Ep 5. Wounded Knee

In season 1 episode 5 of American Experience: We Shall Remain, titled "Wounded Knee," viewers are taken back to December of 1890 in South Dakota. The episode focuses on the events leading up to the massacre at Wounded Knee, which is considered by many to be the final clash between the United States government and Native American tribes in the West.

The episode begins by providing historical context, including the harsh treatment of Native Americans by the US government and the rise of the Ghost Dance movement among various tribes. The Ghost Dance was a religious movement that spread through many Native American tribes and was seen by the US government as a threat to their control over the tribes.

As tensions between the government and Native American tribes in the area increased, the US Army was sent to the region to disarm the Lakota Sioux. The army surrounded a camp of Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890. The Lakota Sioux were ordered to surrender their weapons, but a scuffle broke out and shots were fired, leading to a chaotic and devastating massacre.

The episode includes interviews with historians and Native American activists, as well as archival photographs, newspaper clippings, and other historical documents. Viewers are given a visceral and emotional understanding of the events at Wounded Knee and the impact they had on Native American communities throughout the country.

The episode also explores the aftermath of the massacre, including the government's attempts to justify their actions and the continued resistance and resilience of the Lakota Sioux and other Native American tribes. Viewers are left with a deeper understanding of the complex and tragic history of Native American relations with the US government and the ongoing efforts to heal and redress the injustices of the past.

Overall, "Wounded Knee" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of American Experience: We Shall Remain that offers an important and often overlooked perspective on American history. Through a combination of expert analysis, firsthand accounts, and archival materials, the episode illuminates the devastating impact of colonialism and violence on Native American communities and highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.