Preserving the Legacy: U.S. Senate Approves Bill to Protect Wounded Knee Massacre Site
The U.S. Senate has approved a bill to protect a portion of the Wounded Knee Massacre site on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson in the House and Sen. Mike Rounds in the Senate, aims to memorialize the tragic event and preserve the land for future generations. The bill would place 40 acres of the massacre site in restricted-fee status, ensuring it cannot be sold, taxed, gifted, or leased without approval from Congress and the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes.
Both tribes have welcomed the passage of the bill, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the atrocities committed against the Lakota people and ensuring that the memory of the Wounded Knee Massacre is preserved. The legislation also promotes tribal self-determination and allows for the protection of the Wounded Knee site in perpetuity. The bill's approval comes after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rejected calls to rescind medals awarded to soldiers for their involvement in the massacre.
The Wounded Knee Massacre, which took place on Dec. 29, 1890, was a tragic event in U.S.-Lakota relations, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children. Congress passed a resolution in 1990 expressing deep regret for the massacre. The bill's passage signifies a step towards honoring the victims and ensuring that the site remains sacred for years to come.