President Trump Signs Johnson’s Wounded Knee Memorial Bill into Law

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), was signed into law by President Trump.

"It has been almost 135 years to the day of the tragedy that unfolded at Wounded Knee and today, the president signed my bill into law to preserve the land where hundreds of lives were lost," said Johnson. "I am grateful the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes will be able to hold this land in perpetuity as a way to honor and memorialize the lost."

"As we approach the 135th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre, we are pleased that the United States has recognized the legacy and sacrifice of our ancestors and that it has finally pledged federal protection for our hallowed land at the massacre site," said Frank Star Comes Out, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe. "This bill is an important step in the healing process for our Lakota people."

"The President signed the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act," said Ryman LeBeau, Chairman, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. "The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and our Wounded Knee Survivor Association, acting in consultation with our Oglala Sioux relatives, believed that it was very important that our Wounded Knee Massacre Sacred Site is in the name of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe, subject to the protections of our 1868 Treaty. The House, Senate and the President have agreed, so that we may remember and honor our relatives we lost at Wounded Knee, now and in future generations. The Act and the Report also acknowledge the history of the Wounded Knee Massacre and America's Apology. On behalf of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, we say Wopila, with special thanks to Representative Johnson, Senator Rounds and Senator Thune. This is a good day for our Lakota oyáté (people)!"

After months of working in coordination with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Johnson introducedthe legislation last Congress which passed the House unanimously but was not voted on by the U.S. Senate. Johnson reintroduced the bill in January 2025 and it passed the Houselater that month. The Senate passedJohnson's legislation in December.

The Senate companion bill is led by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Wounded Knee Massacre Background:

In the late 1880s, a movement called the Ghost Dance swept across the nation. Indians believed that this dance would give stolen land back to the Indians, bringing about a renewal of Native society. Indians would join together, wearing shirts they believed would protect them from bullets, to dance for this renewal, all at the protest of the federal government.

On December 29, 1890, a group of Lakota Indians led by Chief Spotted Elk had made camp near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. There, U.S. Army 7th Calvary troops were sent to disarm the Lakota. A struggle occurred between the U.S. Army and some of Chief Spotted Elk's band - a majority of which consisted of women and children. A shot rang out, and the U.S. Army opened fire on the largely unarmed group, massacring an estimated up to 350-375 Lakota Indians. Twenty-five U.S. soldiers also died.