The taking of Native lands to allow for U.S. expansion, and the subsequent forced assimilation attempts were part of a process called Settler Colonialism. This process seeks to replace indigenous populations and cultures with those of the conquering nation. Once conquered, the dominant society then seeks to replace Native narratives about history, culture, and justice, with their own narrative. Part of this process is the erection of monuments designed to glorify the history and culture of the dominant society, and justify the process of conquest. To learn more about the Settler Colonial process, and the history of the Black Hills and Native Americans please see the following resources.

1)   A short article explaining Settler Colonialism. https://globalsocialtheory.org/concepts/settler-colonialism/
2)   Patrick Wolfe on Settler Colonialism https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14623520601056240
3)   Short video on why the Lakota are refusing the money for the Black Hills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObabZdcEXh4
4)   Sacred Hills: Discovering the Lakota Prophecy Hidden in the Black Hills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTqwOz0_FWA

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