Russell Means Walks Among His Ancestors
November 8th, 2012
I’m behind the news cycle on this one because it happened while I was out of the country, but something must be said. On October 22, 2012 the world lost Russell Means, one of my personal heroes. Russell was a champion of the Lakota people, and prominent libertarian activist, combining what many assume are disparate causes in perfect harmony. His Lakota name, Wanbli Ohitika, means Brave Eagle and his life was a testament to that title.
In the 60s Russell joined the American Indian Movement (AIM), participating in the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz island in California. In 1970 he was appointed AIM’s first national director, bringing the organization to international attention. He then took part in the occupation of the Mayflower in Boston, and Mount Rushmore, within the Black Hills area sacred to the Lakota people.
Russell was also prominent in the liberty movement. In 1983 he was Larry Flynt’s Vice-Presidential running mate, and in 1987 he ran for the Presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party finishing second to Dr. Ron Paul. And in 2012 he announced his endorsement of Ron Paul for President.
In 2007, Russell and a group of American Indian activists presented the US State Department with a declaration withdrawing from all treaties with the US Government and proclaiming the Republic of Lakota a sovereign Nation with property rights over territories in parts of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.
Lots of people talk a big game about secession, but very few do so as boldly or as publically as the Lakota Nation.
In addition to his political activism Russell Means has an eclectic media career including a role in The Last of the Mohicans, and voice character in Disney’s Pocahontas and posing for 18 portraits in Andy Warhol’s American Indian Series. He released his own music CD titled “Electric Warrior” and published an autobiography titled “Where White Men Fear to Tread.”
Russell Means is a man to be admired and a life to be emulated. He was a Rebel of the highest order. A modern Lakota warrior deserving of the pride of his ancestors.
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