The air crackles with history, thick with the weight of memory. This is the story, a firsthand account, from Carter Camp, a Ponca warrior, reflecting on the events of Wounded Knee in 1973. It’s a tale woven with honor, prayer, and the fierce determination to reclaim a sacred space scarred by injustice. A True and Honorable Story from a Wounded Knee Warrior is a personal narrative, a glimpse into the heart of a movement and the spirit of a people.
The recollection begins with a sense of profound significance. The day is marked not only by the culmination of a journey for the Yellowstone Buffalo but also by the anniversary of a pivotal moment: the liberation of Wounded Knee. Camp recounts being entrusted, by the Oglala Chiefs, with leading a special squad of warriors to secure Wounded Knee in advance of the larger American Indian Movement (AIM) caravan. This operation, shrouded in secrecy, was undertaken under the guise of a meeting or wacipi (celebration) in Porcupine, a route that passed directly through Wounded Knee.
The element of surprise was crucial. The people were told they were headed to a social gathering, unaware of the true purpose of the journey. Upon arriving at the Wounded Knee Trading Post, they found that Camp and his team had already established a perimeter, effectively seizing control of the area. Eleven hostages had been taken, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police officers had been driven out, and the majority of the telephone lines had been severed. This marked the beginning of a 73-day occupation, a period described by Camp as the "best, most free time of my life."
The honor of being selected for this initial mission resonates deeply with Camp, even decades later. The gravity of the situation was palpable. The night was cold and dark, illuminated only by faint moonlight. As they drove the back roads from Oglala toward Wounded Knee, a sense of nervous anticipation filled the air. The chiefs had given them a task, a sacred duty, and they were committed to succeeding. Yet, questions lingered: Were they truly prepared for what lay ahead?
The landscape surrounding Pine Ridge had been heavily fortified by federal forces – the FBI, BIA, and U.S. Marshals. Machine gun bunkers and armored personnel carriers (APCs) equipped with M-60 machine guns were strategically positioned. The "goon squad," a term used to describe vigilante groups often associated with the tribal government, had unleashed a reign of terror upon the people. The warriors knew they had to fight, but not on the terms dictated by the wasicu (a Lakota term for white people).
Their arsenal was limited, relying heavily on the weapons and ammunition that might be found within the Wounded Knee Trading Post. Camp worried whether they would be able to secure these resources before the inevitable confrontation erupted. As they silently approached the hamlet in the darkness, he attempted to anticipate the opposition they would face and devise strategies to neutralize it. The tension was almost unbearable.
A True and Honorable Story from a Wounded Knee Warrior acknowledges the profound spiritual significance of their destination. They were approaching a sacred ground, a place etched in the collective memory of the Lakota people. Each warrior felt it deep within their soul. This was more than just a strategic operation; it was a return to a place of immense historical and spiritual importance.
As the leader of this band of warriors, Camp offered a humble prayer to Wakonda, the Great Spirit, seeking protection for his comrades and the wisdom to act justly. He had never offered tobacco with such fervent sincerity, nor donned his feathers with such profound purpose. This moment, he writes, marked the birth of the Independent Oglala Nation, a declaration of self-determination and resistance.
The initial phase of the operation unfolded successfully. They accomplished their objectives without any loss of life. But the weight of history remained. As they waited in the cold darkness for Dennis Banks and Russell Means to lead the main caravan, or for the anticipated conflict to begin, Camp stood on the bank of the shallow ravine where the massacre of 1890 had occurred. It was there, on that hallowed ground, that hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children had been brutally murdered by the U.S. 7th Cavalry.
He prayed for the defenseless victims of that horrific event, those torn apart by Hotchkiss cannons and trampled under the hooves of soldiers’ horses. He could feel the presence of their spirits as he quietly entered the gully, standing in silent communion with the past, awaiting the unfolding of his own future. This connection to the past fueled his resolve.
He bent down and picked a sprig of sage, a sacred herb whose ancestors had been nourished by the blood of the innocent victims of the massacre. He described how babies were ripped from their mothers’ dying grasp and bayoneted by the "evil ones." As he cleansed himself with the sage, he felt a surge of cold determination, his fear washed away by the weight of history and the strength of his convictions.
In the darkness, he looked for the spirits of Big Foot, the Lakota chief who had led his people to Wounded Knee in search of peace, and Yellow Bird, the medicine man whose presence was meant to offer spiritual guidance. And then, he spoke aloud, a declaration to the spirits of the ancestors: "We are back my relations, we are home." This simple statement encapsulated the profound significance of their actions: a reclaiming of their heritage, a defiance against oppression, and a promise to honor the memory of those who had come before.
The account ends with the Lakota war cry, "Hoka-Hey," a call to action and a statement of unwavering commitment. It’s followed by Carter Camp’s name, his tribal affiliation – Ponca Nation – and his connection to the American Indian Movement (AIM). The final line is a fervent plea: "FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!! NOW!!!" This underscores the ongoing struggle for justice and the continued fight for the rights of Indigenous peoples. Peltier, an AIM activist, was convicted of the 1975 shooting deaths of two FBI agents, a case that remains highly controversial and a symbol of what many believe to be systemic injustice against Native Americans.
A True and Honorable Story from a Wounded Knee Warrior serves as a powerful reminder of the events of 1973, a critical moment in the history of Native American activism. It’s a personal account, filled with emotion and reflection, that offers valuable insight into the motivations and experiences of those who participated in the Wounded Knee occupation. It’s a story of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people determined to reclaim their past and shape their own future.
The narrative also highlights the deep spiritual connection to the land and the importance of honoring the ancestors. The massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 remains a potent symbol of the injustices suffered by Native Americans, and the 1973 occupation was, in part, an attempt to heal those wounds and reclaim that sacred space.
A True and Honorable Story from a Wounded Knee Warrior is more than just a historical account; it’s a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination. It’s a story that deserves to be remembered and shared.