Trump Signs Wounded Knee Memorial And Sacred Site Act Into Law
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
President Donald Trump signed legislation Friday directing the federal government to formally protect land associated with the Wounded Knee Massacre by placing it into restricted fee status for two Sioux tribes.
The bill, H.R. 165 — known as the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act — instructs the Secretary of the Interior to complete all administrative actions necessary to ensure that approximately 40 acres of land in South Dakota are held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe .
The land is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Oglala Lakota County and is identified in the law as part of the site of the December 29, 1890, Wounded Knee Massacre. The designation applies to the surface land as well as subsurface and mineral estates.
Under restricted fee status, the land remains owned by the tribes but cannot be sold or transferred without the consent of both Congress and the tribes. The land is also exempt from state and local taxation and is placed under the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
The law requires the Interior Department to complete surveys, documentation, and legal corrections within 365 days of enactment to finalize the land’s status. Existing utility agreements, easements, and rights-of-way remain in effect.
The legislation also explicitly prohibits gaming on the land and limits its use to purposes outlined in a 2022 covenant between the two tribes, which designates the property as a memorial and sacred site.
The measure was signed into law on December 19, 2025.
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Finally - we've been working on getting this land completely protected - now, maybe this Act will do the job.
Hard to believe that Trump actually did that.
He didn't - Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD) did - see 3.1.
Finally - we've been working on getting this land completely protected - now, maybe this Act will do the job.
But its not complete yet-- it still must be re-named as The Donald Trump & Oglala Sioux Tribe & the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site.
Not cute.
[ ✘ ] The Act was initiated by SD Rep Dusty Johnson in 2023 -
AI overview -
Catholic Church: A small Catholic church was built at the site, becoming a focal point for remembrance and a gathering place for the community.
The 1973 Occupation:
AIM Activism: In 1973, the American Indian Movement (AIM) occupied Wounded Knee to protest the tribal government's corruption and demand greater self-determination, drawing national attention to Native American rights.
Symbolic Power: The occupation further cemented Wounded Knee as a powerful symbol of Indigenous resistance and ongoing struggles.
Modern Memorials & Significance:
Monuments: Today, the site features various monuments, including the Catholic Church, the Oglala Lakota College museum, and markers honoring the victims.
25 U.S. troops were killed by friendly fire - 21 U.S. troops were awarded "Medals of Honor" - including 12 cooks and bakers who were behind the lines and not involved in the actual massacre.