Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law.

The bill requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.

Bill 118 hr 3371, also known as the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to establish a memorial at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota, which took place on December 29, 1890. The massacre, in which hundreds of Lakota Sioux men, women, and children were killed by US Army troops, is a dark chapter in American history.

The bill also seeks to designate the site of the massacre as a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its significance in Native American history and the need to preserve and honor the memory of those who lost their lives. Additionally, the legislation would provide federal funding for the maintenance and protection of the memorial and sacred site.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is important to remember and acknowledge the tragic events that occurred at Wounded Knee, and to ensure that future generations understand the impact of colonization and violence on Native American communities. They believe that establishing a memorial and sacred site will help to promote healing and reconciliation. Opponents of the bill may argue that it is unnecessary or that federal funding should not be used for this purpose. However, the bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the importance of honoring the memory of those who were killed at Wounded Knee and preserving the site for future generations. Overall, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act is a significant piece of legislation that seeks to recognize and commemorate a tragic event in American history, while also promoting healing and reconciliation for Native American communities.