Others didnt really understand the real struggles of

let the rest of the world see that they existed. Others didn’t really understand the real struggles of
Native Americans and this event brought light to that. It allowed people to see that they were
important and they could fight to get their rights if they weren’t being honored. This event also
revitalized native culture and brought Native Americans the real courage they needed to be
themselves and not give in to the pressure to “fit in” with the rest of America. Indians have
constantly had to fight for their survival and Wounded Knee brought attention to that. It gave
future generations of Indians the ability to be themselves and stay true to the traditions of their
ancestors.
Historically Indian tradition has been dampened by other modern, well-known tradition
and fallen to the back burner. Indians were taken to schools where they were taught to be like the
“white man” and ignore their own traditions. Their hair was cut and they forced to speak only

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English, facing punishment if they reverted. Also, when the government decided to assimilate the
Indians into American culture the government promised housing, help with jobs, and assistance
in schooling. The Native Americans ended up just being left alone in a big foreign city without
any sort of assistance. Indian treaties have been broken several times by the government and
were just expected to take it and never fight back. Fortunately, things have settled since then and
most reservations are left untouched and unbothered by the American government.