Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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WOUNDED KNEE, SOUTH DAKOTA - In response to the elders and women of Wounded Knee, Derek Whirlwind, the North East Regional Director of the American Indian Movement has offered assistance to help construct a community center, and assist in repairing damage that has remained there from the 1973 occupation. The offer has been enthusiastically accepted by the community of Wounded Knee, located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, and a support contingency for the volunteer work crews are being established. The projected start date, is late April early May.

"If we, (the new face of AIM) are going to profess that we are to be of service to the children and elders of any community, than we have to stand up to that committment and do whats nessassary to meet those needs of our people, talk's cheap", stated Whirlwind. The community building among others need to be constructed as well as repairs within the community have been requested and who better to do it than those who "carry on" the original purpose of AIM.

"Besides the historical events that took place at Wounded Knee, there have been several films and documentaries that have made tons of money using the location. However, no monies generated from the noteriety of the Wounded Knee name have ever made it back to this community to help the people in advancing themselves, as so many other native people in this country have been granted the ability to do so", said Ken Nadreau, Logistics Director of Northeast Regional AIM.

"As the caretakers of the Earth, as we have been for thousands of years, we return back to our original traditions to take care with respect that which our people need", added Peter Giove, Director of the Panel of Elders for North East Regional AIM. "The damage and desolution that was created by an act 30 years ago, needs to be rectified. And we, as those of the seventh generation, will give one hundred percent of our effort to solidify and unify."

"The occupation of Wounded Knee was meant to bring dignity to the native people. In my opinion it did," Whirldwind said. "But now we need to bring it full circle and clean up the negative factors that have been left unresolved for thirty years so that the good that was intended by so many will have meaning."

North East Regional AIM therefore declares a call to action and invites anyone who would like to participate in the Wounded Knee Community Restoration Project to contact us.

"We have the ability to initiate this project, and are ready to mobilize", stated Whirlwind. "The request for help has been made, now the call to action is our responsibility as a people, for our people, and we will rise to this occassion {so as to help, not burden any longer}."

The following are some of the many ways people can help;

(A) People with some knowledge in building to volunteer as labors.
(B) Donation of a bus or vans, to transport the contingency of workers to Wounded Knee.
(C) Non-parishable foods that will feed the workers for the duration of the project, "as we need to be as selfsufficient as possible."

If you have any questions or would like to help please contact us as soon as possible, as the Initial departure for "The Restoration of Wounded Knee Project" is slated between April 16 & May 16 waiting for confirmation from community leaders.