Wounded Knee Interview - Radio From Hell X96 Sundance 09

On the night of February 27, 1973, a caravan of cars carrying 200 armed Oglala Lakota—led by American Indian Movement (AIM) activists—entered Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation and quickly occupied buildings, cut off access, and took up defensive positions. When federal agents arrived, they declared, The Indians are in charge of the town, and a 71-day standoff ensued. Compiling an astonishing amount of archival film footage (notable for the key moments it captures) and firsthand accounts from participants, Stanley Nelson creates an immersive, comprehensive account of the occupation and its fascinating complexity. The Oglala Lakota sought redress of old grievances and broken treaties (just miles from the massacre of 1890) but also demanded the ouster of Pine Ridge tribal leader Dick Wilson, who governed through corruption and intimidation as he pursued deeply divisive policies of assimilation. Nelson also explores the climate of racism in border towns; the broad political context that shaped the AIM—its tactics, organization and ability to exploit the national media; and ultimately the role armed protest played in Native American self-conception. With its iconic images of Indians holding the government at bay, Wounded Knee not only brought national attention to an invisible community and its desperate conditions but contributed to the tribe's awakened sense of dignity and connection with their proud heritage.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• wounded knee
• Stanley Nelson
• radio from hell
• x96
• kxrk
• kerry jackson
• bill allred
• sundance
• 2009
• park city
• utah
• Native American
• Pine Ridge Reservation
• salt lake city

[AdrienneAnn]

Respond to this video...

By blood we are Ojibway--but early in adulthood Gpa chose to spend his life among his Sioux brothers and sisters. Gpa spent decades collecting Sioux stories and artifacts to preserve the heritage, and share the stories in the Museum at Wounded Knee and his book. The hope was that thru education and example non-Indians would understand what happened to our tribes via the genocidal policies of the US Gov't, and we would find a way to recover through our native rituals.

[AdrienneAnn]

@AdrienneAnn It was a dark day when we were abused by our own...and then misrepresented to the media by the ones who abused us. Wounded Knee was gutted by the takeover. Families and friends torn apart and scarred by the violence perpetrated by AIM and it's supporters. The past cannot be changed, however, the truth of what took place at Wounded Knee in 1973 should be sought out and revealed from all sides, which this filmmaker did not do. It was such a disappointment...

[AdrienneAnn]

Stanley's version of the events at Wounded Knee 1973 paint a partial, heavily biased picture. I was one of the 11 hostages taken the night that AIM came into our home town. We were terrorized, bullied and threatened. I was assaulted by the guard put there to protect us. I was 12... We were sympathetic to the plight of our People, not so to the use of violence by our AIM brethren.

[jamessimon500]

Not a true account, if you believe as Nelson did, that the real story of secret murders behind the barriers and people being raped and assaulted by AIM thugs were not an essential part of the story. The cover-up continues...

[korky94]

if anyone hasnt seen it.

 it was very well done imo!