The stage was set for violent conflict (Incident at Oglala).
The American Indian Movement
The American Indian Movement (AIM) emerged in the 1960s during the civil rights era. It started in urban areas to protest oppression of the Indian people and to support their traditional way of life. They described themselves as "an indigenous, land-based spiritual movement, a call to Indian people to return to their sacred traditions and, at the same time, to stand firm against the tide of...European influence and dominance" (cited in Sanchez, Stuckey, and Morris, 1999).
The AIM tried to attract attention to Indian problems by demonstrating and protesting the government's refusal to honor its treaty agreements with the Indians. The government perceived the AIM activism as subversive, militant, and dangerous. A confidential FBI report written in 1974 titled, "The American Indian Movement: A Record of Violence," began: "Since 1971, the American Indian Movement (AIM) has engaged in activities which clearly indicate the organization's willingness to go beyond radical rhetoric and employ violence where desired" (cited in Sanchez, Stuckey, and Morris, 1999, p. 36). The reported supplied a list of 27 subversive events, but only a few even approached being violent.
After an AIM demonstration called "The Trail of Broken Treaties," the government agreed to form a task force and investigate Indian grievances. A report of their findings was to be sent to the President. The Task Force's report was only five paragraphs and less than one page long. It concluded, "We do not recommend any policy changes at this time" (cited in Sanchez, Stuckey, & Morris, 1999, p. 31).
Disappointed but undeterred, the AIM decided to seize the trading post at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in order to draw attention to the community and to demand restoration of treaty agreements. The Pine Ridge community had used every legal means available to get the government to address more than 150 civil rights violations by the Wilson regime. In fact, White House files revealed "numerous letters from residents detailing the violent and illegal actions of Richard Wilson and his vigilantes (called Guardians...
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