The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie
A landmark agreement between the United States and the Lakota Sioux, the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation, until gold was discovered.
In 1868, the United States government and representatives of the Lakota Sioux and other Plains nations signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie. This treaty established the Great Sioux Reservation, including the Black Hills (Paha Sapa), as exclusive Native American territory. The agreement was meant to bring peace to the region after years of conflict.
However, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in the 1870s led to a rush of miners and settlers, violating the treaty's terms. The U.S. government ultimately seized the land, leading to decades of legal battles and ongoing efforts by the Lakota to reclaim their sacred homeland.
The 1868 Treaty remains a powerful symbol of broken promises and the resilience of Native nations. Today, the Black Hills are still at the heart of Lakota identity and activism.
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