The 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation: A Significant Historical Event in American Native Rights

In the late evening of February 27, 1973, approximately 200 Oglala Lakota and members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) occupied the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota. Their protest against the United States government marked a significant event in the long history of American Native struggles for justice and sovereignty, resonating across the nation and drawing international attention.

Wounded Knee was, and still is, a poignant symbol for Native Americans. It was the site of the 1890 massacre where nearly 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed by the U.S Army. The 1973 occupation was not only a call for the U.S government to honor broken treaties, but it was also a reminder of the historical mistreatment of Native Americans.

The occupation was a direct result of mounting frustration among the Oglala Lakota people and AIM members. They felt marginalized and oppressed by the U.S government’s policies and were particularly aggrieved by what they perceived as the corrupt tribal president of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Richard Wilson. Their frustrations culminated in the 71-day long occupation of Wounded Knee.

During the occupation, the protesters made several demands. They called for investigations into the 371 treaties between Native Nations and the United States, all of which they believed had been broken by the U.S government. They also demanded that the U.S government acknowledge the sovereignty of Native Nations and restore their rights to self-determination.

The U.S government response was swift and severe. By the following day, the town was surrounded by federal marshals and FBI agents. Throughout the occupation, gunfire was regularly exchanged, resulting in the death of two AIM members, and leaving a federal marshal paralyzed. Negotiations between the occupiers and the government were long and tense, and it wasn't until May 8 that the occupation ended.

In the years following, the event was seen as a turning point in federal Indian policy. It led to a period of policy changes and increased attention to Native American rights. The U.S government began to take steps towards restoring tribal self-determination and sovereignty. However, many of the protesters' demands remain unmet, and the struggle for justice and sovereignty continues.

The Wounded Knee occupation in 1973 was a watershed moment in American history, triggering changes in the way the U.S government interacts with Native tribes. It highlighted the plight of Native Americans and put the simmering issues of broken treaties, lands taken illegally, and cultural genocide squarely in the public eye. Nearly half a century later, the occupation of Wounded Knee serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle of Native Americans for justice and recognition of their rights.