The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when U.S. Army troops opened fire on a group of Lakota Ghost Dancers at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of up to 300 Native Americans, including women and children, marking a devastating chapter in U.S. history. The massacre symbolized the violent suppression of Native American culture and resistance, leading to a broader recognition of the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in the United States.

The Wounded Knee Massacre marked a profound cultural loss for Indigenous peoples, inspiring poets like Joy Harjo and Simon Ortiz to address themes of resistance and identity. This tragic event catalyzed a body of 20th-century poetry that mourned cultural erasure while celebrating resilience and survival.