President Trump has signed the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act into law, legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, according to KXLG. The law places 40 acres at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre into restricted fee status to be held jointly by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Rounds said the legislation ensures the land will be preserved for future generations and allows the history of Wounded Knee to continue to be told. The bill was first introduced in June 2023 and later reintroduced in January 2025. It passed unanimously in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and cleared the full Senate on Dec. 11, according to KXLG. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau and Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out previously testified in support of the bill.
- 1.KXLG.
Help us keep the fire burning, make a donation to Buffalo’s Fire
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to illuminate tribal government for everyone who cares about transparency in Native issues. Our work bridges the gap left by tribal-controlled media and non-Native, extractive journalism, providing the insights necessary for truly informed decision-making and a better quality of life. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise.
Every gift helps keep the fire burning. A monthly contribution makes the biggest impact. Cancel anytime.
