In 1889, Chief Si Tanka and his band of Mineconjou Sioux become interested in the Ghost Dance religion. They hope Ghost Dancing will hasten the return of the buffalo and resurrect their dead loved ones. Fearing this new religion will encourage the Sioux to rise up against the United States, the Government enlists the help of the Army to suppress the movement.

In mid-December 1890, approximately 80 Lakota Sioux, followers of recently killed Sitting Bull, join Si Tanka and his band. Si Tanka (who was also known as Spotted Elk or Big Foot) leads them all to Wounded Knee Creek.

On December 29, 1890, the reorganized 7th Cavalry surrounds the native camp and begins to take away what few arms the people have. Someone fires a shot, prompting the soldiers to open fire. When the gunfire stops about 200 Sioux (some claim as many as 300)-- mostly women, children, and elders, are dead. In the confusion, 25 American soldiers also die, most likely by their own fire.

On January 2, 1891, the frozen bodies of the native Americans are photographed and then unceremoniously dumped into a mass grave. Eighteen U.S. cavalrymen eventually receive Medals of Honor for their actions at Wounded Knee.

The American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded in 1968. Its purpose is to encourage self-determination for native peoples and to establish international recognition of their treaty rights. For 19 months, from 1969 to 1971, native activists occupy Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay. They argue the First Nations have never ceded the island to the United States. In 1972, AIM and other native activists occupy the Bureau of Indian Affairs for six days. Their goal-- to let native Americans have control over their own affairs.

In spring, 1973, AIM activists occupy Wounded Knee for 70 days. They agree to leave on May 4. The leaders of the occupation go to trial but the case is dismissed on the grounds of misconduct by the prosecution. Like the massacre 83 years earlier, the 1973 occupation draws attention to native issues that the press and the general public have previously ignored.