Updated Feb. 27, 2024 at 11:50 a.m.
On this day in 1973, American Indian Movement members occupied the Wounded Knee village on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to protest the federal government's treatment of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The occupation lasted 71 days, and brought unprecedented attention to the plight of native peoples in the U.S.
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What was the American Indian Movement (AIM)?
AIM was a Native American activism organization founded in 1968 to address issues faced by indigenous peoples, including treaty rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation.
How did the government respond to the occupation?
The federal government, led by the FBI, responded to the occupation by surrounding the village with armed agents and engaging in a standoff with the protesters. Two people were killed and several others were injured during the occupation.
What was the outcome of the occupation?
The occupation ended without a resolution and with many of the protesters facing federal charges. However, the occupation brought national attention to the issues faced by Native Americans and led to some improvements in their living conditions.