AP marked the 50th anniversary of the occupation at Wounded Knee by going back in time

By Patrick Sison and Steve Karnowski

Photo editor Patrick Sison and Midwest reporter Steve Karnowski led the 50th anniversary package for the occupation at Wounded Knee as a perfect example of collaboration and coordination across formats, departments and even one of AP’s members.

The end result was a beautiful collection of images and text that gave viewers and readers a sense of time, and cemented AP’s place as the chronicler of the history of the 1973 takeover of the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The 71-day occupation by militant Native Americans was meant to promote their demands for better treatment.