Native American groups have condemned the Pentagon’s decision to preserve military medals awarded to US soldiers involved in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre.

 

The National Congress of American Indians called the move a betrayal of truth and reconciliation, stressing that the killings of over 300 Lakota Sioux men, women, and children were war crimes, not acts of heroism.

 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the decision, citing a review panel that recommended against revoking the honours. He argued the medals “deserve” recognition and criticised past leaders for prioritising “political correctness” over “historical correctness.”

 

Native leaders say the ruling undermines decades of healing efforts. In 1990, Congress formally expressed “deep regret” for the massacre, acknowledging its devastating impact on the Sioux people. Advocates stress that keeping the medals contradicts that resolution and dismisses Indigenous suffering.

 

The decision comes amid broader Pentagon changes under Hegseth, including cutting diversity and inclusion programmes and ending commemorations such as Native American History Month. Critics note this follows earlier controversies, like the brief removal of references to Navajo Code Talkers online.

 

The Wounded Knee Massacre marked the violent end of the Indian Wars, when US forces forced Native Americans from their lands onto reservations. For tribal communities, preserving the medals represents a painful refusal to fully confront this history.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

Pentagon rejects calls to revoke medals from Wounded Knee massacre.

 

Native groups say decision blocks reconciliation and healing.

 

Move follows wider rollback of diversity efforts under current leadership.

 

Adapted From:

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/27/native-americans-condemn-pentagon-move-to-preserve-wounded-knee-medals

Why don't they ask the medal recipients what they think? 

 

Oh yeah.  They're all dead.  Long dead.

Comment removed 

 

@Tidal wave

 

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You have had several negative news comments removed recently.

 

If this continues, you may well be sanctioned by moderation.