To mark occupation, Indians gather at Mount Rushmore

American Indians gathered at Mount Rushmore to mark the 40th anniversary of an occupation of the monument.

On Aug. 29, 1970, 23 Native Americans occupied the monument, some of them setting up camp for three months. Those who gathered Sunday say some of the same issues involving tribal sovereignty and treaty rights remain today.

The U.S. government more than a century ago set aside the Black Hills for the Sioux tribe through the Fort Laramie Treaty. But the land was taken by miners about a decade later when gold was discovered.

The Supreme Court in 1980 ruled that the Black Hills were illegally taken and that restitution should be paid. The Sioux refused the settlement.

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Quanah Parker Brightman, vice president of United Native Americans, says the Sioux nation will never accept money for sacred sites.

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Information from: KOTA-TV

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