Oregon vs Wounded Knee
On February 27, 1973, about 200 members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) began an occupation of Wounded Knee, The seventy-one day action, which gained international media attention, was an important chapter in our nation’s history. It was, of course, highly symbolic of the nature of US-Indian relations, and took place in a hamlet near where the massacre of over 200 Lakota people occurred on December 29, 1890.
A central issue was the relationship between Native American people and the land that they inhabited. It was as important in 1973, as it had been in 1890. Indeed, the distinctions between the manner in which various people relate to the environment -- the land, the water,and the air -- remains one of the most significant conflicts in our society today.
It is worth noting that in 1973, President Richard Nixon moved to have the United States Army play a central role in the non-Indian response to AIM’s occupation of what was and is, by all legal definitions, Indian territory.
The US military and para-military supporters had state-of-the-art (of killing) automatic weapons, machine guns, an estimated 130,000 rounds of ammunition, helicopters, and more. People suffered and died. Federal charges would be brought against two important AIM leaders, Dennis Banks and Russell Means.
The jury that heard the case would vote 12-0 the pair were “not guilty” on the central charge of conspiracy. Before they could address the other, lesser charges, one juror had a stroke, and was unable to continue. The US government was unwilling to accept any 11-0 judgments, and sought a new trial. But the judge dismissed the case, based upon unconstitutional government misconduct.
Douglas Brinkley’s book of White House transcripts, “The Nixon Tapes; 1973” documents the intensity of Richard Nixon’s advocating for a military solution to this conflict. Numerous other sources document how Nixon selected Al Haig to take charge of the military operation, and its tragic outcome.
I understand and fully appreciate people’s strong ties to the land they live upon. This seems to be particularly true when families have lived in an area for multiple generations. More, both the American Revolutionary War, and the infamous Anti-Rent War of the 1800s, were largely or entirely rooted in people’s relationship to land. Indeed, the disconnect between people and the environment -- while it creates numerous very serious problems -- appears to prevent many people from standing up for their rights as citizens of this country.
When I say this, I in no way intend to express approval of the current crisis, where the terrorists are occupying federal land in Oregon. While I am fully convinced that there is a definite need for public demonstrations -- including civil disobedience in some instances -- I know that the non-violent tactics of Gandhi and King are essential. And I know that our relationship with the land, water, and air is worth our accepting the consequences of such non-violent activities.
I mentioned the Wounded Knee incident for two reasons. First, as many intelligent people have correctly noted, too often the government’s response to potential conflicts is determined by the “race” or ethnic identity of those they identify as “the enemy.” (While discussing Oregon with my daughter this afternoon, I asked, “Can you imagine if this involved Black Lives Matter?” She responded, “No, I really can’t. A lot of my friends are actively involved with Black Lives Matter. And none of them would ever think about carrying a weapon to a public demonstration.”)
Second, when we consider Nixon’s vile reaction, including his ordering a military response, we have a preview of how several of the current republican candidates will respond to those attempting to do nothing other than exercise their constitutional rights, as defined by Amendment 1. And that’s something we all should be paying close attention to. And I say that, fully aware that those of us who have been active participants in pro-environmental issues -- such as the struggle to prevent “fracking” -- are already all too familiar with.
Peace,
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
Feb 27, although I was not born in 1973.
This is still an open wound for many there. 
