The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota
1972- Richard Wilson is elected as Chairman of the Pine Ridge Indian Reserve. He favors family and friends for jobs, uses the tribal lands in unpopular ways, and uses violence to suppress political opposition. Tension on the reservation is growing.
Jan. 1973- Charges of impeachment were brought to Wilson, but since the prosecution's case was not ready immediately the council dropped the hearing. Tribal Chiefs and AIM leaders decided to protest through occupation of the site of the last large scale massacre of the Indian Wars: Wounded Knee.
Wounded Knee, South Dakota
Feb. 27, 1973- The occupation begins. They came with a caravan of trucks in the middle of the night, took the residents hostage, and set up road blocks surrounding the town. Within hours, police and FBI had surrounded the town
Mar. 1, 1973- After the first days of occupation, all roads to Wounded Knee were blocked and 2 senators went to wounded knee to negotiate the release of hostages. The terms proposed were never agreed upon by both sides and the conflict continued. When hostages were finally allowed to leave, some stayed in Wounded Knee after sympathizing with the Oglala.
Mar. 11, 1973- The Oglala tribe established the Independent Oglala Nation to negotiate with the U.S. nation-to-nation. Some leaders even sought UN recognition, but it was never achieved.
April 5-May 8, 1973- Countless failed negotiations and numerous gun battles plagued the occupation. By May 8, over half those involved had fled, and moral on both sides were minimal due to lost lives. At that point, government officials regained control of the town.
Aftermath- The government agreed to create a committee to look at the relations between Native Americans and the US, and establish more effective policies