Edited by Gerald Boerner
Commentary:
We turn our attention today to one of many episodes of our country not living up to its promises in Indian treaties. We refer to the Massacre at Wounded Knee. When the treaty to relocate the Lakota Sioux to reservations in the Dakota Territory, promises were made to allow them to continue hunting, but also guaranteed then provisions IF they gave up their Black Hills land. It would seem that the only part of the treaty to be honored was the promise “to take their land.”
As the white families started to settle the territory, they also started to slaughter the buffalo. That left the Indians without enough food and supplies. Also, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills didn’t help much. When the Indian agents couldn’t supply the needs, a right under the treaty, the Lakota started to adopt the messianic vision of Tom Wilson (Wovoka) — the Ghost Dance.
This religion/ceremony incited the Indians to a militant frenzy. The white settlers reacted with fear. They called on the Army for protection. Unfortunately, this led to the death of Sitting Bull, which fueled the fires of resistance among the Indians. This would lead to the Massacre on this day, December 29th, in 1890. Up to 300 Indians were slaughtered that day including many unarmed women and children.
This battle still stirs emotional responses among Indian rights groups today. So, let’s start our exploration of this event… GLB
These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved[ 3801 Words ]
Quotations Related to SIOUX
“I had many enemies among the Sioux; I would be running considerable risk in meeting them.”
— Buffalo Bill
“We had avoided discovery by the Sioux scouts, and we were confident of giving them a complete surprise.”
— Buffalo Bill
“I differ materially from Capt. Lewis, in my account of the numbers, manners, and morals of the Sioux.”
— Zebulon Pike