Today we discussed individuals who have been influential in the lives in American Indians. Some of our classmates mentioned Geronimo and Sitting Bull. I thought I would also mention a few others. Russell Means was mentioned in our reading for today. He was involved in the American Indian Movement that took control of Alcatraz and the Pine Ridge Reservation in the early 70s and continues to be active in the Indian struggle for equal rights and recognition. Wilma Mankiller was the Cherokee Nation's first female chief, an important figure in both the Indian and women's rights movements that still continue today. Finally, Leonard Peltier is seen as an extremely important figure for the Indian people, especially concerning the taking of Wounded Knee in the 70s. He was tried and convicted for the killing of two FBI agents. However his trial isn't seen as the ideal of the fair American trial. Witnesses were intimidated and threatened into giving testimony that fit the government's interpretation of what happened that day. He is seen as a political prisoner by the Indian community because he has been held for over 35 years for a crime they do not believe he committed. There are a lot of websites that describe his trial and that day on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His story is an important one in Indian history because it proves that the government still refuses to admit mistakes made concerning various incidents. Wounded Knee in 1890 and in 1971 are both proof that not a lot has changed concerning race relations in the United States.
I feel Leonard Peltier's story should be more well known to the public. I feel he is a civil rights leader for the Native American people. It is such a shme that his fate and future lies in the hands of the same government that has wronged him and his people from the very start. His story reminds me of Nelson Mendela. I hope it ends very similar to his stoy as well that he is found innocent and free'd from prison. The American Government should truely be ashamed of thier history of just literally and figuretively "killing a people". But As his sister said "there is hope" And I will look into what has happend to Leonard thus far. Most civil rights leaders pave the way for many others and thier causes with thier own lives.
ReplyDeleteExcellent information in this post, Rachel! One of the students in my other section did his presentation on Leonard Peltier. I will be sure to show the class the video clip you have posted.
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