Tribal leaders are responding to the recent announcement Medals of Honor will not be revoked for the Wounded Knee Massacre.
After Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s announcement last week, tribal leaders have condemned the decision outright.
While the US Government formally describes the event as a “battle”, many describe it as a “massacre.” It took place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in what is now southwestern South Dakota
Oglala Lakota Tribal President and Marine Corps combat veteran Frank Star Comes Out writes in a statement, quote, “Secretary Hegseth’s refusal is despicable, untruthful, and insulting to the Great Sioux Nation.”
He goes on to write, quote, “to call Wounded Knee a ‘battle’ dishonors the truth, desecrates the memory of our relatives, and insults Native American veterans who fought and died for this country from Normandy to present.” He adds the Oglala Sioux Tribe will not stop demanding the medals be rescinded.
This sentiment is reflected across the nation. The National Congress of American Indians describes the decision as “profoundly troubling” and that it disregards the historical record of a battle they describe as quote “brutal, unprovoked and a wrongful massacre of the Lakota by the United States 7th Cavalry.”
Additionally, NCAI demands the Department of War release the report Hegseth cited as reasoning to keep those Medals of Honor in place. The group also demands the secretary meet with the organization and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmans Association.
Figures differ for the total loss of life during the Wounded Knee Massacre. However, the death count is generally accepted to be between 250 and 300 Lakota people, primarily civilians.