Between 1927 and 1941, a workforce of 400 individuals undertook the monumental task of carving Mount Rushmore. Using chisels, jackhammers, and copious amounts of dynamite, they removed 450,000 tons of rock from a mountainside. Today, this iconic monument attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually to South Dakota’s Black Hills. However, beneath its impressive façade lies a history steeped in conflict and controversy.
For over 10,000 years, the Black Hills have been home to Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota people, who consider the area sacred. The Lakota, part of what the U.S. referred to as the Sioux Nation, believed that a cave within the Black Hills was their place of origin. They named one of the peaks the Six Grandfathers, honoring their sacred directional spirits.
In the 1800s, the Lakota faced increasing threats to their land as white settlers expanded their territories through violence and coercive treaties. The U.S. government, established in the late 1700s, ratified numerous treaties with Native American nations, often breaking them. Between 1866 and 1868, the Lakota successfully defended their territory from U.S. military forces, resulting in the 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie. This treaty recognized the Black Hills as part of the Sioux Nation, with the Lakota allowing safe passage for U.S. travelers.
Despite these agreements, the U.S. government violated the treaty just seven years later when gold was discovered in the Black Hills. Miners flooded the area, and the military eventually defeated the Lakota, leading to the illegal seizure of the land through legislation.
Fifty years after the treaty violation, workers began carving into the sacred Six Grandfathers Mountain. The project was spearheaded by Gutzon Borglum, a sculptor with ties to the Ku Klux Klan. Originally, there was a proposal to include figures like Lakota Chief Red Cloud, but Borglum chose to immortalize his own heroes. By 1941, the project was left unfinished after Borglum’s death, with none of the four presidential figures having complete torsos and rubble scattered below.
To the Lakota, Mount Rushmore represents a desecration of their sacred land. The presidents depicted on the monument, including George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt, have legacies of anti-Indigenous policies. Washington was known as “Town Destroyer” for his military campaigns against the Iroquois Confederacy, while Roosevelt advocated for forced assimilation of Native Americans.
In 1980, the Sioux Nation sued the U.S. for treaty violations, and the Supreme Court ruled that the Black Hills had been unlawfully taken. The Sioux were awarded compensation, now exceeding a billion dollars, but they refused the money, insisting that their land was never for sale.
The question of what should happen to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills remains contentious. Some, including tribal leaders and Borglum’s descendants, advocate for the monument’s removal. Others view it as a vital patriotic symbol and economic asset for South Dakota. Many Lakota people demand the return of the land as per the 1868 Treaty, while some propose co-management between the Lakota and the U.S. government.
Currently, there are no plans to alter the status quo. The U.S. has a long history of broken promises with Indigenous nations, and Native people continue to fight for treaty rights. As the debate continues, the faces on the Six Grandfathers Mountain are expected to endure for millennia, serving as a lasting reminder of this complex history.
Create an interactive timeline that highlights key events related to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Include dates, descriptions, and images where possible. This will help you visualize the sequence of historical events and understand the context of the controversies surrounding the monument.
Participate in a structured debate or role-play activity where you represent different stakeholders involved in the Mount Rushmore controversy, such as the Lakota people, U.S. government officials, and tourists. This will help you understand multiple perspectives and the complexities of historical narratives.
Conduct a research project on the history of Indigenous rights in the United States, focusing on treaties, broken promises, and legal battles. Present your findings in a multimedia format, such as a video or a digital presentation, to share with your classmates.
Analyze the symbolism of the figures carved into Mount Rushmore and compare it with the proposed inclusion of Lakota Chief Red Cloud. Create a visual or written piece that explores how art can reflect and influence historical narratives and cultural identities.
If possible, organize a field trip to a local museum or cultural center that focuses on Native American history. Alternatively, take a virtual tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Reflect on your experience and discuss how visiting these places can deepen your understanding of the issues discussed in the article.
Mount Rushmore – A monumental granite sculpture located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, featuring the faces of four U.S. presidents. – The construction of Mount Rushmore was completed in 1941 and has since become a symbol of American history and culture.
Black Hills – A mountain range in South Dakota that is sacred to the Lakota Sioux and is known for its natural beauty and historical significance. – The Black Hills are often referred to as the “Heart of Everything That Is” by the Lakota people, highlighting their deep spiritual connection to the land.
Lakota – A Native American tribe that is part of the Sioux Nation, primarily located in the northern Great Plains of the United States. – The Lakota have a rich cultural heritage and played a significant role in the history of the American West.
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more sovereign entities, often used to resolve conflicts or establish terms of peace. – The Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868 was intended to guarantee the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills, but was later violated by the U.S. government.
Indigenous – Referring to the original inhabitants of a particular region, often with a distinct culture and history. – Indigenous peoples, such as the Lakota, have faced numerous challenges in preserving their traditions and rights throughout history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, which helps us understand how societies evolve over time. – Understanding history is essential for recognizing the struggles and achievements of various cultures, including the Lakota.
Controversy – A prolonged public dispute or debate, often arising from differing opinions on a particular issue. – The construction of Mount Rushmore has been a source of controversy, especially among the Lakota, who view it as a desecration of their sacred land.
Justice – The principle of fairness and moral rightness, often associated with the legal system and the protection of individual rights. – Many Lakota activists seek justice for the historical injustices faced by their people, particularly regarding land rights.
Promises – Commitments made by one party to another, often involving an obligation to act or refrain from acting in a certain way. – The U.S. government made numerous promises to the Lakota in treaties, many of which were broken over time.
Assimilation – The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often leading to the loss of their original identity. – The forced assimilation of Native Americans, including the Lakota, into Euro-American culture has had lasting effects on their communities.
