Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

House Bill

H.R. 165

119th Congress

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

Introduced:Dec 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dusty Johnson

R - SD

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill transfers 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to establish a permanent memorial and sacred site honoring the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, where approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed by U.S. troops. The land will be protected from commercial development and casinos, ensuring it remains a place of remembrance and cultural significance.

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

Introduced12/19/2025

StatusBecame Public Law No: 119-61.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

This bill transfers 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to establish a permanent memorial and sacred site honoring the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, where approximately 300 Lakota men, women, a

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This bill transfers 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to establish a permanent memorial and sacred site honoring the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, where approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed by U.S. troops. The land will be protected from commercial development and casinos, ensuring it remains a place of remembrance and cultural significance.

Bill Number: 165
Introduced: 12/19/2025
Status: Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Policy Area: Native Americans

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Bill Number: 165
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Introduced: 12/19/2025
Summary: This bill transfers 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to establish a permanent memorial and sacred site honoring the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, where approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed by U.S. troops.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill transfers 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to establish a permanent memorial and sacred site honoring the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, where approximately 300 Lakota men, women, and children were killed by U.S. troops. The land will be protected from commercial development and casinos, ensuring it remains a place of remembrance and cultural significance.

Last updated: 1/18/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law. The bill requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Officially recognizes the historical tragedy at Wounded Knee by transferring the massacre site to tribal ownership and protection
Creates a permanent memorial and sacred site managed jointly by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes according to their 2022 covenant
Prohibits any commercial development or gambling operations on the land, preserving its dignity as a place of mourning and reflection
Represents a significant step in acknowledging the U.S. government's historical treatment of Native Americans and supporting tribal sovereignty
Became law with bipartisan support in December 2024, demonstrating rare congressional consensus on Native American issues

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This law primarily impacts the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes by restoring control of a deeply significant historical site where their ancestors were killed. It provides a formal space for healing, cultural preservation, and education about a tragic chapter in American history. For all Americans, it offers an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the Wounded Knee Massacre while respecting Native sovereignty and supporting reconciliation efforts.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

165, 119th Congress (2025). "Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-165