Attorney General Lays Wreath at Wounded Knee Memorial

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Wreath Laying

WOUNDED KNEE, SOUTH DAKOTA - On Thursday, US Attorney General Eric Holder Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota to have a robust government-to-government discussion with administration officials and tribal leaders on matters of tribal safety and domestic violence.

While he was on the reservation, he went to Wounded Knee and participated in a special wreath laying ceremony at Wounded Knee. "Today, this commitment lives on - and it has been renewed, and strengthened, by this Administration," said Attorney General Holder.

He continued: "It is a profound honor to be in Pine Ridge, and to bring greetings from the President, and from my colleagues at the Department of Justice. It is a privilege to join with you all today - not only to remember the past, and the loss we commemorate on this site - but to plan for the future we seek, and - together - must build. This is a sacred place - one hallowed by the tragic events that occurred here more than 120 years ago - but also defined by the resolve, the healing, and the courage it has come to represent in the decades since. Today, it's my honor to lay this wreath on his behalf - and on behalf of all those who have struggled, and who continue to fight, to ensure peace, safety, opportunity, and justice on tribal lands."

Joining the Attorney General was President John Yellow Bird Steele of the Oglala Sioux Tribe

Nearly half a century ago, following his tenure as Attorney General, Robert Kennedy also traveled to Pine Ridge to signal the US government's commitment to ensuring peace, security, opportunity, justice on tribal lands. President Bill Clinton returned to the site in 1999.

Near the wreath laying ceremony were a few protesters who want Leonard Peltier released from prison. Peltier has been imprisoned for the past 35 years after being convicted of killing two FBI agents. Many American Indians across the country consider Peltier a political prisoner.

posted July 30, 2011 7:30 am edt