Russell Means, Most well known American Indian Activist--Dead at 72 - Page 1

Here is an interview with Russell from last year entitled "Welcome to the Reservation". This is the first part of seven available on www.youtube.com .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GGE62qZHOc&feature=player_detailpage

Thank you Preston for posting that--he was a role model for many people. I was sorry I never got to personally meet him.

Here is another article you might be interested in.

http://www.nativenewsnetwork.com/russell-means-by-no-means-a-perfect-man-yet-he-was-our-strong-voice.html

I was lucky to have met Means many times at rallies and Ron Paul events. He was one of our speakers during the entire 2008 campaign, due to his illness, he wasn't as active this last go around for 2012. It was hard for some of us at the RNC in Tampa, because that's was when we got word he was hospitalized and took a turn for the worse and wouldn't be joining us in Tampa.

Means created the first bank that delt 100% in gold and silver reserve banking on a reservation, I am proud to be a member of. He is also one of the founders of AIM and a hardcore activist - even though he was hated by his peers. He devoted his whole political life to secession for his Oglala Sioux people and his famous quote in the Liberty Movement will follow him into history - “I don't want to talk about the environment and the American Indian viewpoint, I hate the word Native American. Its a government term, which was created in the year 1970 in the Department of the Interior, a generic term that describes all the prisoners of the United States of America.” ~ Russell Means

It was my pleasure listening to Ron Paul and Russell Means speak about one and other because they both ran against each other on the Libertarian ticket in 1988. Ron Paul didn't want to runs against Means and Means didn't want to run against Ron Paul, they both figured, beings the Libertarian Party never got media attention - they both could draw a firestorm of attention for the US Constitution both saying the same things. The Libertarian Party will never see such a peaceful yet tense, expensive, honorable truce in rebel fight in defense of the US Constitution as witnessed in 1988 with well armed Ron Paul and rebel Russell Means known as foes on the debate stage together both extreme against the status corruption.

Both Ron Paul and Russell Means are the only two candidates EVER to publically oppose presidential unilateral power to kill. Yet again, Ron Paul now stands alone.

Travel well, my Brother.



"It ended...
His body changed to light,
A star that burns forever in the sky."

  -- 'Aztec-American Indian'

Here's a video he made for a few of us before the primaries - continue our courage and give us strength.



RIP Russell Means, you have now trademarked anew and improved Last of the Mohicans.

Melissa

Preston,

you could have picked a better video.

 

BabyEagle,

Russell Means and Ron Paul were not the same and had very little in common other than their political involvement.
Do not use his death in such a manner.

Means actually fought for his cause, blood was spilled, lives were lost.
Plus the killing of Anna Mae Aquash which he and several other AIM members were involved in.

The man overcame much in his life to accomplish what he did, I give him that.
No, not a perfect man and to speak of his imperfections now would not be appropriate.

It is enough to say he is remembered.

Two Moons.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Moons, I picked that video because it was what he was most known for as far as his last positions taken in public speeches.  I did not evaluate Russell Means or say I agreed with everything he stood for or for the things he admitted to doing that were wrong. Actually I don't know much about him at all, but I do know he was considered a rebel and controversial even amoung different tribes. Vonissk may have a well informed opinion about Means. I don't.

Preston and Vonissk, thank you so much for those tributes.  He was such an interesting
man & charismatic speaker, I always admired him for the little I knew of him - not exactly
an everyday topic of conversation in England  :(
I particularly like the phrase in your newspaper article, Vonissk, that he "walked on";
never heard that term for death before, its a good one.

Baby Eagle, I think it is aqwesdome you got to meet him--what I would have given for that opportunity. I had forgotten he did run on the Libetarian ticket. I remember that we thought it was wonderful--a native running for Prez. He was a role model for many of the younger natives that they could suceed by not allowing who or what they were or where they came from hold them back.

Preston I am afraid that's all I have to offer. I knew who he was and what he represented. As far as the title goes of him being the most well known native activist, not sure about that. In fact had you asked me, I would have said Dennis Banks and Clyde Bellecourt--Clyde as I have said before is the one who started the whole AIM thing. But then there were several that aren't on the tip of everyone's tongues. Another one that comes to my mind is Leonard Crow Dog. Anyway.......

Hey Hundmutter hope you are doing OK. Yep it is either called walking on or making the journey..........Not to be disrespecful of anyone, but I have often wondered if we all get up there in our happy hunting grounds how all the exes and everything will get along? There are prejudices within certain tribes toward other tribes and I wonder how that's working out?

When I was looking at the video Preston posted the link to, I ended up looking at several. I had known he was sick but I had no idea how sick he was and how far downhill he had gone. It broke my heart and I am sure it was very hard on him. I know he lived a good life and he changed many people's lives. Walk on in peace my brother and I'll finally get to meet you on the flip flop.

Yeah, just the physical difference in him between the Welcome To The Res series
and that one re Ron Paul posted by BE4U - wow.