The purpose of these hearings is to investigate the events surrounding the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Washington, D.C. on November 2, and the seizure of the small Indian community of Wounded Knee, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation in March. The goal is to bring to light the facts and circumstances that have been distorted by media reports. It is not the intent of these hearings to assign blame, but rather to seek solutions to the problems that have led to these incidents.