"Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement"

[Sequoia]

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SXRBME7PL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

(amazon.com)

This book has been out since 2004 and I found out about it from a post by countallvotes (thanks!) when Dennis was at Fresno State a few weeks ago. I remember hearing about the 1973 incident at Wounded Knee when I was in high school and reading about it from his viewpoint rather rounded out what I've read from other accounts (Russel Means and Mary Crow Dog). A name pops up that I had seen on DU in the past...William Janklow who was the SD state attorney general who raped a NA and was never charged. Now, on DU the posting was about how he was driving and killed a motorcyclist and seemed to be getting away with it. Some justice he got, 100 days in jail.
-----
Prosecutors said Janklow -- who had boasted about his lead-foot driving in the past -- was going at least 70 mph in a 55 mph zone at the time of the collision. He suffered head, hand and leg injuries in the accident.

At a news conference before the trial, Janklow said he "couldn't be sorrier" about the accident, but he bristled at reporters who questioned him about his driving record, which included 13 traffic citations since 1990.

During the trial, his attorneys argued that a diabetic reaction had contributed to the crash. But a jury brushed aside that argument and convicted him in December.

(http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/01/22/janklow.sentencing/)

AND:

However, in 1966, while working as the tribal attorney for the Rosebud Sioux, Janklow--aged 27--was accused of raping his children's 15-year-old babysitter, Jancita Eagle Deer. Adult sexual offenses being more grave than this earlier recorded exploit, Janklow used his capacity as head of reservation legal services to stave off the (illegible) of formal, federal charges. He then resigned his position and left tribal jurisdiction.<snip>

It only gets creepier, and Dennis Banks has a whole chapter about Jancita and the FBI spy who went so far as to dye his hair and wear brown contacts, and plant bogus stories in the newspaper. Though never proved it seems the spy got in the good graces of Janicita, and finllay killed her after beating her up and pushing her out of a traveling car.

http://www.dlncoalition.org/dln_issues/strangecaseofjanklow.htm

Janlow has never been charged and he's a free man today. Another demon walking the earth.

[IndyOp]

1. Dennis Banks pins a medal on Cindy Sheehan, in recognition of her warrior status

Dennis Banks drove all the way to Texas to present Cindy with a shawl and pin and to recognize her as a warrior. If she had been an enrolled Native American he could have presented her with an Eagle Feather - which is more typical for a ceremony in which someone is declared a warrior.

[Sequoia]

2. I remember that now! Cool!

Hang in there Cindy. You're a true patriot! Even the little caterpillar has to rest so it can become a butterfly.

[IndyOp]

3. What a wonderful thought - the resting caterpillar. :-) (n/t)

[Sequoia]

4. Thanks. We had a little caterpillar my daughter found on a stick

last fall and we brought it in as it was getting cold at night. Then one morning we uncoved the box and there sat a little butterfly so we opened the door and away she flew.

[IndyOp]

5. Kicking. We need role models like Dennis - now more than ever.

[IndyOp]

6. Kick...

[NightWatcher]

7. Great book, might I make some other reccomendations

Where White Men Fear To Tread by Russell Means
and
My Life Is My Sundance by Leonard Peltier

all three of these make a great introduction into the world of the American Indian activist and the background of the movement.

Mitakuye Oyasin (To All Of My Relations)- in other words, we are all related.

[Sequoia]

8. Thanks.

I have read Russel's book but not Leonard's. Hopefully the library will have a copy.