Rounds’ Legislation to Preserve Wounded Knee Massacre Grounds Unanimously Passes Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today issued a statement following unanimous committee passage of his legislation, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act. Rounds’ bill, introduced in January 2025, would place 40 acres of land at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre into restricted fee status, making certain that the land is held by both the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes for generations to come.

“I am pleased that the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act has unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs,” said Rounds. “The Wounded Knee Massacre represents a devastating low point in U.S.-Lakota relations and one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. Thank you to my colleagues on the committee for agreeing that the land at this symbolic and somber site should be held in possession of both tribes to be honored and preserved for future generations.”

The Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Click HERE to read full bill text.

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