Wounded Knee Occupation: Difference between revisions
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The '''Wounded Knee Incident''' began on [[February 27]], [[1973]], and represented the longest civil disorder in the history of the [[Marshals Service]]. |
The '''Wounded Knee Incident''' began on [[February 27]], [[1973]], and represented the longest civil disorder in the history of the [[Marshals Service]]. |
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The events of 1973 erupted from tensions within the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) people who make the Pine Ridge |
The events of 1973 erupted from tensions within the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) people who make the [[Pine Ridge Reservation]] their home. The Oglalas were largely divided into the those supporting reservation governing body recognized by the United States government and those who practiced a more traditional life in the outlying areas of the reservation. |
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The government recognized a governing body lead by tribal chairman Richard "Dick" Wilson. The traditional Oglalas felt that Wilson was distributing government funds to his friends and family in Pine Ridge Village while ignoring those living in the backcounty of the reservation. They also accused Wilson of using the private police force named the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (often called the GOON squad) to terrorize the tradition Oglalas and booster his power. |
The government recognized a governing body lead by tribal chairman Richard "Dick" Wilson. The traditional Oglalas felt that Wilson was distributing government funds to his friends and family in Pine Ridge Village while ignoring those living in the backcounty of the reservation. They also accused Wilson of using the private police force named the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (often called the GOON squad) to terrorize the tradition Oglalas and booster his power. |
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Revision as of 14:16, 22 June 2006
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
The Wounded Knee Incident began on February 27, 1973, and represented the longest civil disorder in the history of the Marshals Service.
The events of 1973 erupted from tensions within the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) people who make the Pine Ridge Reservation their home. The Oglalas were largely divided into the those supporting reservation governing body recognized by the United States government and those who practiced a more traditional life in the outlying areas of the reservation.
The government recognized a governing body lead by tribal chairman Richard "Dick" Wilson. The traditional Oglalas felt that Wilson was distributing government funds to his friends and family in Pine Ridge Village while ignoring those living in the backcounty of the reservation. They also accused Wilson of using the private police force named the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (often called the GOON squad) to terrorize the tradition Oglalas and booster his power.
To oppose Wilson and his government, the Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization (OSCRO) formed to represent the traditional Oglalas. In 1973, at Calico Hall, the OSCRO met with representatives of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a national Indian rights movement. This meeting precipitated the protest at Wounded Knee that became the standoff.
On Feb. 27, the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota was seized by followers of the AIM, who staged a 71-day occupation of the area. In response to the incident, Marshals Service volunteers stepped forward from all ranks of service to assist in a resolution. U.S. Marshals, Chief Deputies, Deputies, and support personnel alike were ready to make the sacrifices required to join the historic operation.
Both forces signed a dispossession agreement on May 5. The siege is considered to have ended on May 8, when half of the AIM community had left Wounded Knee. U.S. Marshal Lloyd Grimm (District of Nebraska) had been seriously wounded, as was an FBI agent. Killed at Wounded Knee were Frank Clearwater on April 17 and Lawrence "Buddy" LaMonte, a Vietnam veteran, on April 27.
Exposure to personal danger, extreme weather conditions, prolonged hours of duty, and absence from home were just a few of the many frustrations people of the Marshals Service faced at Wounded Knee.
See also
References
External links
- A Fire That Burns: The Legacy of Wounded Knee
- MSU AIM docs
- [1] A Tattoo Upon My Heart
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