Sioux Empire Today

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) has re-introduced the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act in an effort to preserve a portion of land significant for its historical context. The bill, which passed the House unanimously last Congress but did not become law, aims to protect the site where hundreds of Lakota Indians were killed by the U.S. Army.

Johnson expressed gratitude to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for their collaboration on this legislation. "I’m grateful to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for their help the last few years to draft this legislation and advance it in the House," said Johnson. He further emphasized his hope that "the bill passes this Congress to provides greater tribal sovereignty to this sacred land."

The act proposes placing the land into restricted fee status, allowing ownership by both tribes while imposing restrictions such as prohibiting alienation and taxation from state or local governments. This arrangement follows the tribes' purchase of the land in September 2022, with a covenant signed on October 21, 2022, declaring it a memorial and sacred site free from development.

The proposed legislation specifies that ownership remains with both tribes under civil and criminal jurisdiction of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. It cannot be sold without congressional consent and is exempt from state or local taxes.

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau commented on the significance of protecting these grounds: “This critically important bill protects and secures the grounds of Wounded Knee Memorial site... We thank Congressman Dusty Johnson for his steadfast support." Similarly, Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out expressed support: “We continue to support Representative Dusty Johnson’s efforts in Congress... This bill passed the House in the 118th Congress and we expect it to pass again."

The background of Wounded Knee highlights a tragic event from December 29, 1890, when U.S. Army troops opened fire on Chief Spotted Elk's band near Wounded Knee Creek, resulting in substantial loss of life among Lakota Indians.