Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Sponsored By: Senator Mike Rounds
In Committee
Summary
Restores tribal control and protection of the Wounded Knee sacred site. This bill would create a new "restricted fee" land status to place about 40 acres on the Pine Ridge Reservation under joint control of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and it would require the Secretary of the Interior to complete necessary actions within 365 days.
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- Tribal communities: The two Tribes would keep ownership and local jurisdiction over the defined parcel and could set land use without federal review barriers, subject to the October 21, 2022 Covenant.
- Federal law and protections: The land would remain subject to federal Indian country laws (18 U.S.C. 1151) and to protections against alienation (25 U.S.C. 177).
- Local rights and uses: Existing easements, rights-of-way, encumbrances, and utility agreements in effect at enactment would remain in force, and the bill explicitly bars gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Tribal control of Wounded Knee land
If enacted, a defined 40-acre parcel at Wounded Knee would be held by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux in restricted fee status, including surface and mineral rights. It would be part of the Pine Ridge Reservation under Oglala Sioux civil and criminal jurisdiction, and not taxed by the state or county. Any transfer would need both the Tribes and Congress to agree. Uses would follow the October 21, 2022 Covenant; no gaming would be allowed; federal Indian country protections would still apply. For Covenant-allowed uses, the Tribes would not need extra federal approval.
Easements stay; finish transfer in 1 year
If enacted, recorded easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and utility agreements already in place would keep applying to the parcel. The Secretary of the Interior would have up to 365 days after enactment to finish paperwork, including minor survey fixes, to place the land in restricted fee status and assign utility and service rights. This would speed final steps while keeping current access for easement and utility holders.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
SD • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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