded Knee have inspired various artistic and cultural productions
• Continues to serve as reference point in discussions of Native American issues
• Shaped public perceptions and understanding of Indigenous resistance in U.S.

Representations in media

• Documentaries produced about occupation (Incident at Oglala, 1992)
• Fictionalized accounts in films and television series
• Inclusion in historical documentaries about Native American history and AIM
• Coverage in news retrospectives and anniversary reports
• Depictions in video games and interactive media exploring historical events

Influence on art and literature

• Inspired poetry and prose by Native American authors (Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo)
• Visual art created to commemorate occupation and its participants
• Music composed to honor Wounded Knee and Native American resistance
• Theatrical productions exploring themes of sovereignty and cultural identity
• Integration into broader Native American Renaissance in arts and literature

Educational initiatives and awareness

• Development of curriculum materials about Wounded Knee for K-12 and higher education
• Creation of online resources and digital archives related to occupation
• Museum exhibits and traveling displays highlighting event's significance
• Community-based programs to share stories and lessons from Wounded Knee
• Incorporation into broader discussions of civil rights and social justice movements in U.S. history