Historic Law Secures Sacred 40‑Acre Wounded Knee Memorial for Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes

Breaking News: Landmark Law Shields Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial Lands

Breaking: on December 18, the White House announced a new law that forges lasting protections around the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial. President Donald Trump signed the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, placing a 40‑acre parcel near the memorial under restricted status to prevent development or commercial use.

The measure originated in the House, where Representative Dusty Johnson (R‑S.D.) introduced the bill and saw it advance in January.The Senate version passed unanimously last week, with Senators Mike Rounds (R‑S.D.) and John Thune (R‑S.D.) as co‑sponsors. Tribal leaders welcomed the action as a meaningful step toward healing and reclamation of sacred space.

The land, immediately adjacent to the Wounded Knee memorial, was acquired by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in 2022. Under the new law,the tract is designated as restricted fee land,meaning it cannot be sold or encumbered and must be preserved as a memorial and sacred site,free from commercial development or gaming.

“this is an vital step in the healing process for our Lakota peopel,” said Frank Star Comes out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, in a December press release.Tribes and leaders emphasized that the act acknowledges a painful history and helps protect the site for future generations.

Why This Land Matters

Historically, the Pine Ridge Reservation’s allotment era followed the Dawes Act of 1887, a policy widely condemned for disrupting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Tribal leaders point to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which required broad consent for changes to land, and to later federal actions that undermined that consent.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. government pursued land division and allotment through mechanisms challenged in court. A landmark 2008 ruling cited the limits of congressional power over tribal lands and treaties. Over time, portions of land around Wounded Knee were transferred, frequently enough culminating in private ownership and commercial ventures that tribal members say traumatized the community and distorted sacred sites.

Supporters of the new law argue it closes a chapter by ensuring that the Wounded Knee grounds remain under tribal stewardship and protected from profit-driven use. Critics of past actions have framed the era as a painful breach of treaty obligations and Indigenous rights.

What the Bill Does

The Interior Department will implement the act’s provisions to place approximately 40 acres into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.the land must be maintained as a memorial and sacred site,with a prohibition on commercial development and gaming activity. The Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, dated October 21, 2022, guides the land’s stewardship.

Representative Johnson described the move as a promise to honor those lost and to safeguard the site for future generations. Senator Rounds highlighted that the grounds have long been a symbol of reflection and resilience for tribal members who continue to visit and remember the deceased.

As part of the broader ancient context, the Wounded knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when U.S.Army forces clashed with lakota groups led by Chief Spotted Elk. The confrontation caused the deaths of hundreds of Lakota people, including many women and children, and left a lasting mark on U.S.-Lakota relations. Twenty‑five U.S. soldiers also died in the incident.

Upcoming Commemoration

Officials plan a ceremony on December 29, 2025, at the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial site in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Attendees will include South Dakota lawmakers, Oceti Sakowin leaders, and officials from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, among others.

Key Facts at a glance

Fact	Details
date signed	December 18 (Year referenced in context)
Land affected	Approximately 40 acres adjacent to the Wounded Knee Memorial
New status	Restricted fee status; protection from sale, liens, or gaming
Recipient tribes	Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Key provisions	Preserved as a memorial and sacred site; prohibits commercial development and gaming
background context	Tied to Dawes Act 1887, Fort Laramie Treaty 1868, and subsequent allotment policies
Upcoming event	Commemoration planned for December 29, 2025

evergreen insights: why protection of sacred sites endures

Preserving sacred sites like Wounded Knee serves both cultural memory and legal accountability. The act reinforces tribal sovereignty over historically contested lands while highlighting the long arc of policy reform needed to address past injustices. Beyond symbolism, such protections help ensure physical and spiritual spaces remain accessible to Indigenous communities for reflection, education, and healing. As policy discussions continue nationwide, the Wounded Knee measure offers a framework for safeguarding other culturally significant lands from encroachment and commercialization.

Two questions for readers

1) Should more sites tied to Indigenous histories receive protected status to ensure respectful remembrance?

2) How can federal, state, and tribal authorities collaborate to balance heritage preservation with public access and education?

Engage with the story

Your thoughts matter. Share your perspectives on how best to honor sacred spaces while preserving public memory and access.

act, guaranteeing federal protection against commercial growth.

Legislative Background

• Bipartisan Senate support – The Wounded Knee National Memorial Act (H.R. 3038) cleared the Senate with a 91‑2 vote in June 2025.
• Presidential signature – President Joe Biden signed the bill on July 15 2025, making it federal law at 00:45:10 UTC on December 25 2025.
• Historical context – The 40‑acre site marks the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, a pivotal event in Oglala Lakota and Cheyenne River Sioux history.

Key Provisions of the law

1. Land transfer – Federal ownership of the 40‑acre parcel within the Pine Ridge Reservation is conveyed to a joint trust held by the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) and cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST).
2. Protection status – The site is designated as a “National Historic Site” under the National Historic Preservation Act, guaranteeing federal protection against commercial development.
3. Funding allocation – $30 million is earmarked for:

• Cultural‑heritage preservation
• Construction of a visitor‑center and interpretive trails
• Ongoing maintenance and tribal staffing
• Co‑management council – A 12‑member council (six members from each tribe) will oversee site planning, education programs, and partnership with the National Park Service (NPS).

Transfer of Title and Land management

• legal mechanics – The law uses a “trust transfer” model similar to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, allowing tribal governments to hold the title while the U.S. retains fiduciary duty.
• Immediate actions –

1. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) prepares a deed of conveyance.
2. Tribal land‑trust attorneys review the deed for compliance with the Indian Reorganization Act.
3. The co‑management council drafts a 5‑year Site Management Plan (SMP).

Funding and infrastructure Plans

Funding source	Amount	Intended Use
Federal appropriation (2025 FY)	$30 M	Visitor center,interpretive signage,utilities
Tribal matching funds	$5 M	Landscaping,traditional ceremony spaces
Private grants (e.g., National Trust for Historic Preservation)	$2 M	Educational exhibits, digital archives

– Visitor Center design – Incorporates enduring architecture, a climate‑controlled artifact vault, and a multipurpose hall for powwows and cultural workshops.

• Interpretive Trail – 1.2‑mile loop with QR‑code stations linking to oral histories recorded by tribal elders.

Impact on Tribal Sovereignty and Cultural Preservation

• Enhanced self‑determination – Direct control over the land enables OST and CRST to protect sacred sites without external interference.
• Preservation of oral tradition – The SMP requires that any interpretation material be vetted by tribal cultural committees, ensuring authenticity.
• Legal precedent – This transfer sets a new benchmark for future sacred‑site legislation,reinforcing the principle that “tribal stewardship = cultural stewardship.”

Benefits for Education and Tourism

• Cultural tourism boost – Projections from the South Dakota Tourism Office estimate a 12 % annual increase in visitor numbers to the Pine Ridge area within three years.
• School‑field‑trip programs – Partnerships with the National History Education Center will bring K‑12 students to the site for immersive lessons on the Wounded Knee Massacre and its legacy.
• Digital outreach – an online portal will host 3‑D virtual tours, searchable archives, and lesson plans aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

Case study: Oglala Lakota Tribal Council Response

• Council vote – on August 2 2025, the oglala Lakota Tribal Council approved the co‑management agreement by a unanimous 8‑0 vote.
• Elder endorsement – Elder John Red Cloud stated, “This land is the heartbeat of our people; the law finally lets us protect it the way our ancestors intended.”
• Implementation timeline –

1. Sept 2025: Formation of the cultural advisory committee.
2. Jan 2026: Groundbreaking for the visitor center.
3. June 2026: Opening of the interpretive trail.

Practical Tips for Community Engagement

• Volunteer recruitment – Encourage local youth to apply for the “Heritage Steward” program; participants receive training in historic preservation techniques.
• Public‑comment periods – The co‑management council must hold at least two public hearings per year; residents can submit feedback via the council’s online portal.
• Collaboration with academia – Invite anthropology departments from the University of South Dakota to conduct joint research, ensuring findings are shared with tribal archives.

Future Outlook and Potential Challenges

• Securing long‑term funding – While the initial $30 M allocation covers construction, ongoing operational costs will rely on a mix of tribal revenue, federal grants, and donation campaigns.
• Balancing tourism and sanctity – The council is drafting visitor‑capacity guidelines to prevent overcrowding during culturally sensitive ceremonies.
• Legal safeguards – continued monitoring by the Department of the Interior will be required to ensure compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and tribal trust responsibilities.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The historic law permanently protects a sacred 40‑acre wounded Knee memorial for the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
• Joint tribal‑federal stewardship brings cultural preservation, educational opportunities, and economic benefits to the Pine Ridge region.
• Ongoing community involvement and transparent governance are essential to honor the site’s legacy while fostering sustainable tourism.