Dick Wilson (tribal chairman)

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Richard A. Wilson (April 29, 1934 – January 31, 1990) was the chairman (also called president) of the Oglala Lakota of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He served from 1972 to 1976, following re-election in 1974. Following complaints about his favoring friends and family in award of jobs and suppressing political opponents with his private militia, Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs), members of the tribal council brought impeachment charges against him in February 1973. The prosecution was unprepared when Wilson said he was ready to go to trial, and the proceedings closed without completing the impeachment trial. No impeachment proceedings were renewed. Several hundred Lakota people marched in protest, demanding the removal of Wilson from office. US Marshals were assigned to protect Wilson and his family. American Indian Movement (AIM) and Lakota supporters occupied the town of Wounded Knee, and a 71-day armed siege resulted, known as the Wounded Knee Occupation. Two...

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