The Fiery Heart of Red Power: Russell Means and the Unfinished Struggle
In the annals of American history, few figures burn as brightly and controversially as Russell Charles Means. An Oglala Lakota activist, actor, and author, Means became the uncompromising, defiant face of the American Indian Movement (AIM) during its most volatile and impactful years. His life was a whirlwind of protest, legal battles, and a relentless pursuit of sovereignty for Indigenous peoples, forever etching his name into the narrative of Native American resistance and the broader civil rights movement.
Born in 1939 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Means’ early life was marked by the pervasive poverty and systemic injustices that plagued Native communities. His family later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, a common experience for many Indigenous people during the federal government’s relocation policies. It was in this urban environment, far from the reservation, that Means first encountered the stark realities of discrimination and the growing stirrings of civil rights activism. He worked various jobs, from rodeo rider to computer programmer, but a deeper calling beckoned.
The late 1960s saw the birth of AIM in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded by Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, and George Mitchell. Initially, AIM focused on addressing police brutality against Native Americans in urban settings and confronting the failures of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Means, with his charismatic personality, powerful oratory, and unwavering commitment, quickly rose through its ranks. He embodied the "Red Power" movement, a parallel to the Black Power movement, asserting Indigenous identity, pride, and self-determination. He famously declared, "I am an Oglala Lakota, and I’m a man. I don’t care about anything else in the world, except my people." This singular focus would define his activism.
Means and AIM quickly moved beyond urban issues to confront the historical injustices of broken treaties and stolen lands. Their methods were often confrontational, designed to shock the American public into acknowledging the plight of Native Americans. One of their most significant early actions was the 1972 "Trail of Broken Treaties," a cross-country caravan that culminated in the occupation of the BIA headquarters in Washington, D.C. For six days, activists held the building, presenting a "Twenty Points" position paper detailing demands for the restoration of treaty rights, the abolition of the BIA, and increased Indigenous self-governance. The occupation ended with property damage and the alleged theft of documents, cementing AIM’s image as a militant, radical organization in the eyes of many, while galvanizing support among Native youth and traditionalists.
However, it was the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, that would become Means’ defining moment and a watershed event in Native American history. Wounded Knee, a small hamlet on the Pine Ridge Reservation, held immense symbolic weight as the site of the 1890 massacre of Lakota men, women, and children by the U.S. Army. The occupation began on February 27, 1973, when approximately 200 Oglala Lakota and AIM activists seized the town. They were responding to an appeal from traditional Oglala elders who sought AIM’s protection from the corrupt and oppressive tribal chairman, Richard Wilson, and his private militia, the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs), who were widely seen as puppets of the federal government.
Russell Means, alongside Dennis Banks and other AIM leaders, took center stage. They declared Wounded Knee a sovereign Oglala Nation and demanded a full review of all treaties between the U.S. government and Native American nations, as well as an investigation into the BIA. The federal response was immediate and overwhelming. U.S. Marshals, FBI agents, and armored personnel carriers surrounded the area, establishing a cordon that would last for 71 days. Sniper fire, firefights, and psychological warfare became daily occurrences.
Means, articulate and defiant, became the primary spokesperson for the occupiers, conducting interviews with national and international media from within the besieged village. He used the platform to expose the historical betrayals and ongoing suffering of Native peoples, drawing parallels between the current siege and the original Wounded Knee massacre. "We are not a conquered people," he repeatedly asserted, challenging the narrative of Native American subjugation. The occupation drew global attention, garnering sympathy and support from various civil rights groups and anti-war activists.
The siege was a grueling ordeal. Two Native American men, Frank Clearwater and Buddy Lamont, were killed by federal forces, and numerous others were wounded. Negotiations were tense and protracted, ultimately leading to an agreement for a federal investigation into treaty rights in exchange for the occupiers’ surrender. Means and Banks were arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy and larceny. Their subsequent trial in St. Paul, Minnesota, became a highly publicized spectacle, with defense attorneys alleging government misconduct and illegal surveillance. Ultimately, the charges were dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct, a significant moral victory for AIM.
The immediate aftermath of Wounded Knee was not peaceful, particularly on Pine Ridge. The reservation descended into what became known as the "Reign of Terror," a period of intense violence between AIM supporters, Wilson’s GOONs, and federal agents. Hundreds of Native Americans were assaulted, and dozens were killed. It was during this time that two FBI agents were killed in a 1975 shootout on the reservation, leading to the controversial conviction of AIM activist Leonard Peltier, a case Means vigorously protested throughout his life.
Despite the legal battles and internal divisions that eventually led to the splintering of AIM, Means’ activism did not wane. He continued to advocate for Indigenous rights on numerous fronts. He played a crucial role in the international Indigenous rights movement, participating in the 1977 International Indian Treaty Council conference at the United Nations in Geneva, where he addressed the world about the ongoing struggles of Native peoples.
Means’ later career saw him explore various avenues to continue his advocacy. He ran for president of the Oglala Lakota Nation, campaigned for the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential nomination alongside Larry Flynt, and even ran for Governor of New Mexico. While these political bids were largely unsuccessful, they provided him with platforms to articulate his vision for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
Perhaps surprisingly to some, Means also embarked on an acting career, using the visibility it afforded to further his message. His most prominent role was Chingachgook in the acclaimed 1992 film "The Last of the Mohicans," where his powerful presence and authentic portrayal resonated deeply. He lent his voice to animated features like "Pocahontas" and appeared in numerous other films and television shows, always striving to ensure respectful and accurate portrayals of Native characters.
Russell Means was a complex and often contradictory figure. He was a fierce warrior for his people, unafraid to challenge authority and confront injustice head-on. Yet, he was also accused of authoritarianism and contributed to some of AIM’s internal conflicts. He was a traditionalist who embraced modern media, a revolutionary who ran for political office, and an orator whose words could both inspire and infuriate.
He authored his autobiography, "Where White Men Fear to Tread," in 1995, offering an unfiltered account of his life and activism, further solidifying his place as a significant voice in American literature and history.
Russell Means passed away in 2012 at the age of 72, having battled esophageal cancer. His legacy is multifaceted. He forced America to confront its historical amnesia regarding Native American treaties and the devastating impact of colonialism. He inspired a generation of Indigenous activists and contributed significantly to the ongoing fight for self-determination, environmental justice, and cultural preservation. While AIM’s tactics were often controversial, Means’ unwavering commitment to his people’s rights undeniably shifted the national conversation and empowered Indigenous voices.
The struggle for sovereignty and justice that Russell Means championed is far from over. Yet, his fiery spirit, his defiant stand at Wounded Knee, and his lifelong dedication to "Red Power" continue to resonate, reminding us that the fight for dignity and self-determination is a timeless and essential human endeavor. He remains a towering figure, a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance against oppression, and a perpetual call for America to honor its treaties and truly reckon with its past.
