WOUNDED KNEE, S.D. (AP) - Hundreds of people from around the world are expected to descend on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on Thursday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of 71-day occupation in the tiny village of Wounded Knee.
In 1973, about 200 members of the American Indian Movement and their supporters huddled in houses, some with guns, to protest alleged corruption within the tribal government.
It was the same site where 80 years before soldiers from the 7th Cavalry slaughtered an estimated 300 Native American men, women and children.
During the occupation, two Native Americans were killed, an activist went missing and a federal agent was wounded.
This year's anniversary will be marked by ceremonies and prayers at the site of the occupation.
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