Dennis Banks Visits an Ailing Russell Means

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

SAN JOSE, NEW MEXICO - In its glory days, the American Indian Movement served as a major catalyst for the resurgence for American Indians throughout the United States.

Dennis Banks, Ojibwa and Russell Means, Lakota meet in New Mexico

During the 1970s, Dennis Banks, Ojibwa, and Russell Means, Lakota, emerged as two of the American Indian Movement's most recognizable leaders. Some could argue they have been the most visible and vocal American Indian leaders during the past half-century.

Together they fought for American Indian rights. Both men led the American Indian Movement's 71-day siege at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Both men were indicted and put on trial and were tried together in St. Paul, Minnesota in a trial that lasted some eight months. Both men were freed when the Federal Judge Fred Nichol dismissed charges against them and accused the US Department of Justice and the FBI with misconduct because of their tactics used in their attempt to prosecute both men.

Over the ensuing decades, both men have remained fighters for American Indian rights.

Both men were together again in New Mexico last week Thursday, as Means is in the fight for his life. In July he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer and elected not have surgery which would have required removal of a major portion of his tongue.

Dennis Banks, Russell Means with Artist Paul Collins

Banks flew to Albuquerque and traveled to visit to see Means at his rural home near San Jose, New Mexico.

“He is a fighter. He is in the battle with cancer and seeking alternative healing,”

Banks told the Native News Network Friday evening.

“He is still very strong - strong-minded, and robust as ever,”

Banks continued.

“We both talked about establishing a health agenda. We both have had serious health issues,”

said Banks.

Means is relying on American Indian spiritual healers to assist him with his treatment.

Accompanying Banks on the visit was Paul Collins and his wife, Carol. Paul Collins is an internationally-acclaimed artist who met both men at Wounded Knee in 1973. At the time, Collins was there painting a series of portraits, which resulted in "Other Voices- A Native American Tableau."

After many years as an American Indian activist, Means became a Hollywood actor. Since 1992, he has appeared in "The Last of the Mohicans," "The Pathfinder," "Natural Born Killers," "Windrunner: A Spirited Journey," "Thomas and the Magic Railroad." His served as the voice of Chief Pawhatan in "Pocahontas" in the hit 1995 Disney movie.

Also, during 1995, Means released his autobiography, "Where White Men Fear to Tread," co-written with Marvin J. Wolf.

On Saturday, Banks was back home in Minnesota and will try to go back to spend some extended time with Means.

Photos are courtesy of Carol Collins

posted September 6, 2011 6:00 am edt

Mike Levinson  Not rated yet
I'm curious: Has Russell Means ever regretted supporting the contras in Nicaragua?

Tova Kopperud  Not rated yet
Please read Suzanne Somers' book "Breakthrough" about alternative cancer treatments. She writes about her interviews with several doctors who cures cancer ...

Power a spiritual journey  Not rated yet
Everything we feel and experience is apart of life's journey, these two men helped our nation bring to life the real atrocities which we suffered. I have ...

Consultant  Not rated yet
Dennis Banks and Russell Means are the true legends of American Indian History today...I am very happy to know that this two men had another opportunity ...

Chairman, Sandy Lake Band of Ojibwe  Not rated yet
Hi Russell:
you don't know me personally, they call me Jr. Skinaway, Dolly is like a sister to me, I've known her family years, I hope the best for you,...

Was just wondering  Not rated yet
Was just wondering if Brother Means knows about Laetrile? If not, here is a link to some of the info available: http://www.cancertutor.com/Cancer/Laetrile....