The Wounded Knee Massacre: A Dark Chapter in American History

The Prelude to the Wounded Knee Massacre

The Wounded Knee Massacre stands as a somber chapter in United States history, occurring on December 29, 1890, and resulting in the deaths of an estimated 250 to 300 Lakota Sioux individuals, including men, women, and children. This event unfolded within the larger context of American westward expansion, characterized by the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which justified the displacement of Indigenous peoples for settler occupation. The Lakota Sioux, who lived in the vicinity of South Dakota's Wounded Knee Creek, were profoundly affected by such policies. The U.S. government's approach to managing the territorial expansion involved treaties with Native American tribes, which were frequently violated. A prominent example is the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which guaranteed the Sioux a large reservation and the right to hunt in the Black Hills, but was later abrogated when gold was discovered in the region, leading to increased tensions and conflicts.

The Strain of Reservation Life and the Ghost Dance Movement

The imposition of reservation life imposed severe hardships on the Lakota Sioux, disrupting their cultural and economic practices. The transition from a nomadic lifestyle centered on bison hunting to sedentary agriculture proved difficult, particularly in the challenging environment of the Great Plains. The Lakota's reliance on government provisions, such as food rations, became a point of contention when the government reduced these rations in 1889 due to budget cuts. During this period of hardship, the Ghost Dance movement, a spiritual revival led by the Paiute prophet Wovoka, spread among the Lakota. The movement, which prophesied the return of the buffalo and the disappearance of white settlers, was misinterpreted by U.S. authorities as a militant threat, leading to increased surveillance and intervention.

The Arrest of Sitting Bull and Rising Tensions

The situation between the Lakota Sioux and the U.S. government further deteriorated with the involvement of Sitting Bull, a respected Hunkpapa Lakota leader and supporter of the Ghost Dance. The government's misinterpretation of the movement's intentions and fear of an uprising prompted an attempt to arrest Sitting Bull, which ended in his death on December 15, 1890, during a confrontation with Indian agency police. This incident heightened tensions within the Lakota community, leading to divisions between those seeking confrontation and those advocating for peace. Chief Big Foot, a leader of the Miniconjou Lakota, became a target for arrest as he led his followers toward the Pine Ridge Reservation in a bid for safety.

The Tragic Events at Wounded Knee Creek

Chief Big Foot's group never completed their journey to Pine Ridge. They were intercepted by the 7th U.S. Cavalry near Wounded Knee Creek, where Big Foot, who was suffering from pneumonia, was detained along with his band. The situation rapidly deteriorated when the soldiers demanded the surrender of all Lakota weapons. During an ensuing scuffle, a gun discharged accidentally, which led to the soldiers indiscriminately firing upon the largely unarmed Lakota. The use of disproportionate force, including Hotchkiss guns (a type of early machine gun), resulted in a horrific massacre, with casualties extending for miles around the initial encounter site.

The Aftermath and Historical Reckoning

In the massacre's aftermath, the wounded Lakota were taken to the Pine Ridge Agency, while others fled or engaged in sporadic resistance. The U.S. Army buried the dead in a mass grave on a site now known as Cemetery Hill. Initially, the event was portrayed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the contemporary press as a battle, with the narrative favoring the perspective of the settlers and the government. Over time, historical scholarship and public sentiment have evolved to recognize the Wounded Knee Massacre as a stark example of the injustices inflicted upon Native Americans. In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution expressing regret for the events at Wounded Knee. There have also been calls to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the massacre. The incident marked the end of the Indian Wars on the Plains, but its legacy endures in the form of continued advocacy for the recognition and rectification of historical wrongs against Indigenous peoples.