The Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973

Yousaf Malik

Junior Division

On the night of February 27, a caravan of fifty-four vehicles, full of American Indian Movement (AIM) supporters and activists stormed the small village of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Within less than twenty-four hours the occupiers had taken over a number of buildings, including a small museum, a trading post, and a church. They took at least ten hostages. Acting fast, the federal government quickly cordoned off the Wounded Knee area. The occupiers’ basic demand: for people to listen. The Native Americans had to fight for the rights they knew were theirs, but they believed the only way to be heard was through fighting in a way that they believed was responsible, and taking over and occupying Wounded Knee (“Armed Indians Seize”).

A little over eighty years earlier, in that same small village of Wounded Knee, United States Cavalry troops were sent to disarm some Lakota Sioux Indians who had set up camp there. A deaf Indian man named Black Coyote refused to hand over his rifle, telling the soldiers he had paid too much for it. A small scuffle for his rifle escalated into a full-scale battle after a single shot was fired. The troops fired upon the entire encampment. The nearly one-sided battle took the lives of an estimated three hundred men, women and children, most of whom were innocent. The Wounded Knee Massacre was one of the last of the Native Americans’ struggles in the American-Indian Wars. The Indians would not fight in Wounded Knee again until 1973 ("Wounded Knee Massacre”).

Life on the Pine Ridge Reservation was not looking good going into the 70’s. Ever since the Indian Reorganization Act was established on the reservation in 1934, Indians just weren’t happy. The system consisted of a council elected by tribal members. The people were unsatisfied with the strong ties between tribal and federal authorities. They felt oppressed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) supported government. Tribal Chairman Richard Wilson was one of the corrupt officials at the time. He offended some tribal members who believed that he preferred to hire mixed-blood Oglala Sioux over full-blood Oglala Sioux for reservation-based jobs, meaning that he purposefully blocked opponents from jobs and services. Wilson was also accused of misusing tribal funds. He created a security force for the reservation, to enforce order. His nicknamed “GOONs” (Guardians of the Oglala Nation) also beat up Wilson’s opponents and harassed reservation residents (S. L. Smith).

The recently formed American Indian Movement organization was on the rise and trying to secure Indian rights across the nation. AIM Members had been inciting protests across the country, including an occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as a cross-country march on “The Trail of Broken Treaties”. AIM supporters were gathering in Pine Ridge, hoping to somehow make enough noise for their concerns to be heard. To them, peaceful methods weren’t an option. When Wilson realized this, he quickly welcomed in federal law enforcement to protect against AIM attempts to take over certain buildings in the reservation. AIM members and supporters knew that attempting to capture any place in Pine Ridge was suicide. They knew of only one other place that would suffice: Wounded Knee (P. C. Smith). Oglala Lakota Sioux Chief Fools Crow said, "Go to Wounded Knee. There you will be protected," (Ball, 237).

Two to three hundred Indians and AIM supporters occupied Wounded Knee from February 27 to May 8 for a total of 71 days. They chose this specific site for its symbolic value, the place where their ancestors had last fought the United States, just as they were doing at this time. The town is about fourteen miles from the Pine Ridge Reservation. They raided the town’s trading post and museum, as well as many other houses in the town, and trenches were dug in front of the church. The occupiers were armed only with a limited supply of hunting rifles and ammunition. During exchanges of gunfire, they would have to run their one and only AK-47 from bunker to bunker, in order to make their firepower seem more impressive. Pipes were painted like bazookas and left on the ground for news teams to find (Ball, 239).

Because the Wounded Knee area was much less densely populated, the government allowed for more extreme firepower on the occupiers, which wasn’t permitted in major urban areas. The government surrounded the area with federal marshals, FBI, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They also responded with seventeen armored personnel carriers and phantom jets (S. L. Smith). Multiple witnesses claim they saw federal units fire teargas and exchange gunfire with the occupiers although Horace Webb, spokesperson for Justice Department said, "The federal authorities are not taking offensive actions." He informed the public that federal agents were no closer than five miles from the town, which was later changed to two to three miles (Enstad, “Elected Sioux Leader”). Federals arrested nearly twenty occupiers attempting to escape the cordon within the first few weeks of the occupation. Attorney William Clayton said that the Indians could be charged with burglary, larceny, and attempt to commit burglary. Some were also charged with assaulting federal officers. The Indians and supporters felt it was their responsibility to participate in the occupation. Many would defend the town to the death (“Armed Indians Seize”).

Of course, the Indians and AIM supporters had many diverse reasons for carrying out the takeover. The most common of these was simply for America to become aware of the injustices and troubles that have come upon Indians. AIM leader Russell Means had three main goals in mind: Enforcement of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, which guaranteed the nation's territories sovereignty, Senate investigations of corruption within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and free honest elections on the local Pine Ridge Reservation (Ball, 238). Their other demands were meeting with President Nixon, having a Sioux representative in Congress, removal of Oglala Sioux tribal chairman, removal of certain members of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and review by the Senate of treaties between the federal government and the Sioux with Senate investigation of conditions of South Dakota reservations (“1400 Rounds of”). Senator James Abourezek (Democrat of South Dakota) said he would submit to a demand that he would negotiate with the Indians, only when the hostages were released first, which was done a few days into the takeover (“Armed Indians Seize”). The occupiers also believed that their actions were inspiring more Indians to fight for their freedom.

There were many mixed views on the whole occupation in general. Chairman Wilson claimed the occupiers were, "200 vagrants who have no darn business there whatsoever." Wilson believed that his people would soon take back the town themselves, "The people are uptight, and they want Wounded Knee back. However, beyond tomorrow morning, I will not restrain my people any longer. If necessary, I will join them with my gun.” He said, “AIM will die at Wounded Knee,” (Enstad, “Elected Sioux Leader”).

After May 8, all occupiers were out of Wounded Knee. It is estimated that the government arrested about 562 people on charges related to the siege. A number of arrest warrants were given out for certain AIM leaders. Most top leaders of the incident eventually escaped conviction, though the same cannot be said for many of the lesser-known defendants. Not many of the occupiers’ demands were addressed. Chairman Wilson remained in office and was reelected in 1974 despite the many charges thrown at him. After the takeover, the Pine Ridge tribal government tightened its grip on the reservation, causing the rate of violence to skyrocket.

There was only one main benefit that came out of the “second” Wounded Knee”: People paid attention. Historians Paul Chaat Smith and Robert Sllen Warrior said, "Wounded Knee received more attention during its first week than the entire previous decade of Indian activism combined," (S. L. Smith). It showed the nation that Native Americans were still suffering and that certain issues had to be acknowledged. It was believed that the longer the occupation went on, the more sympathy it gained from the American people. Non-Indians understood that their days of dictating the Indians were over. Many Non-Indians were joining the cause, and the Indians knew they couldn’t do it alone. Although the occupation of Wounded Knee was not immediately successful as it was anticipated to be, it shed plenty of light on the situations of Indians (S. L. Smith).

Pine Ridge Reservation may not have been granted the reforms it needed, but the incident caused a widespread movement of change. All across the country Indians and Non-Indians were being inspired to stand up for themselves. Over time, compromises between Indians and the government solidified. The incident eventually also led to a revival of cultural traditions. The Indians at Wounded Knee had no other way to fight for their rights since they knew that peaceful methods would be a waste of time. They believed the standoff at Wounded Knee was justified because there was no other way to make a standing impact the people’s state of mind. Their actions had to be irresponsible in order to make their statement and for their efforts to catch national attention. The future of Native American people, cultures, tribes, and their ability to exercise power over their tribes were looking more secure than in over century (S. L. Smith).

Works Cited

Primary Sources

"Armed Indians Seize Wounded Knee, Hold Hostages." New York Times [New York] 1 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/119666430/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/49?accountid=285#>. This is a New York Times article from 1973. I used this source to gain general facts and information about the occupation at Wounded Knee. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

Enstad, Robert. "Elected Sioux Leader Threatens Force to Recapture Wounded Knee." Chicago Tribune [Chicago] 4 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/169250702/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/14?accountid=285>. This is a Chicago Tribune article from 1973. I used this source to obtain a certain perspective on the event, along with some quotes and general information. It is a primary source because it is from the time of the event.

- - -. "U.S. Official Calls Wounded Knee Situation Grim." Chicago Tribune [Chicago] 3 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/169251723/pageviewPDF/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/19?accountid=285>. This is a Chicago Tribune article from 1973. I used this source to learn about different perspectives and negotiations at the event. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

"First Indians Leave Wounded Knee as Peace Talks Resume." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 6 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/157292622/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/16?accountid=285>. This is an article from the Los Angeles Times. I used it to find out somewhat about who the occupiers were and also to learn about the negotiations between the government and the occupiers. It is a primary source because it is from the time of the event.

"1400 Rounds of Gunfire Erupt at Wounded Knee Stand-Off." Hartford Courant [Hartford] 25 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/551446110/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/12?accountid=285>. This is a Hartford Courant article from 1973. I used this source to gain general facts and information about the occupation at Wounded Knee. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

Nelson, Bryce. "Progress Reported at Wounded Knee---Then 'Stalemate.'" Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 10 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/157243542/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/6?accountid=285>. This is a Los Angeles Times article from 1973. I used this source to learn about the negotiations at Wounded Knee and about different perspectives. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

"Senators Fly to Wounded Knee Area, Open Talks." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 1 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/157103916/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/47?accountid=285#>. This is a Los Angeles Times article from 1973. I used this source to learn about the negotiations, who some of the people on the government's side of the conflict were, and about different perspectives. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

"U.S. Marshal Shot at Wounded Knee." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 27 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/157061757/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/3?accountid=285#>. This a Los Angeles Times article from 1973. I used this source to learn about certain perspectives and some impacts. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

Waldron, Martin. "Firing Stepped up at Wounded Knee." New York Times [New York] 28 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/119627901/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/2?accountid=285>. This a New York Times article from 1973. I used this source to learn some general information about the topic. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.

"Wounded Knee Massacre Site: Indians Seize Dakota Town, 10 Hostages, Battle Marshals." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 1 Mar. 1973: n. pag. ProQuest. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/157103392/1412D1F902B2E9F8546/48?accountid=285#>. This is a Los Angeles Times article from 1973. I used this source to gain general information about the event. It is a primary source because the article is from the time period of the event.