ReportWire

Tag: Wounded Knee Massacre

  • NCAI: “Wounded Knee Was Not a Battle, It Was the Deliberate Mass Killing of 350 Lakota

    [ad_1]

    The aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre (Photo/Wikimedia Commons)

    On Friday, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) pushed back on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) decision to retain the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. This decision announced on Thursday  disregards the well-documented truth of a brutal, unprovoked massacre carried out by the 7th Cavalry against the Lakota people—and ignores the moral obligation to confront past injustices with integrity.

    Wounded Knee was not a “battle.” It was the deliberate mass killing of more than 350 unarmed Lakota men, women, and children who had sought refuge at Wounded Knee Creek. Contrary to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s claim that these medals are “no longer up for debate,” the event is widely recognized as a historical atrocity. This includes acknowledgment by historians, Tribal Nations, and even the U.S. Senate, which expressed its regret through Concurrent Resolution 153 in 1990. By preserving these medals, the DoD perpetuates the injustice and deepens the pain felt by the victims’ descendants and Native communities across the country.

    Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

    “Honoring those involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre with the United States’ highest military award is incompatible with the values the Medal of Honor is meant to represent,” said Larry Wright Jr., NCAI Executive Director. “Celebrating war crimes is not patriotic. This decision undermines truth-telling, reconciliation, and the healing that Indian Country and the United States still need.”

    These medals should never have been awarded. In 2024, the DoD initiated a formal review of the medals, but despite decades of advocacy by tribal nations, historians, and members of Congress, this week’s announcement confirms the medals will remain. NCAI stands in solidarity with the Lakota Nations, Tribal communities, Native veterans, and active-duty service members—who serve the United States at higher rates than any other demographic—calling for the correction of the historical record and the alignment of our highest honors with our highest principles.

    NCAI echoes the powerful voices of tribal leaders whose communities continue to bear the intergenerational trauma of this horrific event.

    “Secretary Hegseth’s decision is another act of violence against our Lakota people,” said Chairwoman Janet Alkire, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “The Wounded Knee Massacre was an unprovoked attack on men, women, children and elders who had been rounded up by the military. As Indian people, we know what bravery and sacrifice means. We serve in the military at greater rates than any other group in the United States. I served in the Air Force with men and women who were brave and served with honor. The actions at Wounded Knee were not acts of bravery and valor deserving of the Medal of Honor. There is nothing Hegseth can do to rewrite the truth of that day.”

    “The Wounded Knee Massacre was one of the darkest days in U.S. history,” added Chairman Ryman LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. “The U.S. Cavalry stopped our people out on the high plains, surrounded them with guns and cannons, disarmed them, opened fire, and murdered them. Women and children were chased down and shot in the back. This is one of America’s darkest days and the medals must be revoked. They tarnish America’s Medals of Honor. There is no honor in murder. Secretary Pete Hegseth made this decision on his own concurrence with no contact or request for consultation to the Tribes.”

    NCAI calls on the Department of Defense to immediately release the findings of the review that led to this deeply flawed and ahistorical decision. The DoD must reverse course and engage directly with NCAI and the leaders of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association. In addition, we urge Congress to pass the “Remove the Stain Act” to ensure the Medal of Honor reflects true courage—not cowardice and cruelty—and that our nation’s history is preserved with honesty and respect.

    About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. “

    Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • The Buffalo Soldier Associations’ Proclamation in Support of the Wounded Knee Massacre Descendants and Passage of the Remove the Stain Act

    The Buffalo Soldier Associations’ Proclamation in Support of the Wounded Knee Massacre Descendants and Passage of the Remove the Stain Act

    [ad_1]

    On June 25th, 2021, at 9 am (EST), several of the National Buffalo Soldiers Associations and affiliated organizations, including Buffalo Soldiers descendants, will present a Proclamation in support of the descendants of the Wounded Knee Massacre and passage of the Remove the Stain Act at the Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 3, 2021


    WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    On June 25th, 2021, at 9 am (EST), several of the National Buffalo Soldiers Associations and affiliated organizations, including Buffalo Soldiers descendants, will present a Proclamation in support of the descendants of the Wounded Knee Massacre and passage of the Remove the Stain Act at the Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. In January, the Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele and in the Senate by Senators Warren and Merkley.

    This historic event is the first time that descendants of ancestral enemies are uniting to address humanitarian causes common to their people. One hundred fifty-five years have passed since Congress commissioned the Buffalo Soldiers in 1866, 145 years since the Battle of the Little Big Horn (June 25th, 1876), and 131 years since the Wounded Knee Massacre (December 29th, 1890). Although Native Americans and African Americans were once combatants in battle, they often fought with respect for each other’s loyalty to their cause, and now they come as brethren in peace.

    The ceremony will begin with the Lakota drum group presenting a flag song, the National Anthem, followed by the posting of colors by the honor guards. Afterward, the Buffalo Soldiers will present their Proclamation, followed by speakers representing the Buffalo Soldiers and the Wounded Knee descendants. We will also hear from special guests following the Proclamation presentation. At the ceremony’s conclusion, there will be retrieval of colors, and the drum group will sing an honoring song.

    Attendance is limited to invitees of the Buffalo Associations and the Wounded Knee Massacre Descendants, and special guests, speakers, and a limited number of media. The event will be live streamed at (https://www.facebook.com/fourdirections). We will abide by CDC recommendations for gatherings—please attend accordingly.

    Media contacts: Four Directions Native Vote co-Executive Director Oliver (OJ) Semans: tateota@hotmail.com 605-828-1422

    Buffalo Soldiers Associations, Cliff Lovette: cliff@lieut-henry-flipper-lives.org 404-583-4095

    Source: Lieut. Henry Flipper Lives! Inc.

    [ad_2]

    Source link