Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Biden-backed bill locks in tribal control of 40 acres at Wounded Knee as a protected memorial site
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This directs the Interior Department to finish the paperwork so about 40 acres at the Wounded Knee Massacre site in South Dakota stays owned by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
- The land would be treated as part of the Pine Ridge Reservation, meaning the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s rules and law enforcement authority apply there in many day-to-day situations.
- The land can’t be sold or transferred unless both Congress and the Tribes agree, and state or local governments can’t put property taxes on it.
- The Tribes can use the land for the memorial and sacred-site purposes they agreed to in a 2022 deal, and the federal government won’t have to approve each land use.
- Existing utility lines, easements, and service agreements stay in place, and the land can’t be used for casino-style gambling.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
State Impacts
Milestones
Became Public Law No: 119-61.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Became Public Law No: 119-61.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Signed by President.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Signed by President.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Presented to President.
Both chambers passed identical text. The President has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it.
Vote Results
1 voteOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Related News
6 articles
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial legislation passes in the Senate
Local report on Senate passage of the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, sending it to the president for signature; explains restricted-fee status and tribal ownership.
Trump Signs Wounded Knee Memorial And Sacred Site Act Into Law
Article summarizes the law’s provisions: restricted-fee status, tax exemption, tribal jurisdiction, DOI survey/legal corrections timeline, existing easements preserved, and gaming prohibition.
Trump Signs Wounded Knee Memorial And Sacred Site Act Into Law
Syndicated write-up describing the act’s restricted-fee designation for the Wounded Knee site, prohibition on sale without consent, tax exemption, tribal jurisdiction, and gaming ban.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.