Who Is Leonard Peltier A Hero

Leonard Peltier, a man who many believe was wrongly accused and charged with the shooting and killing of two FBI agents during the summer of 1975. Peltier was sentenced to life in prison, ordered to serve two consecutive life terms for something that even the government can’t prove he did. To this day, he still sits in a high security prison in Florida. Leonard Peltier is an activist humanitarian, political hero to the Native Americans and some will even say a martyr. He is an active member of the American Indian Movement, also known as AMI. He has fought for equal rights, the lands and the culture of American Indians. Yet, he sits in prison wrongly accused. Peltier has many different followers, along with many people who say he is guilty and

deserves what he has received. Which brings me to the thought of how this man is remembered. History text books talk about the events surrounding this man, but never actually mention his name. After talking to a few people, not many know who is he at all. Some people will argue that he deserves to be in prison, while others believe he should have been freed a long time ago. After tons of research, I believe Leonard Peltier is an innocent man and should be freed. I will use many different sources such as websites, journals, newspaper articles and books to show you why I believe he is innocent. Also, how and why Peltier should be remembered.
Leonard Peltier was Born on September 12, 1944 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, he grew up in Butte, Montana. At a very young age Peltier was victim to prejudice, racial comments and poverty because of his culture. He was always in search of people like him, going through the same things he does. When he learned of the American Indian Movement, that’s when his life changed forever. It didn’t take long before Peltier became one of the members of the AIM, and was soon known as an activist for the American Indians. Because of his voice, and his leadership in the AMI, the government kept a close eye on him. In the 1960’s, the Indian People decided enough was enough. They weren’t going to tolerate the government’s refusal to honor treaties and land rights. After the fishing rights where threatened, AIM decided it was time for a change thus creating The American Indian Movement. Leonard Peltier was one of the main leaders during this time.
Protesting injustices against their tribes, violations of treaties and current abuses, the AIM and many other Native Americans began their 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee and South Dakota on February 27, 1973. The U.S Government then responded to the protest with military style assault against the protestors. The way the government handled it was deemed unlawful. This started what their Natives called “The Reign of Terror”, the FBI used intensive surveillance, harassments, and multiple arrest on AMI leaders. Sixty-Four Native Americans were murdered. Close to three hundred where beaten, or harassed. The FBI refused to investigate any of it, even though they had jurisdiction. As the FBI started its buildup of agents on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the murdered rate climbed. All of this set the scene, for the events to come. Tensions was high on either side.
On June 26th, 1975, the events that took place on Jumping Bull Ranch changed Peltier’s life forever. Two FBI agents entered onto the private property seeking out an Indian man on burglary charges, they said he was in a red truck pickup truck and they saw him turn into the reservation. For reasons unknown, a shootout occurred. Not only did a Native American lose his life, so did the two FBI agents. The Native American death was never investigated. The government said that “the two agents where shot through the head at close range.” (Harbury) FBI surrounded the ranch along with police, SWAT, and the BIA. Leonard Peltier was present along with two other AIM members, all three of the men were charged with murder but the charges were dropped against the two other men because the government said there wasn’t any proof that they shot the agents. However, Leonard Peltier got stuck with the murder charges due to a testimony by what the government now says was not an accurate testimony due to mental illness. The three other witnesses said they had been threatened by the FBI, and that in return made them give inaccurate statements. There was never an actual witness who saw Peltier do it. The FBI had been after Peltier for years, and they finally had him. The U.S Attorney General admits that to this day there still isn’t any evidence linking Peltier to killing the agents. Peltier was not granted a fair trial, and the FBI fabricated things to try and make it seem like Peltier did it. (Britannica)
“More recently, it also has been made clear that Mr. Peltier will not receive parole until he “recognizes his crime” or in short, confesses to a crime that he did not commit.” (Harbury)
To this day, Leonard Peltier has been in prison for twenty-nine years for something he did not do and that no one can physically prove. What happen to innocent until proven guilty? Justice has not been done in this case. However, Peltier’s life has not gone completely to waste. The things this man has accomplished behind bars is extraordinary. Not only did he remain an activist fort the American Indian Movement, he also is a humanitarian, an author, and an artist. His work has changed the lives of so many people, cultures and activist groups.
After the peaceful takeover of Fort Lawton is when Peltier decided to join the American Indian Movement.

He wanted to help his people any way that he could, be the voice for his people. From behind bars this man has made numerous contributions to different organizations and humanitarian groups. He stands for peaceful resolution in issues that deal with his people and the respect for others. In collaboration with Dr. Steward Silkin, they created what is called the Rosebud Reservation. It is a program to fundamentally alter health care on on reservations throughout the U.S. He has also worked in collaboration with Professor Jeffery Timmons to create a program that helps to teach young Native Americans economics and business ownership. Peltier fought for many civil rights for the Native Americans, participated in movements. He had gone to Piney Ridge to help his people get what they deserved. Promises made by the U.S Government for living conditions to get better, and rights to their lands. It was already a high tension atmosphere when Peltier arrived on the reservation, not to mention the FBI had already been illegally keeping tabs on Peltier.

(Harbury)
Along with his role as an activist in the AIM, he has also accomplished a lot of humanitarian work and charitable causes.

In 1992 Peltier created a scholarship at New York University for young Native Americans who wanted to obtain law degrees. Not only did he raise two grandchildren from prison, he has funded a father raising two children through Child Reach. There is one located in El Salvador, and another in Guatemala. On Christmas every day, Peltier sponsors a food and gift drive for the children on Pine Ridge. Peltier is also a huge sponsor of the Head Start Programs. In prison, Peltier has helped many Native American inmates along with others to rehabilitate themselves by teaching a drug free and alcohol free lifestyle. He educates them on their culture and lifestyle, teaching them to be proud of where they come from. (Harbury)
“Painting is a way to examine the world in ways denied me by the United States justice system, a way to travel beyond the walls and bars of the penitentiary. Through my paints I can be with my People—in touch with my culture, tradition, and spirit. I can watch little children in regalia, dancing and smiling; see my elders in prayer; behold the intense glow in a warrior’s eye. As I work the canvas, I am a free man.” – Leonard Peltier

(Committee)
Although Leonard Peltier must purchase his art supplies from the prison commissary that aren’t always available, Peltier still manages to create beautiful artwork that captures the heart of the Native American culture. He lives through his paintings and gets lost in the idea of being a free man. Peltier donates his paintings to the defense committee to help raise funds for his freedom. He also donates to numerous charities and events. Painting is Peltier’s way of escaping the everyday life of being a prisoner. (Committee)
After doing my research on this remarkable man and his life, I am dumbfounded that history textbooks aren’t even mentioning him and the events of 1975. After all that he has been through, most importantly his unjust imprisonment over something that he did not do, all because the government can’t and won’t admit to being wrong. This kind of retaliation on the governments part cannot be tolerated. One would think textbooks would want to include Peltier and his life story. After reading through court documents, and case facts, I’ve noticed the discrepancies throughout all of it. I for one, believe this man innocent, and should be freed. The fact that the U.S Attorney General has stated:
“...We had a murder, we had numerous shooters, we do not know who specifically fired what killing shots. We do not know, quote-unquote, who shot the agents.” (Harbury)
That should be enough. However, for whatever reason Leonard Peltier still sits in prison awaiting his next parole hearing in 2024 after being denied by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. He will be remembered has an Activist for his people, a humanitarian, an artist, a father, a grandfather and one of the biggest political prisoners. He is remembered not only because of who is and what he has done, but also because of how the government has treated Peltier and his case.