Nearly 200 followers of the American Indian Movement (AIM) had attracted national attention when they seized control of the town of Wounded Knee for 71 days in an effort to impeach tribal president Richard Wilson, whom they had accused of widespread corruption. The organization had also called on the U.S. government to reopen treaty negotiations, and they sharply criticized U.S. leaders for failing to fulfill its treaties with the Native people.
In the midst of the protests, armed FBI and U.S. Marshals were summoned to the scene, and a shootout transpired. Several people were killed.
When Tsosie, who is of Yaqui descent, learned of the incident years later from members of the AIM, she was not only intrigued, but she was inspired.
