Russell Means Timeline

Russell Means, a prominent Oglala Lakota activist, actor, and author, dedicated his life to advocating for Native American rights and challenging historical injustices. His journey, marked by activism, controversy, and artistic endeavors, provides a compelling narrative of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the broader struggle for indigenous self-determination. This Russell Means Timeline outlines the key events and milestones in his life, illuminating his profound impact on Native American history and beyond.

1939: A Birth on Sacred Land

November 10, 1939, marked the birth of Russell Charles Means on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This birthplace held immense significance, steeped in the history and ancestral ties of the Lakota people. Pine Ridge, one of the largest and poorest reservations in the United States, would serve as a constant reminder of the challenges facing Native American communities and fuel his later activism. The reservation itself is a landscape of rolling hills and sparse vegetation, a stark reminder of the broken treaties and lost lands that defined the Lakota experience.

1942: Relocation to the Bay Area

When Russell was just three years old, his family relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in California. This move was part of a larger trend of Native American migration to urban centers during the mid-20th century, driven by economic opportunities and government relocation programs. However, this transition often led to cultural dislocation and further marginalization. While the Bay Area offered a different environment than the reservation, the underlying issues of discrimination and prejudice remained prevalent.

1958: Graduation and Early Life

Means graduated from San Leandro High School in San Leandro, California, marking a formal end to his early education. This period likely saw him navigating the complexities of assimilating into mainstream American society while grappling with his Native American identity. The experiences and challenges faced during his youth would undoubtedly shape his future path and contribute to his growing awareness of social injustices.

1970: The Rise of AIM

A pivotal year in Means’ life, 1970 saw him become the first national director of the American Indian Movement (AIM). AIM, founded in 1968, emerged as a powerful force in the fight for Native American rights, advocating for self-determination, treaty rights, and cultural preservation. Means’ charismatic leadership and unwavering commitment quickly propelled him to the forefront of the movement.

• Mount Rushmore Protest: In 1970, Means participated in a prayer vigil atop Mount Rushmore. This symbolic act aimed to dramatize Lakota claims to the Black Hills land, a region considered sacred by the Lakota people but seized by the U.S. government in violation of treaties. The protest highlighted the ongoing struggle for land rights and the historical injustices faced by Native Americans. The choice of Mount Rushmore, a monument to American presidents carved into the Black Hills, was a deliberate challenge to the dominant narrative of American history.
• Thanksgiving Day Demonstration at Plymouth Rock: That same year, Means helped lead AIM’s Thanksgiving Day demonstration at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. This event involved approximately 200 American Indians seizing the Mayflower II replica, painting Plymouth Rock red, and observing a day of mourning. This powerful act of protest directly confronted the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving, highlighting the devastating impact of colonization on Native American populations.

1972: Trail of Broken Treaties and BIA Occupation

In 1972, Means played a key role in the Trail of Broken Treaties, a cross-country caravan from California to Washington, D.C. AIM was among eight Indian organizations participating. The culmination of this journey was the week-long occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. The protest aimed to bring attention to the U.S. government’s long history of broken treaties and the ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans. The occupation resulted in significant damage to the BIA building and the seizure of documents that exposed government mismanagement and corruption.

• Lawsuit Against Cleveland Indians: As director of the Cleveland AIM chapter, Means filed a $9 million lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians baseball team, challenging the use of "Chief Wahoo," its controversial mascot. Means argued that "Chief Wahoo" epitomized stereotypical and demeaning images of American Indians, attacking their cultural heritage and destroying Indian pride. This legal challenge brought the issue of Native American representation in sports to the forefront and sparked a broader debate about cultural appropriation.

1973: The Wounded Knee Standoff

Perhaps the most significant and controversial event in Means’ life was his leadership role in the 71-day armed standoff at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1973. This event, a protest against government corruption and the failure to address Native American grievances, involved a group of AIM activists and Lakota people occupying the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. The standoff resulted in intense clashes with federal agents, with thousands of shots fired. Two Native Americans were killed, and a federal agent was paralyzed. Means and Dennis Banks, another protest leader, were charged with assault, larceny, and conspiracy. The Wounded Knee standoff became a symbol of Native American resistance and brought national attention to the issues facing indigenous communities.

1974-1979: Legal Battles and Continued Activism

• Dismissal of Wounded Knee Case: In 1974, the case against Means stemming from the Wounded Knee standoff was dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct, highlighting the government’s questionable tactics in suppressing Native American activism.
• Republic of Lakotah Declaration: The Republic of Lakotah released its Declaration of Continuing Independence through the First International Indian Treaty Council, asserting the Lakota people’s right to self-determination.
• Controversies and Conflicts: The mid-1970s were marked by violence and controversy. In 1975, Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, an AIM member, was murdered on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The circumstances surrounding her death and the alleged involvement of AIM members remain a subject of debate and investigation. Means faced murder charges, later acquitted, in connection with the death of Martin Montileaux. He was also shot in separate incidents in North and South Dakota, surviving what he described as assassination attempts.
• Centennial of Little Big Horn: In 1976, Means led a caravan of 500 Sioux and Cheyenne during the centennial of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s last stand at Little Big Horn in Montana, reclaiming the narrative of the battle from a Native American perspective.
• "Longest Walk": In 1978, Means participated in the "Longest Walk," a peaceful protest from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., that aimed to block anti-Indian legislation in Congress.
• Prison and Speech: In 1979, he served one year in prison following a riot at the Rapid City courthouse, experiencing violence within the prison system.

1980-1989: Political Ventures and Retirement from AIM

• "For America to Live, Europe Must Die!": In 1980, Means delivered his powerful "For America to Live, Europe Must Die!" speech at the Black Hills International Survival Gathering, critiquing the destructive impact of European colonialism on indigenous peoples and the environment.
• Chief Wahoo Settlement: In 1983, the lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians baseball club was settled out of court for $35,000, a decision that was later widely criticized as insufficient.
• Vice Presidential and Presidential Bids: In 1984, Means served as a vice-presidential candidate, joining Larry Flynt’s unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination. In 1987, he ran for president, seeking the Libertarian Party nomination but losing to Ron Paul.
• Retirement: In 1988, Means announced his retirement from AIM, marking the end of his formal leadership role in the organization.

1990-2012: Acting Career, Continued Activism, and Final Years

• Acting Debut: In 1992, Means began his acting career, playing Chingachgook in the film "Last of the Mohicans," gaining recognition for his portrayal of Native American characters.
• Columbus Day Protests: With the Colorado chapter of AIM, he continued his activism, stopping the Columbus Day parade in Denver in 1992.
• Voice Acting and Autobiography: He lent his voice to the character of Powhatan in Disney’s "Pocahontas" (1995) and starred as Sitting Bull in the CBS mini-series "Buffalo Girls" (1995). His autobiography, Where White Men Fear to Tread (1995), offered a personal account of his life and activism.
• Continued Protests and Allegations: Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Means remained active in protests and faced legal challenges. In 1999, he publicly accused AIM leaders of involvement in the murder of Anna Mae Aquash, sparking further controversy and division within the movement.
• Political Campaigns: In 2002, Means campaigned to become governor of New Mexico but was barred from the ballot. In 2004, he ran for president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe but was defeated.
• Republic of Lakotah Declaration: In 2007, the Republic of Lakotah declared its withdrawal from the United States, reiterating the call for sovereignty and self-determination.
• Illness and Final Message: In 2011, Means was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and turned to indigenous medicines and spiritual healing ceremonies. On August 14, 2012, he posted his last video message to his YouTube page, titled "Clouds," sharing his reflections on life and spirituality. Russell Means Timeline ends with his passing, but not his legacy.

Legacy:

Russell Means, an iconic figure in the fight for Native American rights, died on October 22, 2012, at the age of 72. His life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the preservation of Native American culture. This Russell Means Timeline demonstrates the breadth of his work. He left behind a complex and controversial legacy, but his impact on Native American history and the broader struggle for indigenous rights remains undeniable. His story continues to inspire and challenge us to confront historical injustices and work towards a more equitable future.