Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Leonard Cyril Peltier Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: September 4, 1942
Died: (still alive)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Native American Activist, Survivalist, and Author
Early Life and Background
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Leonard Peltier was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to a family of Oglala Lakota Sioux. Growing up amidst poverty and social unrest, Peltier's early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. He was forced to flee his home at age 16 due to violent confrontations between government agents and Native American activists, including the infamous Wounded Knee incident.
Major Accomplishments
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Peltier became involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM) during the late 1960s, advocating for Native American rights, including land reform, self-determination, and an end to violence against indigenous peoples. In 1975, he was arrested alongside fellow AIM activists Anna Mae Aquash and Bob Robideau following a shootout with FBI agents in which two law enforcement officers were killed.
Notable Works or Actions
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Peltier has written extensively on his experiences as a Native American activist and prisoner of conscience. His most notable works include:
_Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance_
_The Hunt for Leonhard Peltier_ (co-authored with Rupert Ross)
* _My Life Is My Sun Dance_ (autobiography)
Throughout his life, Peltier has become a symbol of resistance against oppression and government overreach. He continues to inspire movements advocating for social justice, human rights, and Native American sovereignty.
Impact and Legacy
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Peltier's case has been widely criticized as an example of police brutality, FBI misconduct, and racial injustice. Despite his imprisonment since 1976 on charges related to the deaths of two FBI agents, Peltier remains a respected figure in Native American communities worldwide. His tireless advocacy has raised awareness about issues affecting indigenous peoples, including land rights, cultural preservation, and government accountability.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Leonard Peltier is widely quoted and remembered for his unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights. Through his writings and actions, he has shed light on the struggles faced by Native American communities and inspired a new generation of activists fighting against systemic inequality. As a symbol of resilience in the face of oppression, Peltier's story continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
As an advocate for indigenous peoples' rights, Peltier's quotes are often cited in discussions about social justice, government accountability, and human rights. His unwavering dedication to his cause has left an indelible mark on history, making him a powerful and enduring figure in the world of activism and advocacy.
Quotes by Leonard Peltier
But... no... there I go, being vindictive and vengeful myself, wishing harm on others as they have wished it on me. I have to watch that in myself. I have to step on the head of that snake every time it rises. There’s always someone to hate. The list of those who have earned our hatred – and spurned our hatred – is endless. Shall we draw up lists of each other’s crimes? Must we hate each other for all time?
It seems it’s always the innocent who pay the highest price for injustice. It’s seemed that way all my life.
I, however, fear that at some future point there will possibly be concerted backlash against us because of our successes in business and other ventures. I fear this because I see a concerted effort by writers across the countries to sway public opinions by past AIM organizers.
From time to time they move you around from one cell to another, and that’s always a big deal in your life. Your cell is just about all you’ve got, your only refuge. Like an animal’s cage, it’s your home – a home that would make anyone envy the homeless.
The United States government can indict you on something, and now you’ve got to prove your innocence. And that’s not the Constitution of the United States.
In them days, it was just still not illegal to kill an Indian. If you killed an Indian, you’d be very unfortunate if you got probation – most of them were released immediately.
I was like so many others passion-ately involved in trying to bring those truths to the world’s attention. We did our very best to peacefully do that. The city, state, and federal governments did their very best to quell our efforts. They were used to using heavy-handed tactics to silence us.
You can’t believe one thing and do another. What you believe and what you do are the same thing.
Innocence has a single voice that can only say over and over again, “I didn’t do it.” Guilt has a thousand voices, all of them lies.