2013 Photo Contest, Contemporary Issues, 3rd prize

In the Shadow of Wounded Knee

Photographer

Aaron Huey

for National Geographic magazine

14 June, 2012

The Oglala Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota live near the site of the massacre of over 250 Lakota Sioux, at Wounded Knee Creek (1890). They recount a long history of violated treaties and broken promises on the part of successive US governments.

About the photographer

Aaron Huey

Aaron Huey is a National Geographic photographer, and a Harper’s Magazine contributing editor. He is only the second photographer to occupy the Harper’s masthead in its 162-year ...

Background story

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Oglala, South Dakota, USA

Lyle Le Beaux, of the traditionally minded Thunder Valley community of Oglala Lakota, bears scars on his chest that come from sacred piercings, made during sun dance ceremonies. Participants hang from the sun dance tree until their skin breaks. This symbolic death transports them into visions, and is used to heal the community.

 

The Oglala Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota live near the site of the massacre of over 250 Lakota Sioux, at Wounded Knee Creek (1890). They recount a long history of violated treaties and broken promises on the part of successive US governments. Pine Ridge is seeing an upsurge in resistance movements, and a revival of traditional spiritual ways. The sun dance has returned, after nearly disappearing, and people are teaching language, horse skills, and ceremonies to the youth.

Technical information

Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

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