On This Day: In 1890 the Wounded Knee Massacre happened near Wounded Knee Creek (Lakota: Cankpe Opi Wakpala) on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA.
The day before, the 7th Cavalry had intercepted Spotted Elks band of Miniconjou Lakota and 38 Hunkpapa Lakota near Porcupine Butte and escorted them five miles westward to Wounded Knee Creek, where they made camp.
On the morning of December 29, the troops went into the Lakota camp to disarm them. A scuffle ensued, resulting in the 7th Cavalry opening fire indiscriminately from all sides, killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow troopers.
By the time it was over, at least 300 men, women, and children of the Lakota Sioux had been killed and 51 wounded.
Later 20 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their slaughter and participation in the massacre.
The Lakota were initially left in the field, but three days later they were buried in a mass grave on a nearby hill.
He Mihi Aroha Atu ki aIndigenous Peoples Issues and Resources
Dakota doctor witnesses Wounded Knee aftermath
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