Richard “Dicky” Wilson Character Analysis in Lakota Woman

Richard “Dicky” Wilson was the notoriously corrupt tribal president of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation during the Occupation of Wounded Knee. He tampered with elections, misused tribal funds, and violently eliminated opposing individuals and groups, which lead to a shockingly high murder rate on the reservation. To protest Richard Wilson’s regime, AIM and OSCRO activists occupied Wounded Knee.

Richard “Dicky” Wilson Character Timeline in Lakota Woman

The timeline below shows where the character Richard “Dicky” Wilson appears in Lakota Woman. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Unity, Inclusion, and Equality Theme Icon

Dicky Wilson, the tribal president of Pine Ridge (an Oglala Lakota reservation that borders Rosebud Indian Reservation),... (full context)

...who weren’t arrested returned to Rapid City, they received calls from OSCRO. OSCRO needed help: Wilson’s goons were attacking and killing many of his Lakota opposers. So, Mary and her fellow... (full context)

...mingled with Lakota chiefs and medicine men, all deliberating how to take a stand against Wilson and the government agents who supported him. (full context)

...and OSCRO leaders were realizing that they couldn't storm Pine Ridge—it was too well-defended by Wilson and the armed law enforcement. Suddenly, one of the older women (Mary can't remember if... (full context)

...she hitchhiked over a hundred miles to get back home. At one point, one of Wilson’s goons picked her up and tried to rape her. She escaped by leaping from the... (full context)

...brutally murdered, with the government rarely investigating these deaths. On Pine Ridge, where tribal chairman Wilson “had established a regime of terror,” the homicidal violence reached such a level that it... (full context)

Mary emphasizes how no one felt safe at this time. In addition to Wilson’s murderous goons, the FBI infiltrated AIM with spies and informers, which only added to the... (full context)