On December 29, 1890, one of the most devastating and misunderstood events in U.S. history unfolded near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation in what is now South Dakota. This incident - commonly known today as the Wounded Knee Massacre - was the culmination of decades of tension, cultural suppression, and conflict between Native American tribes and the expanding United States government.
What Happened at Wounded Knee
In the final months of 1890, hundreds of Lakota Sioux men, women, and children were camped near Wounded Knee Creek after fleeing to seek peace at the Pine Ridge Reservation. The U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry Regiment surrounded the Lakota band in the early morning. During a tense effort to disarm the group - led by Chief Spotted Elk (also known as Big Foot) - a firearm was discharged accidentally or amid confusion. In response, soldiers unleashed heavy fire on the encampment.
When the smoke cleared, between 250 and 300 Native Americans were dead, many of them unarmed women and children. Some estimates report even higher casualties, and at least 25 U.S. soldiers were also killed, many by friendly fire.
Although official reports at the time attempted to describe the event as a “battle,” historians widely agree that the massacre was an unjustified slaughter of largely defenseless people.
Why It Happened
The massacre must be understood in the broader context of U.S. policies and pressures on Indigenous peoples in the late 19th century. As the U.S. expanded westward, Native lands were seized, treaties were broken or ignored, and Indigenous cultures were systematically undermined.
In 1890, the Ghost Dance movement spread among the Plains tribes, including the Lakota. This spiritual movement offered hope of cultural renewal and the return of ancestral ways of life. Many Native people wore special Ghost Dance shirts believed to offer spiritual protection. U.S. authorities, fearful of a supposed uprising, reacted with suspicion and force.
The attempt to disarm the Lakota at Wounded Knee was a direct result of these heightened anxieties - fueled by misunderstanding, fear, and deep-seated prejudice.
The Legacy and Memory
Wounded Knee is not merely a historical footnote - it remains a powerful symbol of the cost of cultural erasure and military force. For many Native communities, it represents not only the loss of life but also the loss of autonomy, land, and dignity.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Wounded Knee became a rallying point for Indigenous rights. Notably, in 1973, followers of the American Indian Movement (AIM) occupied the town of Wounded Knee for 71 days, drawing national attention to ongoing struggles for treaty rights and justice.
In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution acknowledging the massacre and expressing deep regret to the descendants of those killed. Despite this, debates continue - such as recent controversy over whether soldiers involved in the massacre should retain Medals of Honor, a subject of criticism from Native leaders and scholars who argue it dishonors historical truth.
A Place of Remembrance
Today, Wounded Knee Battlefield is recognized as a historic site. Portions of the land where the massacre occurred are being preserved as memorials to those who lost their lives. Indigenous peoples and allies continue to visit and honor this place, ensuring that history is neither forgotten nor sanitized.
Why This Matters
Understanding events like the Wounded Knee Massacre is not about assigning blame based on modern identity. Rather, it is about recognizing the full scope of history - both its achievements and its tragedies - and respecting the experiences of those who lived through them. History helps shape our shared narrative, and remembering Wounded Knee fosters awareness, empathy, and justice for Native communities today.
Remembering Through Meaningful Action
Remembering Wounded Knee is not only about looking back at history. It is about choosing not to forget, choosing to listen, and choosing to honor Indigenous voices that were silenced for generations.
At Empower Native Voice, we believe remembrance can take many forms - learning, sharing stories, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and carrying messages that speak quietly but powerfully. For those who wish to honor this history in a respectful way, we have created pieces inspired by Indigenous resilience, identity, and truth.
🔗 Explore the collection here: Trail Of Tears Collection
These pieces are not statements of division, but reminders - that history matters, voices matter, and remembrance is a responsibility we all share.