Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

# Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** This law directs the federal government to transfer approximately 40 acres of land in South Dakota to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The land will be placed in "restricted fee" status, meaning the tribes own it but cannot sell or lease it without federal approval. The site will be preserved as a memorial and sacred place commemorating the Wounded Knee Massacre, a historical tragedy that occurred in 1890.

Commercial development and gambling operations are prohibited on the land. **Who It Affects:** The primary beneficiaries are the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, who gain ownership and control of the land for memorial and spiritual purposes. The bill honors Native American history and provides these tribes with a sacred site to preserve their cultural heritage. **Current Status:** The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official legislation. It was sponsored by Representative Dusty Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota, and received bipartisan support.