The members of AIM walked out with their heads held high and with the knowledge that their cause had been advanced through publicity. This happened on May 8, 1973 when the Wounded Knee Occupation came to an end after 71 days. It all started with a dispute over leadership on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. “Traditionals” were upset with the dictatorial power of elected tribal chairman Dick Wilson. Wilson had his own private militia called the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs) which supported his corruption and favoritism towards relatives and supporters. The American Indian Movement had been created in 1968 to protest police harassment in Minneapolis. It quickly expanded its issues to include better treatment of Native Americans, preservation of Indian culture, and renegotiating of land-grab treaties. It got involved in the challenge to Wilson’s reign. Led by Dennis Banks and Russell Means, and influenced by the tactics of Civil Rights activists, 200 members of AIM occupied the hamlet of Wounded Knee. It was a publicity bonanza as the site reminded Americans of the shame of the last massacre of the Indian Wars and was thus a symbol of mistreatment of Native-Americans. Wilson saw the occupation as a threat to himself and garnered federal support. U.S. Marshals and the FBI were called out and laid siege to the hamlet, cutting off electricity, food, and water. Gunfire was exchanged almost every day. Two Indians were killed and a black civil rights activist named Ray Robinson disappeared, assumed murdered. The public sided with the militants and several prominent celebrities spoke in favor of AIM. Marlon Brando famously refused to attend the Oscars for his “Godfather” win, sending Native American woman to accept the award and make a speech supporting Indian rights. The occupation ended peacefully after both sides agreed to disarm and AIM was promised that treaties would be discussed. It was a hollow promise, but AIM had achieved its goal of bringing its views to the public.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/wounded-knee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Occupation
Russell Means and Dennis Banks
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