The Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973
Yousaf Malik
Junior Division
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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).
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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/119666430/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/49?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/169250702/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/14?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/1412D1F
902B2E9F8546/19?accountid=285>. This is a Chicago Tribune article from
1973. I used this source to learn about different perspectives and
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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/157292622/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/16?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/551446110/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/12?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/157243542/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/6?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
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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/157103916/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/47?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/157061757/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/3?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/119627901/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/2?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.
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Web. 20 Oct. 2013.
<http://search.proquest.com/docview/157103392/1412D1F902B2E9F854
6/48?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.
Secondary Sources
Ball, Dewi Ioan. Competing Voices from Native America. Santa Barbra: Greenwood,
2009. Print. This book is a collection of different primary sources concerning
Native America, including newspaper reports, congressional documents,
government documents, and tribal sources. I used this source to get firsthand
accounts and documents concerning Wounded Knee in 1973.
Smith, Paul Chaat. Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded
Knee. New York: New, 1996. Print. This is a book about the Indian civil rights
movement. I used this source to gain some historical context on the situation,
specific causes, and impacts of the event. It is a secondary source, because
the author was not at the event.
Smith, Sherry Lynn. Hippies, Indians, and the Fight for Red Power. New York: Oxford
UP, 2012. Print. This is a book about the Indian civil rights movement. I used
this source to learn some historical context, causes, and impacts of the event.
It is a secondary source, because the author was not at the event.
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