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Protects Wounded Knee Sacred Site
Recent Bills/Protects Wounded Knee Sacred Site

Protects Wounded Knee Sacred Site

IntroducedJanuary 3, 2025
Became Law9 months ago
Intro
House
Senate
Pres
Became Public Law No: 119-61.
Native AmericansFederal-Indian relationsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersSouth DakotaState and local taxation
More:Bills That Became LawGovernmentHouse Bills
Why This Matters

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to secure the Wounded Knee site as protected land for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

If you are part of the Oglala Sioux or Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes, this bill secures 40 acres of your sacred land at Wounded Knee.
Who this affects
Oglala Sioux Tribe · Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe · local community in South Dakota
What changes is this bill making?
  1. 1The bill ensures that approximately 40 acres of land at Wounded Knee remains under the control of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
  2. 2It prevents the land from being taxed by state or local governments.
  3. 3The Secretary of the Interior must complete necessary actions to secure this land's status within one year.
  4. 4The land cannot be used for gaming activities as defined by federal law.
  5. 5Any agreements or utility rights affecting the land will be honored.
Read the detailed summary

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act This act 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 act 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.

Read full document
Bill Progress4 of 4
Bills must pass the House, Senate, and be signed by the President to become law.
Intro
House
Senate
Pres
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Sponsors
See all 8 sponsors
HouseJan 22, 2025
House Vote
Yes 416No 0Not Voting 16
See How Everyone Voted
SenateDec 11, 2025
PresidentDec 19, 2025

Became Public Law

The President

Donald Trump
President
Became Law
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