Native American actions 1968-1975 (2)

What was Occupation of Wounded Knee 1973?

Site of Lakota massacre in 1890, it was a particularly important place for NAs

How long did opposition last?

Occupation by some 300 NAs lasted for 71 days, and saw violence and resistance to gvmt agents

What was the aim of occupation of Wounded Knee?

Aim was to draw attention to high unemployment rates among NAs, which were 50%, poor life expectancy, stood at 46 years, and high levels of alcoholism

What was achieved at Wounded Knee?

Settlement was achieved,  2 leaders arrested although they were acquitted. Although the Investigatory Commission set up due to this, concluded the federal gvmt had the power to take land

What happened at Pine Ridge Reservation 1975?

Near Wounded Knee further violence broke out and resulted in shootings which left 2 FBI agents and a protestor dead

Who was found guilty of murder?

 member of AIM was found guilty of murder, but Appeal Court blamed the killings on the overreaction of the authorities

Who was accused?

Leonard Petier was accused of killing them, and got a harsh sentence, which many saw as too harsh

What did the Red Power Movement do?

Red Power movement exerted considerable pressure on the gvmts, who saw that NAS were capable of being much more assertive. This, alongside federal gvmt realisation meant NAs were treated unfairly, helped to attain NA civil rights