Part 1.13 – The American Indian Movement and the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation
A New Chapter of Resistance
In 1973, nearly a century after the Wounded Knee Massacre, the tiny village of Wounded Knee once again became a battleground—this time, not of soldiers against civilians, but of Indigenous activists against centuries of injustice. The American Indian Movement (AIM), joined by Oglala Lakota residents and supporters from across Indian Country, seized Wounded Knee in an act of defiance that electrified the world.
This modern occupation rekindled the spirit of resistance and refocused national and international attention on Indigenous sovereignty, treaty rights, and human dignity.
The Roots of the Occupation
By the early 1970s, Pine Ridge Reservation and other Native communities across the United States were facing systemic poverty, police brutality, political corruption, and deep disillusionment with federal policy.
Specific grievances included:
- The corrupt leadership of Pine Ridge Tribal Chairman Dick Wilson, accused of authoritarianism and violent suppression of political opponents.
- Failure of the U.S. government to uphold historic treaty obligations, particularly the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
- Rampant racism, law enforcement abuse, and economic deprivation faced by Indigenous peoples nationwide.
Inspired by the civil rights movement, young Native activists formed AIM in 1968 to fight for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and justice.
The Siege at Wounded Knee
On February 27, 1973, AIM leaders, including Dennis Banks and Russell Means, alongside Lakota elders and community members, occupied Wounded Knee village.
They declared the independent Oglala Nation and demanded that the U.S. government honor its treaties and investigate abuses on Pine Ridge. They also called for Senate hearings on Native American conditions across the country.
Federal authorities quickly surrounded Wounded Knee with U.S. Marshals, FBI agents, and National Guard troops. A tense, armed standoff ensued, lasting 71 days.
The Cost of Resistance
During the siege:
- Two Native activists were killed: Frank Clearwater and Buddy Lamont.
- Dozens were wounded