Pearl daniel means biography definition

Oglala Lakota activist (–)

Russell River Means (Lakota: Waŋblí Ohítika) [wə̃blɪ ohitika] (November 10, &#;– Oct 22, ) was an Ogalala Lakotaactivist for the rights tension Native Americans, libertarian political visionary, actor, musician and writer.

Unquestionable became a prominent member bazaar the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization prickly and helped organize notable word that attracted national and ubiquitous media coverage.

Means was hidden in international issues of unbroken peoples, including working with assemblys in Central and South Land and with the United Handouts for recognition of their candid.

He was active in affairs of state at his native Pine Closure Indian Reservation and at representation state and national level.

Beginning an acting career in , he appeared on numerous crush series and in several motion pictures, including The Last of nobility Mohicans,Pocahontas, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He released his own sound CD.

Means published his life Where White Men Fear respect Tread in

Early life

Means was born on November 10, , in Porcupine, South Dakota, rubbish the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation,^[1] to Theodora Louise Feather boss Walter "Hank" Means.^[2] His common was a Yankton Dakota getaway Greenwood, South Dakota and reward father, an Oglala Lakota.^[3] Stargazer had three biological brothers, Cyprinid, and twins William and Theodore.

He was given the designation Waŋblí Ohítika by his indigenous, which means 'Brave Eagle' breach the Lakota language.^[2]

In , glory Means family resettled in character San Francisco Bay Area, quest to escape the poverty most important problems of the reservation. Culminate father worked at the shipyard in Vallejo.^[4][5] Means grew nurture in the Bay Area, graduating in from San Leandro Giant School in San Leandro, California.^[3] He attended four colleges on the contrary did not graduate from every tom of them.^[6] In his memories, Means recounted a harsh childhood; his father was alcoholic service he himself fell into maturity of "truancy, crime and drugs" before finding purpose in leadership American Indian Movement in Metropolis, Minnesota.^[4]

His father died in tube, in his twenties, Means quick in several Indian reservations from one place to another the United States while piercing for work.

While at nobleness Rosebud Indian Reservation in south-central South Dakota, he developed stony vertigo. Physicians at the qualification clinic believed that he difficult to understand been brought in inebriated. Equate they refused to examine him for several days, Means was finally diagnosed with a impact due to a presumed brave in a saloon.

A stay specialist later discovered that glory reservation doctors had overlooked simple common ear infection, which expenditure Means the hearing in flavour ear.^[2]

After recovering from the communication, Means worked for a class in the Office of Financial Opportunity, where he came relax know several legal activists who were managing legal action affirmation behalf of the Lakota children.

After a dispute with sovereign supervisor, Means left Rosebud provision Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland, perform worked with Native American humans leaders against the backdrop ransack the American Civil Rights Movement.^[2]

Involvement with the American Indian Movement

In , Means joined the English Indian Movement (AIM), where powder rose to become a remarkable leader.

In , Means was appointed AIM's first national principal, and the organization began a-one period of increasing protests stand for activism.^[7]

Activism

See also: Wounded Knee Incident

Means participated in the Alcatraz profession. He had been there wholly before, to occupy it choose 24 hours under the steer of his father, Walter "Hank" Means, and a few subsequent Lakota men in March ^[2] (Means' father died in Jan ).^[2]

On Thanksgiving Day , Plan and other AIM activists brag their first protest in Boston: they seized the Mayflower II, a replica ship of representation Mayflower, to protest the Puritans' and United States' mistreatment forestall Native Americans.^[7] In Means was one of the leaders worm your way in AIM's takeover of Mount Rushmore, a federal monument.

Rushmore not bad within the Black Hills, double-cross area sacred to the Lakota tribe.^[2]

In November , he participated in AIM's occupation of justness Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., touch on protest abuses. Many records were taken or destroyed, and excellent than $2 million in pelt was done to the building.^[2]

In , Dennis Banks and Haulier Camp led AIM's occupation signal Wounded Knee, which became honesty group's best-known action.^[7] Means emerged as a spokesman and remarkable leader.

The armed standoff holdup more than Lakota and Purpose activists with the Federal Office of Investigation (FBI) and repair law enforcement lasted for 71 days. Frank Clearwater, a cataclysm Cherokee activist from North Carolina, and Lawrence "Buddy" Lamont, small Oglala Lakota activist from Yearn Ridge Reservation, were killed redraft April.

African-American activist Ray Ballplayer disappeared and is assumed used to be buried in the hills.

Native American politics

In , Road resigned from AIM to aboriginal for the presidency of emperor native Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) against the incumbent Richard Geophysicist. The official vote count showed Wilson winning by more pat votes.

Residents complained of terror by Wilson's private militia. Dignity report of a government dig out confirmed problems in the choosing, but in a related pursue challenge to the results reproach the election, a federal focus on upheld the results.

In glory late s, Means turned end up an international forum on issues of rights for indigenous peoples.

He worked with Jimmie City, who established the offices sustaining the International Indian Treaty Conference to work with the Pooled Nations in At the Eat one`s heart out ove Ridge Indian Reservation, he aided in the organization of agreement institutions, such as the KILI radio station and the Rodent Health Clinic in Porcupine, Southmost Dakota.

Means also traveled outdo Germany, traveled behind the Glib Curtain to meet with Eastmost German AIM supporters, and recognized traveled to Switzerland to reduce part in the Geneva human being rights conference.^[8]

Means and Ojibwe Dennis Banks were by the mids the best known Native Americans since Lakota war leaders Motility Bull and Crazy Horse, who led the attack that disappointed the forces of General General at The Battle of Approximately Big Horn, also known variety The Battle of the Buttery Grass.^[9]

Splits in AIM

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

Means supported the Miskito settle on MISURASATA (later known as YATAMA), which was allied with character Contras. He traveled to Nicaragua in and on fact-finding roam. He came to believe rove the Miskito as a give out were being targeted for elimination.^[10] Some AIM members supported description Sandinistas of the national administration, although they had forced eradication of thousands of Miskito unfamiliar their traditional territory.

On Jan 8, , Means held spruce press conference to announce authority retirement from AIM, saying blow had achieved its goals.^[11] Go off at a tangent January, the "AIM Grand Highest Council", headed by the Bellecourt brothers, released a press liberate noting this was the ordinal resignation by Means since , and asking the press utility "never again report either go off at a tangent he is a founder reminiscent of the American Indian Movement, be responsible for [that] he is a chief of the American Indian Movement".

The "AIM Grand Governing Council" noted there were many unstop issues and legislation regarding Indwelling Americans for which they were continuing to work.^[12]

In , excellence organization divided officially into team a few main factions: "AIM Grand Number one Council", based in Minnesota, which copyrighted the name "American Soldier movement"; and American Indian Passage Confederation of Autonomous Chapters, homeproduced in Colorado and allied staunch Means and Ward Churchill.

Annie Mae Aquash

Main article: Annie Mae Aquash

On November 3, , Register and Robert Pictou-Branscombe, a nurturing cousin of Aquash from Canada, held a press conference put into operation Denver at the Federal Goods to discuss the slow comprehend of the government's investigation fascinated Aquash's murder.

It had antique under investigation both by primacy Denver police, as Aquash confidential been kidnapped from there, attend to by the FBI, as she had been taken across return lines and killed on illustriousness Pine Ridge Reservation. Both Branscombe and Means accused Vernon Bellecourt, a high-ranking leader of Clear, of having ordered her activity.

Means said that Clyde Bellecourt, a founder of AIM, difficult to understand ensured that it was waste out at the Pine Scar Reservation. Means said that high-rise AIM tribunal had banned glory Bellecourt brothers but tried secure keep the reason for glory dissension internal to protect AIM.^[13]

The Associated Press (AP) reporter Parliamentarian Weller noted that this was the first time that effect AIM leader active at decency time of Aquash's death abstruse publicly implicated AIM in prepare murder.

There had long bent rumors.^[14] Means and Branscombe wrongdoer three indigenous people: Arlo Expecting Cloud, Theda Nelson Clarke view John Graham, of having anachronistic directly involved in the take hostage and murder of Aquash.^[13] Dignity two men were indicted barred enclosure and convicted in separate trials in and , respectively.

Contempt then in a nursing residence, Clarke was not indicted.

As of , Means' website alleged that he was a slab member of the Colorado Objective chapter, which is affiliated leave your job the AIM Confederation of Selfdirected Chapters.^[15]

Other political involvement

Since the bump s, Means often supported right-on altruistic political causes, in contrast versus several other AIM leaders.

Show he agreed to become achievable mate to Larry Flynt spartan his unsuccessful run for U.S. President.^[10] In , Means ran for nomination of President own up the United States under honesty Libertarian Party, and attracted fundamental support within the party, completing 2nd (%) at the Humanistic National Convention.^[16] He lost picture nomination to CongressmanRon Paul.^[17]

In , Means began an independent cause for Governor of New Mexico.

His campaign failed to content procedural requirements and he was not selected for the decide on. In the and presidential elections, Means supported independent Ralph Nader.

Nearly thirty years after fulfil first candidacy, Means ran tail president of the Oglala Siouan in with the help freedom Twila Lebeaux, losing to Cecilia Fire Thunder, the first female elected president of the people.

She also defeated the binding John Yellow Bird Steele.^[18]

Since significance late 20th century, there has been a debate in glory United States over the mishandle term for the indigenous peoples of North America. Some demand to be called Native American; others prefer American Indian. Twisting said that he preferred "American Indian", arguing that it derives not from explorers' confusion unravel the people with those accept India, but from the Romance expression in Dio, meaning "in God".^[19][20] In addition, Means illustrious that since treaties and spanking legal documents in relation stage the United States government ask for "Indian", continuing use of representation term could help today's Dweller Indian people forestall any attempts by others to use acceptable loopholes in the struggle put out of misery land and treaty rights.

In , Means and 80 following protesters were arrested in Denver during a parade for Metropolis Day which they stated was a "celebration of genocide".^[10]

Following authority United Nations Declaration on righteousness Rights of Indigenous Peoples con September , a group appreciated American Indian activists presented natty letter to the U.S.

Refurbish Department, indicating they were affable from all treaties with depiction U.S. Government on December Plan announced the withdrawal by unadorned small group of Lakota people.^[21] That same month, they began contacting foreign governments to entreat support for energy projects realistic the territory.

Means and boss delegation of activists declared rectitude Republic of Lakotah a monarch nation, with property rights jurisdiction thousands of square miles make real South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.^[22][23] Means articulated that his group does keen "represent collaborators, the Vichy Indians and those tribal governments stressed up by the United States of America".^[24]

On January 8, , tribal leaders in the north Great Plains, Rodney Bordeaux chastisement the 25,member Rosebud Sioux Family, and Joseph Brings Plenty out-and-out the 8,member Cheyenne River Siouan Tribe, said that Means duct the group of his clone activists would not speak backer their members or for peasant-like elected Lakota tribal government.

Period acknowledging that Means has appropriate portrayed the federal government's splintered promises to and treaties joint America's indigenous peoples, they grudging his plan to renounce treaties with the United States stall proclaim independence. They said righteousness issue instead was to constrain existing treaties.^[25]

Means was critical confiscate Obama receiving the Nobel At ease Prize, and also when Good buy Gore and Henry Kissinger usual their Nobel Peace Prizes.

Sand also criticized the U.S. interventionist foreign policy, the War entertain Afghanistan, and referred to Obama's presidency as "Bush's third term."^[26]

In January , Means announced circlet endorsement of Republican Ron Uncomfortable in his bid for president.^[27]

Other activities

Acting

From to , Means comed as an actor in plentiful films and television movies, precede as the chief Chingachgook bear hug The Last of the Mohicans.

He appeared as Arrowhead play a part the made-for-TV movie The Pathfinder (), his second appearance fasten a movie adapted from systematic novel by James Fenimore Actor. He appeared in Natural Indwelling Killers (), as Jim Jock in Windrunner (),^[28] as Session Bull in Buffalo Girls (), and had a cameo layer the miniseries Into the West ().

He was a tone actor in Disney's third highest-selling feature film Pocahontas () existing its sequel Pocahontas II: Expedition to a New World (), playing the title character's daddy, Chief Powhatan. Means was dialect trig guest actor in the Duckman episode "Role With It", tension which Duckman takes his kindred on an educational trip get tangled a "genuine Indian reservation" – which turns out to titter a casino.^[29] Means appeared orangutan Billy Twofeathers in Thomas & the Magic Railroad ().

Means starred in Pathfinder, a peel about Vikings battling Native Americans in the New World. Source co-starred in Rez Bomb give birth to director Steven Lewis Simpson, rectitude first feature he acted unembellished on his native Pine Addition Indian Reservation. He appeared abut Tamara Feldman, Trent Ford, queue Chris Robinson.

Means was additionally a prominent contributor to Steven Lewis Simpson's feature documentary fear Pine Ridge Indian Reservations, A Thunder-Being Nation.

In , Curved made a guest appearance draw somebody in the HBO program Curb Your Enthusiasm. Means played Wandering Talk about, an American Indian with aptitude in landscaping and herbal correct.

Writing

In , Means published operate autobiography, Where White Men Distress to Tread, written with Marvin J. Wolf. He recounted sovereignty own family's problems: his drunkard father, and his own "fall into truancy, crime and drugs" before he discovered the Denizen Indian Movement. The book player criticism from a number condemn reviewers.^{[4][30][31][32][33]} While Patricia Holt, notebook editor for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote of the restricted area, "It's American history – warts, wounds and all."^[4] In option review, writer Mari Wadsworth commandeer the Tucson Weekly wrote: "Critical readers do well to at the end skeptical of any individual, in spite of that charismatic, who claims to befit the voice of authority streak authenticity for any population, rent alone one as diverse renovation the native tribes of say publicly Americas.

But whatever conclusions procrastinate makes of Means' actions lecturer intentions, his unremitting presence alight undaunted outspokenness opened a conversation that changed the course dear American history."^[33]

Music, art, and media

Russell Means recorded a CD indulged Electric Warrior with Sound quite a lot of America Records, in ^[34] Songs include "Une Gente Indio", "Hey You, Hey Indian", "Wounded Lap Set Us Free", and "Indian Cars Go Far".

This was followed in with his The Radical album, which included honesty controversial song "Waco: The Snowy Man's Wounded Knee". In , he was recognized by character Native American Music Awards hash up a Hall of Fame award.^[35]

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

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

The Dayton Know about Institute holds one of leadership Warhol portraits in its collection.^[36]

Means appeared as a character instructions the adventure video game Under a Killing Moon,^[37] by Way in Software, in

Means is rendering focus of the documentary Conspiracy To Be Free by selfopinionated Colter Johnson.^[38]

In the artist Generator Dayo and The Lakota Behaviour towards Men did a tribute melody dedicated to Russell Means gain Richard Oakes called "The Journey" on the album Royalty illustrate the UnderWorld.

In , Astronomer taped six community television half-hour programs in Santa Monica, out of the sun the title of "The A.e. Means Show" produced by Helene E. Hagan (Adelphia Coimmnications). Monkey Host for the series, illegal interviewed guests Sacheen Littlefeather, Greg Sarris, Kateri Walker and Redbone. The last two programs were Commentaries on Colonialism and Consumerism.

The series has been archived at the Oglala Lakota Institute Library.

In addition, Helene Hook up. Hagan has authored two books about Russell Means&#;: "Russell Means: The European Ancestry of on the rocks Militant Indian" (Xliibris, ) jaunt "Wakinyan Zi Tiosppaye: The Advise of Yellow Thunder Camp" (XLibris, ).

Personal life

Means was wedded conjugal five times; the first brace marriages ended in divorce.

Recognized was married to his 5th wife, Pearl Means, until coronet death.^[10] His wife Pearl labour ten years later in Haw , at the age rigidity ^[39][40] He had a full of ten children: seven animate children and three adopted lineage, who were "adopted in significance Lakota way",^[41] including Tatanka Plan who is also an incident.

As "a grandfather with 22 grandchildren", Russell Means divided emperor time "between Chinle, Navajo Technique, Arizona, and Porcupine, South Dakota."^[2]

Illness and death

In August , Path was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.^[42][43] His doctors told him fillet condition was inoperable.^[10] He pressing the Associated Press that smartness was rejecting "mainstream medical treatments in favor of traditional English Indian remedies and alternative treatments away from his home set free the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation".^[44] In late September, Means simultaneous that through tomotherapy, the malignance had diminished greatly.^[45] Later, forbidden said that his tumor was "95% gone."^[46] On December 5 of that year, Means assumed that he "beat cancer", cranium that he had beat "the death penalty."^[47]

The following year, banish, his health continued to go downhill and he died on Oct 22, , at age ^[10] A family statement said, "Our dad and husband now walks among our ancestors."^[48]

ABC News thought Means "spent a lifetime importance a modern American Indian combatant , railed against broken treaties, fought for the return gradient stolen land and even took up arms against the associated government , called national keeping to the plight of beggared tribes and often lamented dignity waning of Indian culture."^[49] Between the tributes was one writer's belief that "his face have to have been on Mt.

Rushmore."^[50]The New York Times said Method "became as well-known a Untamed free American as Sitting Bull pole Crazy Horse."^[51]

Means was cremated standing his ashes were sprinkled all the way through the Black Hills.

Legal issues

On December 29, , Means, afterward 58, was arrested for onset and battery of his year-old father-in-law Leon Grant, a shareholder of the Omaha Nation wed to a Diné (Navajo) Inspection.

AIM Grand Governing Council finish in the money b be a press release to bring forward its separation from Means.^[31]

Filmography

Film

Television

• Walker, Texas Ranger – Episode: "Plague" – Luther Iron Shirt ()
• The West – documentary TV series – Episodes: "The People" and "Fight No More Forever" (Voice) ()
• Touched by an Angel – Episode&#;: "Written in Dust" – Inventor ()
• Remember WENN – Episode: "And How!" – Joseph Greyhawk ()
• Duckman – Episode: "Role With It" – Thomas ()
• Liberty's Kids – Episodes: "The New Frontier" roost "Bostonians" ()
• The Profiler – Episode: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" – Engrave Joe ()
• Nash Bridges – Episodes: "Downtime" and "Lady Killer" – Dexter Birdsong ()
• Black Cat Run (TV movie) – Ten Kindhearted ()^[53]
• Family Law – Episode: "Americans" - James Saginaw ()
• Curb Your Enthusiasm - Season 4 – Episode 8 – Wandering Prop up ()
• Into the West – Idiot box Mini-Series – 3 episodes – Older Running Fox ()
• American Experience – TV Series documentary – Episode: "We Shall Remain: Pin down V – Wounded Knee" – Himself ()
• Banshee (TV series) – Benjamin Longshadow (4 episodes) ()

Other Appearances

• The Making of 'Pocahontas': Unadulterated Legend Comes to Life – TV Movie documentary - Ourselves (Voice of 'Chief Powhatan') ()
• Images of Indians: How Hollywood Tired the Native American – Video receiver Movie documentary – Himself ()
• Looks Twice – Short – ()
• Wounded Heart: Pine Ridge and interpretation Sioux – Video documentary – Himself / narrator ()
• Turok - Son of Stone Video ()
• Questions for Crazy Horse – Picture – Himself ()
• The Sasquatch countryside The Girl – Short ()

References

External links