Map of Reservations
This map of the Reservation across American show the state that native Americans were in by the end of the 19th Century. After years of fighting back against the assimilation and the destruction of the Native American People many found themselves stuck in reservations with poor recourses and a lack of hope for the future. On the reservations the Native Americans had control but the sweeping effort by the U.S government to Americanize there kids and different types of assimilation threatened the tribes and there reservation. Many saw no hope as they no longer had the strength to fight back against the American Army.
Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance, which was used after a Native American named Wovoka prophesied about the end of the white colonizers and the rebirth of Native Americans nation. This dance grew in popularity with Native Americans especially in the Great Plains. The U.S government deemed this dance as a threat against the ability to assimilate Native Americans, and sent troops to put down this mostly peaceful movement. The Ghost Dance was used by the Lakota Native Americans in Wounded Knee as they themselves saw a future where they were not constantly being threatened. The people at Wounded Knee thought they should be an independent nation and this was deemed a threat by the US government. The government sent the army to put out this rebellion in Wounded Knee which would eventually result in the massacre. The image above illustrates a cultural celebration of a proud group of people who want their independence. Viewers can see the picture demonstrates the festive spirit and the belief in their cause that they must have felt.
Big Foot
Big Foot, a leader of the Lakota tribe in Wounded Knee was given his name by the U.S government, however his Native American Name was Spotted Elk. He was not a part of the Ghost dancing movement but most of his people were, therefore he felt responsible to lead them through the resistance against the American attempts of assimilation. Although, Big Foot was against assimilation he was a skillful diplomat and believed in a peaceful solution between the Natives and the U.S Army. When the Army came to his tribe and said to give up their guns, he gave into the demands and his tribe was forced to surrender their weapons. The exchange went wrong when crossfire broke out between the tribe and the U.S Army and Big Foot was accidentally murdered. His belief in peace and the Native American independence died with him.
Graves of Wounded Knee
The graves at Wounded Knee were brutal and they showed the true brutality that the Lakota Tribe faced. Among the dead were mostly innocent woman and children who were murdered by the U.S army. After the Big Foot deal fell through because of miscommunication, the U.S army opened fire on the people in the village. Even after members of the tribe surrendered, the Army proceeded to murder even if the targets were woman and children. The brutality faced by these people by the soldiers is unimaginable and their burials are a symbol of lack of remorse that these soldiers held. Holes were dug in the ground at the site and dead bodies of the Native Americans were thrown in with a lack of care and buried for none to see.
