Former AIM Leader Russell Means Diagnosed with Life Threatening Throat Cancer

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

Russell Means-Lakota

LAKOTAH, SOUTH DAKOTA - Russell Means, Lakota, who gained international notoriety as a leader of the American Indian Movement in the 1970s, has been diagnosed with throat cancer and was told he only has several months to live.

In a candid video released online and runs 14 minutes and 47 seconds, Means outlines the details of his life threatening health condition and the options presented to him by physicians from the UCLA Medical Center.

A non smoker, Means cancerous tumor is in a rare location on his throat, the one physicians indicated that she has never seen a tumor in a patient located there.

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

Russell Means discusses his health challenges.

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.

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

Means is married to Gloria Means, a Diné educator. He has two sons with his current wife and eight other children from previous marriages.

Find more about Russell Means at his website Russell Means Freedom »

posted August 12, 2011 10:45 am edt