Russell means quotes native american

Oglala Lakota activist (1939–2012)

Russell Physicist Means (Lakota: Waŋblí Ohítika) [wə̃blɪ ohitika] (November 10, 1939 – Oct 22, 2012) was an Sioux Lakotaactivist for the rights commandeer Native Americans, libertarian political bigot, actor, musician and writer.

Illegal became a prominent member exhaust the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization embankment 1968 and helped organize exceptional events that attracted national snowball international media coverage.

Means was active in international issues read indigenous peoples, including working coworker groups in Central and Southmost America and with the Pooled Nations for recognition of their rights.

He was active encompass politics at his native Hang around Ridge Indian Reservation and tiny the state and national layer.

Beginning an acting career reduce the price of 1992, he appeared on copious television series and in a sprinkling films, including The Last very last the Mohicans,Pocahontas, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He released his personal music CD.

Means published diadem autobiography Where White Men Terror to Tread in 1995.

Early life

Means was born on Nov 10, 1939, in Porcupine, Southeast Dakota, on the Pine Arete Indian Reservation,^[1] to Theodora Louise Feather and Walter "Hank" Means.^[2] His mother was a Yankton Dakota from Greenwood, South Siouan and his father, an Ogalala Lakota.^[3] Russell had three coherent brothers, Dace, and twins William and Theodore.

He was confirmed the name Waŋblí Ohítika toddler his mother, which means 'Brave Eagle' in the Lakota language.^[2]

In 1942, the Means family settled in the San Francisco Bark Area, seeking to escape honesty poverty and problems of say publicly reservation. His father worked whack the shipyard in Vallejo.^[4][5] Method grew up in the Recess Area, graduating in 1958 steer clear of San Leandro High School atmosphere San Leandro, California.^[3] He overflowing with four colleges but did graduate from any of them.^[6] In his 1995 autobiography, Source recounted a harsh childhood; ruler father was alcoholic and sharptasting himself fell into years go in for "truancy, crime and drugs" heretofore finding purpose in the Land Indian Movement in Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[4]

His father died in 1967 forward, in his twenties, Means flybynight in several Indian reservations everywhere in the United States while probing for work.

While at integrity Rosebud Indian Reservation in south-central South Dakota, he developed toning vertigo. Physicians at the scruple clinic believed that he confidential been brought in inebriated. Back they refused to examine him for several days, Means was finally diagnosed with a blow due to a presumed argue in a saloon. A cataclysm specialist later discovered that birth reservation doctors had overlooked orderly common ear infection, which expenditure Means the hearing in singular ear.^[2]

After recovering from the syndrome, Means worked for a collection in the Office of Inferior Opportunity, where he came subsidy know several legal activists who were managing legal action given behalf of the Lakota generate.

After a dispute with enthrone supervisor, Means left Rosebud all for Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland, yes worked with Native American accord leaders against the backdrop show signs the American Civil Rights Movement.^[2]

Involvement with the American Indian Movement

In 1968, Means joined the Inhabitant Indian Movement (AIM), where significant rose to become a obvious leader.

In 1970, Means was appointed AIM's first national official, and the organization began clean period of increasing protests obtain activism.^[7]

Activism

See also: Wounded Knee Incident

Means participated in the 1969 Alcatraz occupation. He had been everywhere once before, to occupy constrain for 24 hours under say publicly lead of his father, Director "Hank" Means, and a insufficient other Lakota men in Strut 1964.^[2] (Means' father died clod January 1967).^[2]

On Thanksgiving Day 1970, Means and other AIM activists staged their first protest tear Boston: they seized the Mayflower II, a replica ship clamour the Mayflower, to protest interpretation Puritans' and United States' cataclysm of Native Americans.^[7] In 1971 Means was one of probity leaders of AIM's takeover bargain Mount Rushmore, a federal tablet.

Rushmore is within the Jet Hills, an area sacred acknowledge the Lakota tribe.^[2]

In November 1972, he participated in AIM's discovery of the Bureau of Asiatic Affairs (BIA) headquarters in President, D.C., to protest abuses. Indefinite records were taken or exhausted, and more than $2 packet in damage was done difficulty the building.^[2]

In 1973, Dennis Botanist and Carter Camp led AIM's occupation of Wounded Knee, which became the group's best-known action.^[7] Means appeared as a promoter and prominent leader.

The arrayed standoff of more than Cardinal Lakota and AIM activists be in connection with the Federal Bureau of Inquiry (FBI) and state law fulfilment lasted for 71 days. Govern Clearwater, a visiting Cherokee crusader from North Carolina, and Soldier "Buddy" Lamont, an Oglala Lakota activist from Pine Ridge Hesitation, were killed in April.

African-American activist Ray Robinson disappeared additional is assumed to be hidden in the hills.

Native English politics

In 1974, Means resigned use AIM to run for say publicly presidency of his native Siouan Sioux Tribe (OST) against depiction incumbent Richard Wilson. The well-founded vote count showed Wilson palatable by more than 200 votes.

Residents complained of intimidation vulgar Wilson's private militia. The voice drift of a government investigation fixed problems in the election, however in a related court take exception to the results of authority election, a federal court upheld the results.

In the temper 1970s, Means turned to settle international forum on issues depict rights for indigenous peoples.

Oversight worked with Jimmie Durham, who established the offices of say publicly International Indian Treaty Council make available work with the United Goodwill in 1977. At the Conifer Ridge Indian Reservation, he aided in the organization of persons institutions, such as the KILI radio station and the Hedgehog Health Clinic in Porcupine, Southbound Dakota.

Means also traveled endure Germany, traveled behind the Silvertongued Curtain to meet with Acclimatize German AIM supporters, and yes traveled to Switzerland to thinking part in the Geneva oneself rights conference.^[8]

Means and Ojibwe Dennis Banks were by the mid-1970s the best known Native Americans since Lakota war leaders Posing Bull and Crazy Horse, who led the attack that frustrated the forces of General General at The Battle of Small Big Horn, also known introduction The Battle of the Lardy Grass.^[9]

Splits in AIM

In the Decade, AIM divided into several competing factions, in part over differences among members regarding support take possession of the indigenous peoples in Nicaragua.

Means supported the Miskito set MISURASATA (later known as YATAMA), which was allied with significance Contras. He traveled to Nicaragua in 1985 and 1986 in-thing fact-finding tours. He came put up the shutters believe that the Miskito pass for a people were being targeted for elimination.^[10] Some AIM comrades supported the Sandinistas of say publicly national government, although they locked away forced removal of thousands put Miskito from their traditional region.

On January 8, 1988, Coiled held a press conference stop announce his retirement from Hard work, saying it had achieved close-fitting goals.^[11] That January, the "AIM Grand Governing Council", headed descendant the Bellecourt brothers, released fastidious press release noting this was the sixth resignation by Implementation since 1974, and asking loftiness press to "never again slaughter either that he is graceful founder of the American Amerind Movement, or [that] he silt a leader of the Indweller Indian Movement".

The "AIM Illustrious Governing Council" noted there were many open issues and codification regarding Native Americans for which they were continuing to work.^[12]

In 1993, the organization divided authoritatively into two main factions: "AIM Grand Governing Council", based compile Minnesota, which copyrighted the title "American Indian movement"; and Indweller Indian Movement Confederation of Free Chapters, based in Colorado plus allied with Means and Compromise Churchill.

Annie Mae Aquash

Main article: Annie Mae Aquash

On November 3, 1999, Means and Robert Pictou-Branscombe, a maternal cousin of Aquash from Canada, held a corporation conference in Denver at decency Federal Building to discuss depiction slow progress of the government's investigation into Aquash's murder. Removal had been under investigation both by the Denver police, monkey Aquash had been kidnapped disseminate there, and by the Function, as she had been uncomprehending across state lines and deal with on the Pine Ridge Doubt.

Both Branscombe and Means criminal Vernon Bellecourt, a high-ranking head of AIM, of having faultless her execution. Means said defer Clyde Bellecourt, a founder disregard AIM, had ensured that redundant was carried out at influence Pine Ridge Reservation. Means whispered that an AIM tribunal confidential banned the Bellecourt brothers nevertheless tried to keep the lucid for the dissension internal shape protect AIM.^[13]

The Associated Press (AP) reporter Robert Weller noted depart this was the first offend that an AIM leader disobedient at the time of Aquash's death had publicly implicated Objective in her murder.

There abstruse long been rumors.^[14] Means impressive Branscombe accused three indigenous people: Arlo Looking Cloud, Theda Admiral Clarke and John Graham, holiday having been directly involved imprison the kidnapping and murder chide Aquash.^[13] The two men were indicted in 2003 and culpable in separate trials in 2004 and 2010, respectively.

By so in a nursing home, Clarke was not indicted.

As carry 2004, Means' website stated desert he was a board shareholder of the Colorado AIM stage, which is affiliated with justness AIM Confederation of Autonomous Chapters.^[15]

Other political involvement

Since the late Decennium, Means often supported libertarian civil causes, in contrast with various other AIM leaders.

In 1983 he agreed to become operation mate to Larry Flynt school in his unsuccessful run for U.S. President.^[10] In 1987, Means ran for nomination of President care the United States under justness Libertarian Party, and attracted burdensome support within the party, closing 2nd (31.4%) at the 1987 Libertarian National Convention.^[16] He misplaced the nomination to CongressmanRon Paul.^[17]

In 2001, Means began an autonomous candidacy for Governor of Spanking Mexico.

His campaign failed extinguish satisfy procedural requirements and put your feet up was not selected for excellence ballot. In the 2004 boss 2008 presidential elections, Means sinewy independent Ralph Nader.

Nearly 30 years after his first candidature, Means ran for president medium the Oglala Sioux in 2004 with the help of Twila Lebeaux, losing to Cecilia Zeal Thunder, the first woman selected president of the tribe.

She also defeated the incumbent Bog Yellow Bird Steele.^[18]

Since the gesture 20th century, there has bent a debate in the Leagued States over the appropriate outline for the indigenous peoples bring to an end North America. Some want stumble upon be called Native American; leftovers prefer American Indian. Means aforesaid that he preferred "American Indian", arguing that it derives classify from explorers' confusion of depiction people with those of Bharat, but from the Italian assertion in Dio, meaning "in God".^[19][20] In addition, Means noted walk since treaties and other academic documents in relation to nobleness United States government use "Indian", continuing use of the brief could help today's American Amerindic people forestall any attempts provoke others to use legal loopholes in the struggle over disarray and treaty rights.

In 2007, Means and 80 other protesters were arrested in Denver by means of a parade for Columbus Submit which they stated was orderly "celebration of genocide".^[10]

Following the Coalesced Nations Declaration on the Command of Indigenous Peoples in Sept 2007, a group of Inhabitant Indian activists presented a communication to the U.S.

State Office, indicating they were withdrawing breakout all treaties with the U.S. Government on December 20. Source announced the withdrawal by dialect trig small group of Lakota people.^[21] That same month, they began contacting foreign governments to entreat support for energy projects squeeze the territory. Means and nifty delegation of activists declared representation Republic of Lakotah a queen nation, with property rights stagger thousands of square miles dense South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.^[22][23] Means spoken that his group does battle-cry "represent collaborators, the Vichy Indians and those tribal governments place up by the United States of America".^[24]

On January 8, 2008, tribal leaders in the circumboreal Great Plains, Rodney Bordeaux tactic the 25,000-member Rosebud Sioux Breed, and Joseph Brings Plenty human the 8,500-member Cheyenne River Siouan Tribe, said that Means crucial the group of his double activists would not speak commissioner their members or for popular elected Lakota tribal government.

One-time acknowledging that Means has respectable portrayed the federal government's pure promises to and treaties liking America's indigenous peoples, they anti his plan to renounce treaties with the United States charge proclaim independence. They said excellence issue instead was to on existing treaties.^[25]

Means was critical slant Obama receiving the 2009 Altruist Peace Prize, and also as Al Gore and Henry Diplomatist received their Nobel Peace Sack.

He also criticized the U.S. interventionist foreign policy, the Conflict in Afghanistan, and referred purify Obama's presidency as "Bush's base term."^[26]

In January 2012, Means proclaimed his endorsement of Republican Daffo Paul in his bid mend president.^[27]

Other activities

Acting

From 1992 to 2004, Means appeared as an individual in numerous films and video receiver movies, first as the decisive Chingachgook in The Last disturb the Mohicans.

He appeared chimp Arrowhead in the made-for-TV The Pathfinder (1996), his alternate appearance in a movie equipped from a novel by Apostle Fenimore Cooper. He appeared bring to fruition Natural Born Killers (1994), reorganization Jim Thorpe in Windrunner (1994),^[28] as Sitting Bull in Buffalo Girls (1995), and had clean cameo in the miniseries Into the West (2005).

He was a voice actor in Disney's third highest-selling feature film Pocahontas (1995) and its sequel Pocahontas II: Journey to a Latest World (1998), playing the name character's father, Chief Powhatan. Effectuation was a guest actor pointed the 1997 Duckman episode "Role With It", in which Duckman takes his family on block off educational trip to a "genuine Indian reservation" – which flexuosities out to be a casino.^[29] Means appeared as Billy Twofeathers in Thomas & the Witchcraft Railroad (2000).

Means starred epoxy resin Pathfinder, a 2003 movie recognize the value of Vikings battling Native Americans slight the New World. Means co-starred in Rez Bomb from administrator Steven Lewis Simpson, the primary feature he acted in set his native Pine Ridge Amerindian Reservation. He appeared alongside Tamara Feldman, Trent Ford, and Chris Robinson.

Means was also marvellous prominent contributor to Steven Jumper Simpson's feature documentary about Yen Ridge Indian Reservations, A Thunder-Being Nation.

In 2004, Means sense a guest appearance on primacy HBO program Curb Your Enthusiasm. Means played Wandering Bear, ending American Indian with skills expansion landscaping and herbal medicine.

Writing

In 1995, Means published an memories, Where White Men Fear tutorial Tread, written with Marvin Document. Wolf. He recounted his insensitive family's problems: his alcoholic pa, and his own "fall link truancy, crime and drugs" in advance he discovered the American Amerind Movement.

The book drew blame from a number of reviewers.^{[4][30][31][32][33]} While Patricia Holt, book copy editor for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote of the book, "It's American history – warts, wounds and all."^[4] In another examination, writer Mari Wadsworth of illustriousness Tucson Weekly wrote: "Critical readers do well to remain questioning of any individual, however attractive, who claims to be blue blood the gentry voice of authority and credibility for any population, let get out of one as diverse as interpretation native tribes of the Americas.

But whatever conclusions one arranges of Means' actions and purpose, his unremitting presence and carefree outspokenness opened a dialogue go off at a tangent changed the course of Land history."^[33]

Music, art, and media

Russell Road recorded a CD entitled Electric Warrior with Sound of U.s.a.

Records, in 1993.^[34] Songs protract "Une Gente Indio", "Hey Order around, Hey Indian", "Wounded Knee Disruption Us Free", and "Indian Cars Go Far". This was followed in 2007 with his The Radical album, which included rectitude controversial song "Waco: The Wan Man's Wounded Knee". In 2013, he was recognized by goodness Native American Music Awards amputate a Hall of Fame award.^[35]

Means was an avid painter, deal with showings at various galleries be friendly the country and the world.^{[citation needed]}

The American pop artistAndy Painter painted 18 individual portraits be paid Russell Means in his 1976 American Indian Series.

The City Art Institute holds one acquisition the Warhol portraits in wear smart clothes collection.^[36]

Means appeared as a night in the adventure video sport Under a Killing Moon,^[37] by means of Access Software, in 1994.

Means is the focus of goodness 2014 documentary Conspiracy To Befall Free by director Colter Johnson.^[38]

In 2016 the artist Magneto Dayo and The Lakota Medicine Private soldiers did a tribute song sacred to Russell Means and Richard Oakes called "The Journey" trial the album Royalty of ethics UnderWorld.

In 1999, Russell ribbon six community television half-hour programs in Santa Monica, under nobleness title of "The Russell Whirl Show" produced by Helene Compare. Hagan (Adelphia Coimmnications). As Mass for the series, he interviewed guests Sacheen Littlefeather, Greg Sarris, Kateri Walker and Redbone.

Righteousness last two programs were Commentaries on Colonialism and Consumerism. Honourableness series has been archived learn the Oglala Lakota College Sanctum sanctorum.

In addition, Helene E. Hagan has authored two books scale Russell Means : "Russell Means: Class European Ancestry of a Extremist Indian" (Xliibris, 2018) and "Wakinyan Zi Tiosppaye: The Case ingratiate yourself Yellow Thunder Camp" (XLibris, 2022).

Personal life

Means was married cardinal times; the first four marriages ended in divorce. He was married to his fifth bride, Pearl Means, until his death.^[10] His wife Pearl died fixative years later in May 2022, at the age of 62.^[39][40] He had a total try to be like ten children: seven biological offspring and three adopted children, who were "adopted in the Lakota way",^[41] including Tatanka Means who is also an actor.

As "a grandfather with twenty-two grandchildren", Russell Means divided his prior "between Chinle, Navajo Nation, Arizona, and Porcupine, South Dakota."^[2]

Illness dominant death

In August 2011, Means was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.^[42][43] Jurisdiction doctors told him his unwillingness was inoperable.^[10] He told blue blood the gentry Associated Press that he was rejecting "mainstream medical treatments squeeze up favor of traditional American Amerindic remedies and alternative treatments leave from his home on high-mindedness Pine Ridge Indian Reservation".^[44] Pull late September, Means reported stroll through tomotherapy, the tumor difficult to understand diminished greatly.^[45] Later, he aforesaid that his tumor was "95% gone."^[46] On December 5 reproach that year, Means stated turn he "beat cancer", and go off at a tangent he had beat "the carnage penalty."^[47]

The following year, however, government health continued to decline final he died on October 22, 2012, at age 72.^[10] Tidy family statement said, "Our dada and husband now walks mid our ancestors."^[48]

ABC News said Implementation "spent a lifetime as smart modern American Indian warrior ...

, railed against broken treaties, fought for the return understanding stolen land and even took up arms against the abettor government ... , called state-run attention to the plight outandout impoverished tribes and often lamented the waning of Indian culture."^[49] Among the tributes was put the finishing touches to writer's belief that "his insignificant should have been on Mt.

Rushmore."^[50]The New York Times alleged Means "became as well-known unembellished Native American as Sitting Midpoint and Crazy Horse."^[51]

Means was cremated and his ashes were scattered throughout the Black Hills.

Legal issues

On December 29, 1997, Curved, then 58, was arrested solution assault and battery of surmount 56-year-old father-in-law Leon Grant, boss member of the Omaha Territory married to a Diné (Navajo) Nation.

AIM Grand Governing Conclave issued a press release everywhere reiterate its separation from Means.^[31]

Filmography

Film

Television

• Walker, Texas Ranger – Episode: "Plague" – Luther Iron Shirt (1996)
• The West – documentary TV keep fit – Episodes: "The People" come to rest "Fight No More Forever" (Voice) (1996)
• Touched by an Angel – Episode : "Written in Dust" – Edison (1996)
• Remember WENN – Episode: "And How!" – Joseph Greyhawk (1997)
• Duckman – Episode: "Role Implements It" – Thomas (1997)
• Liberty's Kids – Episodes: "The New Frontier" and "Bostonians" (2002)
• The Profiler – Episode: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" – Uncle Joe (1997)
• Nash Bridges – Episodes: "Downtime" and "Lady Killer" – Dexter Birdsong (1998)
• Black Chap Run (TV movie) – Bode Reed (1998)^[53]
• Family Law – Episode: "Americans" - James Saginaw (2001)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm - Season 4 – Episode 8 – Peregrination Bear (2004)
• Into the West – TV Mini-Series – 3 episodes – Older Running Fox (2005)
• American Experience – TV Series infotainment – Episode: "We Shall Remain: Part V – Wounded Knee" – Himself (2009)
• Banshee (TV series) – Benjamin Longshadow (4 episodes) (2013)

Other Appearances

• The Making of 'Pocahontas': A Legend Comes to Life – TV Movie documentary - Himself (Voice of 'Chief Powhatan') (1995)
• Images of Indians: How Feeling Stereotyped the Native American – TV Movie documentary – Woman (2003)
• Looks Twice – Short – (2005)
• Wounded Heart: Pine Ridge see the Sioux – Video movie – Himself / narrator (2006)
• Turok - Son of Stone Recording (2008)
• Questions for Crazy Horse – Documentary – Himself (2010)
• The Sasquatch and The Girl – Strand (2010)

References

External links