A bill introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson to memorialize and protect the land where the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred passed through the House Natural Resources Committee and now awaits a vote in the full chamber.
Johnson introduced the Wounded Knee Massacre and Sacred Site Act last month. Representatives from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Tribe spoke in support of the bill.
“I’m thankful for the collaboration between both tribes and my office over the past seven months,” Johnson said. “Our nation has an imperfect past, and it is important to remember and honor those lives lost on that dark day. I’m glad the committee agreed on the importance of passing this bill and I look forward to getting it passed out of the House.”
If passed, the bill would guarantee that both tribes keep ownership of the land, the land would remain under the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s civil and criminal jurisdiction, and that it cannot be sold without consent from both tribes and Congress. It would also protect the land from taxation by state or local governments.
Johnson, Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau all testified in favor of the bill in the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, according to a press release from Johnson’s office.
“We the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe are pleased with the results of the House Committee on Natural Resources and their impressive work to expedite this bill to protect the lands of the Wounded Knee Massacre site,” LeBeau said.
