Native American Voices Rise Against Pentagon’s Decision to Preserve Wounded Knee Medals

In December 1890, a tragic event unfolded at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. What started as a confrontation escalated into a massacre, leaving over 300 Lakota Sioux dead, including men, women, and children. This event is often viewed as a brutal ending to the Indian Wars, a period marked by the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands.

Recently, the decision by the Pentagon to uphold medals awarded to U.S. soldiers who participated in this tragic event stirred controversy. Larry Wright Jr., of the National Congress of American Indians, condemned this choice, stating, “Celebrating war crimes is not patriotic.” His words reflect a broader sentiment among Native Americans and historians who seek acknowledgment of past wrongs as part of the path toward healing.

In the wake of this decision, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, publicly defended it. He claimed the soldiers deserved their honors and criticized a predecessor for not addressing this issue. This stance has sparked debates about how we recognize history and who gets commemorated.

The massacre at Wounded Knee is not just an isolated incident; it’s a reflection of a long history of conflict and broken treaties. In 1990, for instance, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution expressing “deep regret” for the massacre, indicating some recognition of historical injustices. Yet, this acknowledgment feels distant when juxtaposed with current policies at the Pentagon that have curtailed commemorative efforts for diverse histories.

Furthermore, recent discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Pentagon have faced backlash. Celebrations like Native American History Month have been sidelined, raising concerns about the erasure of important narratives from historical memory. This ongoing tension highlights the struggle between honoring a complex past and the political climate influencing such decisions today.

Engaging with our history, especially the darker chapters, is essential. Understanding events like the Wounded Knee Massacre can foster reconciliation, informing not just military policy but also our national identity as we move forward. The conversations around these issues reveal a critical need for continued dialogue and reflection on how we remember our past and who is included in that narrative.

For those interested in exploring more about the historical significance of Wounded Knee and its impact, the National Archives offers a wealth of resources and documents that detail this period of American history.



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