In the late 1960s, Native Americans faced widespread discrimination, poverty, and broken treaties. Urban relocation programs and government policies sought to assimilate Indigenous people into mainstream society, often at the expense of their culture and sovereignty. Amid this backdrop, the American Indian Movement (AIM) emerged in 1968, founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Native activists like Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, and Russell Means. AIM sought to protect Native rights, address systemic injustices, and reclaim Indigenous identity.
AIM’s activism quickly gained national attention. From the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 to the Trail of Broken Treaties march in 1972, the movement highlighted the United States’ failure to honor treaties and respect Native sovereignty. But it was at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota where AIM’s struggle reached a boiling point.
Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee
Pine Ridge, home to the Oglala Lakota Nation, was a microcosm of the challenges faced by Native communities. In the 1970s, the reservation was plagued by extreme poverty, unemployment, and corruption under the leadership of tribal chairman Richard Wilson. Wilson’s administration, supported by the U.S. government, was accused of misusing funds, nepotism, and violently suppressing dissent through his private militia, the “GOON Squad” (Guardians of the Oglala Nation).
Tensions exploded in 1973 when AIM activists and local Lakota residents, fed up with Wilson’s rule and federal neglect, occupied the village of Wounded Knee on Pine Ridge Reservation. The site was symbolic—it was where, in 1890, U.S. troops massacred hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children. The 71-day standoff between AIM and federal authorities drew global attention. AIM demanded the investigation of treaty violations and the removal of Wilson. The standoff ended with the deaths of two Native men and the unresolved grievances of the Lakota people.
The “Reign of Terror”
In the years following Wounded Knee, Pine Ridge became a war zone. The “Reign of Terror,” as locals called it, saw over 60 AIM supporters and residents killed under mysterious circumstances, often linked to Wilson’s GOON Squad. Despite the violence, few investigations were conducted, and justice was rarely served. Among the most infamous cases was the 1975 shootout at Oglala, which resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and one AIM member. Leonard Peltier, an AIM activist, was convicted for the agents’ deaths in a controversial trial and remains imprisoned to this day, a symbol of the ongoing struggle for Native justice.
Echoes to Today
The legacy of AIM and Pine Ridge reverberates in modern Native activism. The fight for sovereignty, environmental justice, and cultural preservation continues. The 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock echoed the spirit of AIM, as Native nations and allies united to protect sacred lands and water.
Pine Ridge itself remains a testament to both the resilience and challenges of Native communities. It is one of the poorest areas in the United States, grappling with systemic issues like inadequate healthcare, housing, and education. Yet, it is also a place of cultural revival, where Lakota traditions, language, and spirituality are being reclaimed by new generations.
The Enduring Spirit
The story of AIM and Pine Ridge is not just one of struggle but of survival and hope. It reminds us that the fight for justice is ongoing and that the voices of Indigenous people must be heard. The echoes of AIM’s resistance challenge us to confront historical injustices and honor the sovereignty and dignity of Native nations.
As the Lakota saying goes: Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ—we are all related. The story of Pine Ridge is not just a Native story; it is an American story, one that calls for reconciliation, respect, and a commitment to equity for all.