Lakota Woman: Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

The white woman’s criticism of Native American women reveals the narrow-minded version of feminism that the white woman supported. Not taking into account how Native American women were still fighting for the civil and political rights that all Native Americans were deprived of, the white woman projected her goals and more privileged experience onto the Native American women. As a white person, she wasn’t subjected to racism. She already had many civil rights protected by the government because of her race. The Native American women, however, were still fighting for many rights that white women already had. By not addressing the issues that Native American women—and other women of color—faced, the white woman (and the white women’s liberation movement in general) wasn’t being inclusive of the needs and experiences of the Native American women with whom she worked. For the Native American women, their allegiance and priorities lay with AIM, not with white women; they wanted to first work with Native American men ensure that all indigenous people (both men and women) had their civil rights before they would protest against Native American men’s sexism.

Mary goes on to show how the white woman wasn’t even correct in her assumption that the roles were strictly divided by gender. While Native American women did generally complete more domestic and manual labor than Native American men, Mary says that this wasn't always the case. Some men, like Bob Free and his crew, did a lot of manual labor while some Native American women took on more military roles (which were typically performed by men).

The fact that Mary refused to leave the occupation—even while pregnant—demonstrates her dedication to AIM and OSCRO's mission at Wounded Knee. She wanted to continue to participate and do her part in making sure that the activists' occupation was as successful as possible. Additionally, by staying at Wounded Knee while pregnant, Mary challenged expectations of what women can and cannot do while pregnant; she demonstrated that pregnancy doesn't necessarily preclude women from emotionally and physically taxing endeavors like ongoing political protests. The many other women who joined Mary in refusing to leave Wounded Knee also exemplify how women take intense interest in their political environments. They, like Mary, are just as dedicated as the men are in terms of fighting for Native American civil rights.

The arrival and support of Native Americans from various tribes shows that intertribal unity aided in perpetuating the occupation. Although these Native Americans weren't all Lakota or from Pine Ridge, they knew that protesting the U.S. government's abuse and mistreatment of the Pine Ridge Lakota could perhaps lead to change that would affect them and their rights, too.

The more humorous moments of the occupation demonstrate how the protest lifted the spirits of the participating activists. While the primary goal of the occupation was to protest the mistreatment of Native Americans at the hands of the U.S. government, it was also a way for activists to know that they were doing their part in fighting back against a power that oppressed them.

There was a stark difference in resources between the U.S. government officials and the Native American activists. While the activists had only a few guns and a little ammunition, the U.S. government brought in a wave of specialty war weapons. This show of power accentuated the differences in wealth and resources that each side possessed; the U.S. government had funds to spend on technologically advanced war weapons while indigenous communities fought for more resources to be invested in their communities. But the government's weapons didn't cow the activists. They clearly believed in the importance of their protest (of the U.S.'s abuse of indigenous peoples, specifically in Pine Ridge) and so continued to hold out.

Mary takes a moment to stress the women's important role in the occupation. Dedicated to fighting for the civil rights of their people, women not only helped the siege operate but also participated in the exchanges of fire.

Annie Mae was Micmac, not Lakota, yet she still participated in the Occupation of Wounded Knee, whose original purpose was to protest the abuses of Wilson's regime against the Oglala Lakota who lived in Pine Ridge, the reservation that he presided over. Annie Mae's participation is another example of intertribal unity; she joined in AIM and OSCRO's protest to fight against the U.S. government's mistreatment of all indigenous people. Mary shows that Annie Mae's sense of solidarity and collaboration was strong—she even scolded people who weren't doing their part in ensuring that the occupation could continue.

The U.S. government's going back on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie is another example of how the Native Americans' attempts to cooperate with the U.S. government were futile, as the U.S. government only broke the Treaty and exploited the Treaty to force indigenous tribes to "agree" to terms that were not adequately explained. The implication is that trying to cooperate with an oppressing power is useless, as the oppressor will only exploit one's compromises and continue to exert its power. Meanwhile, the activists demonstrated their inclusivity by announcing that anyone could join them in holding Wounded Knee, which highlights how all people—regardless of race or gender or beliefs—can join in the fight for equal rights.

The activists had countless historic examples that showed that giving into the government's demands only results in the government getting what they want. The activists had leverage in their negotiations only so long as they continued to resist—if they maintained the occupation, the government would eventually be pressured to give in to their demands.

Again, the activists received outside support which allowed them to continue holding the occupation. Neither of the people who executed the first airdrop of food were Lakota (in other words, Wilson's tyrannical and violent regime didn't affect them), but they clearly believed in the activists' mission of resistance against a government that abused its power.

Mary reveals that two of the activists died for their ideals. Having far more resources and protective equipment, the U.S. government did not sustain any deaths. While the activists knew that victory against the powerful force of the U.S. military was not possible, they fought anyway, to hopefully ensure some political change, as well as to express their discontent and set a precedent of resistance for future generations.

Once again, the U.S. government reveals itself to be untrustworthy. In this instance, the activists received confirmation from the government officials that they would be able to get aid for a dying man, yet the officials broke their promise and fired at the nurses, preventing them from getting to Clearwater and giving him the medical attention he needed. The government officials' blocking medical aid from Clearwater illustrates their disregard of Native American lives. On top of this, the government jailed Clearwater's grieving, pregnant widow, which further emphasizes the cruelty of the U.S. government. Clearwater's death is another example of why Native Americans historically cannot trust the U.S. government to uphold its promises in negotiations.

Again, the U.S. government reveals its cruelty and callousness toward Native American lives. Government officials continued to shoot at Buddy even though he was already down, instead of getting him medical attention after he first fell (they presumably wouldn't have known that he had been killed instantly). As in Clearwater's situation, Buddy's grieving family was jailed, once again showing the government's lack of concern for the humanity of Native Americans.