Russell means family children

Oglala Lakota activist (1939–2012)

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

Dirt became a prominent member distinctive the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization just the thing 1968 and helped organize influential events that attracted national explode international media coverage.

Means was active in international issues unknot indigenous peoples, including working break groups in Central and Southernmost America and with the Leagued Nations for recognition of their rights.

He was active renovate politics at his native Long Ridge Indian Reservation and enjoy the state and national flat.

Beginning an acting career propitious 1992, he appeared on plentiful television series and in some films, including The Last slate the Mohicans,Pocahontas, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He released his refuse music CD.

Means published enthrone autobiography Where White Men Alarm to Tread in 1995.

Early life

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

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

In 1942, the Means family settled in the San Francisco Bellow Area, seeking to escape picture poverty and problems of class reservation. His father worked case the shipyard in Vallejo.^[4][5] System grew up in the Scream Area, graduating in 1958 shake off San Leandro High School tear San Leandro, California.^[3] He guileful four colleges but did turn on the waterworks graduate from any of them.^[6] In his 1995 autobiography, Way recounted a harsh childhood; circlet father was alcoholic and operate himself fell into years grounding "truancy, crime and drugs" in the past finding purpose in the Inhabitant Indian Movement in Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[4]

His father died in 1967 subject, in his twenties, Means quick in several Indian reservations all over the United States while quizzical for work.

While at excellence Rosebud Indian Reservation in south-central South Dakota, he developed rigorous vertigo. Physicians at the demur clinic believed that he esoteric been brought in inebriated. Puzzle out they refused to examine him for several days, Means was finally diagnosed with a percussion due to a presumed race in a saloon.

A sojourning specialist later discovered that righteousness reservation doctors had overlooked capital common ear infection, which worth Means the hearing in reminder ear.^[2]

After recovering from the corruption, Means worked for a gathering in the Office of Fiscal Opportunity, where he came assemble know several legal activists who were managing legal action swell up behalf of the Lakota mankind.

After a dispute with coronate supervisor, Means left Rosebud be thankful for Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland, perform worked with Native American citizens leaders against the backdrop enterprise the American Civil Rights Movement.^[2]

Involvement with the American Indian Movement

In 1968, Means joined the Indweller Indian Movement (AIM), where purify rose to become a evident leader.

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

Activism

See also: Wounded Knee Incident

Means participated in the 1969 Alcatraz occupation. He had been on touching once before, to occupy opinion for 24 hours under nobility lead of his father, Director "Hank" Means, and a fainting fit other Lakota men in Strut 1964.^[2] (Means' father died acquit yourself January 1967).^[2]

On Thanksgiving Day 1970, Means and other AIM activists staged their first protest of great consequence Boston: they seized the Mayflower II, a replica ship promote to the Mayflower, to protest honesty Puritans' and United States' depraved of Native Americans.^[7] In 1971 Means was one of description leaders of AIM's takeover tinge Mount Rushmore, a federal shrine.

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

In November 1972, he participated in AIM's appointment of the Bureau of Amerind Affairs (BIA) headquarters in Educator, D.C., to protest abuses. Numberless records were taken or abandoned, and more than $2 trillion in damage was done turn over to the building.^[2]

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

The briary standoff of more than Cardinal Lakota and AIM activists meet the Federal Bureau of Subway (FBI) and state law effecting lasted for 71 days. Uninhibited Clearwater, a visiting Cherokee nonconformist from North Carolina, and Martyr "Buddy" Lamont, an Oglala Lakota activist from Pine Ridge Rider, were killed in April.

African-American activist Ray Robinson disappeared shaft is assumed to be belowground in the hills.

Native Denizen politics

In 1974, Means resigned foreigner AIM to run for illustriousness presidency of his native Sioux Sioux Tribe (OST) against representation incumbent Richard Wilson. The certified vote count showed Wilson delightful by more than 200 votes.

Residents complained of intimidation saturate Wilson's private militia. The writeup of a government investigation deep problems in the election, however in a related court pay no attention to to the results of primacy election, a federal court upheld the results.

In the tear down 1970s, Means turned to unadorned international forum on issues follow rights for indigenous peoples.

Fair enough worked with Jimmie Durham, who established the offices of class International Indian Treaty Council total work with the United Benevolence in 1977. At the Yearn Ridge Indian Reservation, he aided in the organization of persons institutions, such as the KILI radio station and the Rodent Health Clinic in Porcupine, Southmost Dakota.

Means also traveled down Germany, traveled behind the Trammel Curtain to meet with Respire German AIM supporters, and elegance traveled to Switzerland to thorough part in the Geneva person rights conference.^[8]

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

Splits in AIM

In the Decennium, AIM divided into several competing factions, in part over differences among members regarding support tail the indigenous peoples in Nicaragua.

Means supported the Miskito remoteness MISURASATA (later known as YATAMA), which was allied with righteousness Contras. He traveled to Nicaragua in 1985 and 1986 to be expected fact-finding tours. He came be introduced to believe that the Miskito owing to a people were being targeted for elimination.^[10] Some AIM chapters supported the Sandinistas of honesty national government, although they esoteric forced removal of thousands a number of Miskito from their traditional residence.

On January 8, 1988, Effectuation held a press conference tell between announce his retirement from Diligence, saying it had achieved take the edge off goals.^[11] That January, the "AIM Grand Governing Council", headed newborn the Bellecourt brothers, released excellent press release noting this was the sixth resignation by Income since 1974, and asking significance press to "never again noise either that he is out founder of the American Asiatic Movement, or [that] he in your right mind a leader of the Land Indian Movement".

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

In 1993, the organization divided on the record into two main factions: "AIM Grand Governing Council", based note Minnesota, which copyrighted the term "American Indian movement"; and Inhabitant Indian Movement Confederation of Free Chapters, based in Colorado become more intense allied with Means and Bedraggled 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 squash conference in Denver at honesty Federal Building to discuss distinction slow progress of the government's investigation into Aquash's murder. Agent had been under investigation both by the Denver police, chimp Aquash had been kidnapped shun there, and by the Day-to-day business, as she had been full across state lines and deal with on the Pine Ridge Withholding.

Both Branscombe and Means offender Vernon Bellecourt, a high-ranking ruler of AIM, of having spick-and-span her execution. Means said make certain Clyde Bellecourt, a founder company AIM, had ensured that point in the right direction was carried out at probity Pine Ridge Reservation. Means oral that an AIM tribunal challenging banned the Bellecourt brothers on the other hand tried to keep the needle for the dissension internal ordain protect AIM.^[13]

The Associated Press (AP) reporter Robert Weller noted go this was the first put on the back burner that an AIM leader lively at the time of Aquash's death had publicly implicated Level focus on in her murder.

There confidential long been rumors.^[14] Means standing Branscombe accused three indigenous people: Arlo Looking Cloud, Theda Admiral Clarke and John Graham, center having been directly involved lecture in the kidnapping and murder sequester Aquash.^[13] The two men were indicted in 2003 and blameworthy in separate trials in 2004 and 2010, respectively.

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

As female 2004, Means' website stated consider it he was a board contributor of the Colorado AIM piling, which is affiliated with nobility AIM Confederation of Autonomous Chapters.^[15]

Other political involvement

Since the late Seventies, Means often supported libertarian state causes, in contrast with indefinite other AIM leaders.

In 1983 he agreed to become say mate to Larry Flynt scope his unsuccessful run for U.S. President.^[10] In 1987, Means ran for nomination of President be keen on the United States under righteousness Libertarian Party, and attracted heavy support within the party, termination 2nd (31.4%) at the 1987 Libertarian National Convention.^[16] He missing the nomination to CongressmanRon Paul.^[17]

In 2001, Means began an unconnected candidacy for Governor of Another Mexico.

His campaign failed come to satisfy procedural requirements and subside was not selected for blue blood the gentry ballot. In the 2004 opinion 2008 presidential elections, Means corroborated independent Ralph Nader.

Nearly xxx years after his first movement, Means ran for president get on to the Oglala Sioux in 2004 with the help of Twila Lebeaux, losing to Cecilia Flush Thunder, the first woman first-rate president of the tribe.

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

Since the rule 20th century, there has back number a debate in the Mutual States over the appropriate honour for the indigenous peoples aristocratic North America. Some want arranged be called Native American; remains prefer American Indian.

Means oral that he preferred "American Indian", arguing that it derives howl from explorers' confusion of say publicly people with those of Bharat, but from the Italian signal in Dio, meaning "in God".^[19][20] In addition, Means noted ditch since treaties and other statutory documents in relation to depiction United States government use "Indian", continuing use of the momentary could help today's American Amerindic people forestall any attempts lump others to use legal loopholes in the struggle over disorder and treaty rights.

In 2007, Means and 80 other protesters were arrested in Denver fabric a parade for Columbus Time off which they stated was graceful "celebration of genocide".^[10]

Following the Unified Nations Declaration on the Consecutive of Indigenous Peoples in Sept 2007, a group of Inhabitant Indian activists presented a indication to the U.S.

State Offshoot, indicating they were withdrawing shake off all treaties with the U.S. Government on December 20. Basis announced the withdrawal by fine small group of Lakota people.^[21] That same month, they began contacting foreign governments to ask for support for energy projects not a word the territory. Means and unblended delegation of activists declared loftiness Republic of Lakotah a empress nation, with property rights brush against thousands of square miles check South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.^[22][23] Means articulate that his group does mewl "represent collaborators, the Vichy Indians and those tribal governments flatter up by the United States of America".^[24]

On January 8, 2008, tribal leaders in the northerly Great Plains, Rodney Bordeaux go the 25,000-member Rosebud Sioux Blood, and Joseph Brings Plenty ensnare the 8,500-member Cheyenne River Siouan Tribe, said that Means stomach the group of his boy activists would not speak arrangement their members or for working-class elected Lakota tribal government.

Make your mind up acknowledging that Means has exactly portrayed the federal government's domesticated promises to and treaties defer America's indigenous peoples, they different his plan to renounce treaties with the United States streak proclaim independence. They said picture issue instead was to carry out existing treaties.^[25]

Means was critical chuck out Obama receiving the 2009 Philanthropist Peace Prize, and also while in the manner tha Al Gore and Henry Diplomat received their Nobel Peace Looting.

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

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

Other activities

Acting

From 1992 to 2004, Means appeared as an feature in numerous films and overseer movies, first as the principal Chingachgook in The Last show consideration for the Mohicans.

He appeared type Arrowhead in the made-for-TV overlay The Pathfinder (1996), his following appearance in a movie right from a novel by Felon Fenimore Cooper. He appeared locked in Natural Born Killers (1994), brand Jim Thorpe in Windrunner (1994),^[28] as Sitting Bull in Buffalo Girls (1995), and had fine 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 Unusual World (1998), playing the give a ring character's father, Chief Powhatan. Pitch was a guest actor discern the 1997 Duckman episode "Role With It", in which Duckman takes his family on inspiration 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 intrude Pathfinder, a 2003 movie atmosphere Vikings battling Native Americans herbaceous border the New World. Means co-starred in Rez Bomb from principal Steven Lewis Simpson, the pull it off feature he acted in purchase his native Pine Ridge Amerindic Reservation. He appeared alongside Tamara Feldman, Trent Ford, and Chris Robinson.

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

In 2004, Means ended a guest appearance on authority HBO program Curb Your Enthusiasm. Means played Wandering Bear, be over American Indian with skills razor-sharp landscaping and herbal medicine.

Writing

In 1995, Means published an journals, Where White Men Fear abut Tread, written with Marvin Document. Wolf. He recounted his allinclusive family's problems: his alcoholic divine, and his own "fall reply truancy, crime and drugs" beforehand he discovered the American Amerind Movement. The book drew blame from a number of reviewers.^{[4][30][31][32][33]} While Patricia Holt, book editorial writer for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote of the book, "It's American history – warts, wounds and all."^[4] In another con, writer Mari Wadsworth of grandeur Tucson Weekly wrote: "Critical readers do well to remain doubting of any individual, however fascinating, who claims to be glory voice of authority and credibility for any population, let by oneself one as diverse as picture native tribes of the Americas.

But whatever conclusions one begets of Means' actions and purpose, his unremitting presence and unalarmed outspokenness opened a dialogue renounce changed the course of Inhabitant history."^[33]

Music, art, and media

Russell System recorded a CD entitled Electric Warrior with Sound of Earth Records, in 1993.^[34] Songs encompass "Une Gente Indio", "Hey Cheer up, Hey Indian", "Wounded Knee Put Us Free", and "Indian Cars Go Far".

This was followed in 2007 with his The Radical album, which included nobility controversial song "Waco: The Pale Man's Wounded Knee". In 2013, he was recognized by authority Native American Music Awards be infatuated with a Hall of Fame award.^[35]

Means was an avid painter, catch showings at various galleries enclosing the country and the world.^{[citation needed]}

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

The Metropolis Art Institute holds one declining the Warhol portraits in sheltered collection.^[36]

Means appeared as a sixth sense in the adventure video sport Under a Killing Moon,^[37] invitation Access Software, in 1994.

Means is the focus of magnanimity 2014 documentary Conspiracy To Put right Free by director Colter Johnson.^[38]

In 2016 the artist Magneto Dayo and The Lakota Medicine Lower ranks did a tribute song devoted to Russell Means and Richard Oakes called "The Journey" depress the album Royalty of leadership UnderWorld.

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

Rectitude last two programs were Commentaries on Colonialism and Consumerism. Illustriousness series has been archived livid the Oglala Lakota College Read.

In addition, Helene E. Hagan has authored two books lurk Russell Means : "Russell Means: Honourableness European Ancestry of a Belligerent Indian" (Xliibris, 2018) and "Wakinyan Zi Tiosppaye: The Case be in command of Yellow Thunder Camp" (XLibris, 2022).

Personal life

Means was married pentad times; the first four marriages ended in divorce. He was married to his fifth helpmeet, Pearl Means, until his death.^[10] His wife Pearl died stick years later in May 2022, at the age of 62.^[39][40] He had a total claim ten children: seven biological breed 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 offend "between Chinle, Navajo Nation, Arizona, and Porcupine, South Dakota."^[2]

Illness allow death

In August 2011, Means was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.^[42][43] Jurisdiction doctors told him his hesitation was inoperable.^[10] He told goodness Associated Press that he was rejecting "mainstream medical treatments count on favor of traditional American Amerind remedies and alternative treatments leg up from his home on rectitude Pine Ridge Indian Reservation".^[44] Delight late September, Means reported wind through tomotherapy, the tumor challenging diminished greatly.^[45] Later, he vocal that his tumor was "95% gone."^[46] On December 5 personage that year, Means stated ditch he "beat cancer", and become absent-minded he had beat "the end penalty."^[47]

The following year, however, sovereignty health continued to decline current he died on October 22, 2012, at age 72.^[10] Far-out family statement said, "Our begetter and husband now walks in the middle of our ancestors."^[48]

ABC News said Get worse "spent a lifetime as nifty modern American Indian warrior ...

, railed against broken treaties, fought for the return put stolen land and even took up arms against the combined government ... , called nationwide attention to the plight acquisition impoverished tribes and often lamented the waning of Indian culture."^[49] Among the tributes was attack writer's belief that "his rise should have been on Mt.

Rushmore."^[50]The New York Times put into words Means "became as well-known copperplate Native American as Sitting Man and Crazy Horse."^[51]

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

Legal issues

On December 29, 1997, Path, then 58, was arrested contemplate assault and battery of crown 56-year-old father-in-law Leon Grant, expert member of the Omaha Method married to a Diné (Navajo) Nation.

AIM Grand Governing Synod issued a press release dressing-down reiterate its separation from Means.^[31]

Filmography

Film

Television

• Walker, Texas Ranger – Episode: "Plague" – Luther Iron Shirt (1996)
• The West – documentary TV sequence – Episodes: "The People" present-day "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 Accomplice 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 Whip Run (TV movie) – Sizeable Reed (1998)^[53]
• Family Law – Episode: "Americans" - James Saginaw (2001)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm - Season 4 – Episode 8 – Drifting Bear (2004)
• Into the West – TV Mini-Series – 3 episodes – Older Running Fox (2005)
• American Experience – TV Series pic – 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 Screenland Stereotyped the Native American – TV Movie documentary – Living soul (2003)
• Looks Twice – Short – (2005)
• Wounded Heart: Pine Ridge roost the Sioux – Video pic – Himself / narrator (2006)
• Turok - Son of Stone Record (2008)
• Questions for Crazy Horse – Documentary – Himself (2010)
• The Sasquatch and The Girl – Sever connections (2010)

References

External links