Oglala Sioux President Declares 'War on Cancer' after Passing of Russell Means

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION – After Oglala Sioux Tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele heard the news of Russell Means' passing, he decided it is time to declare "war on cancer" in Indian country by having the Oglala Sioux Tribe host a national conference on cancer prevention and treatments.

Oglala Sioux President Yellow Bird Steele

“Although Russell was high profile, his death exemplifies the many, many cancer deaths that occur in Indian country each year caused by the lack of education on cancer prevention, bad diets and good medical care because many oncologists are trained to use only conventional modalities such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery as the solution instead of including alternative therapies such as diet, exercise, and spirituality,”

stated President Yellow Bird Steele.

President Yellow Bird Steele remembered Means, who was a personal friend as well as a political opponent, by referencing his positive accomplishments during his lifetime.

President Yellow Bird Steele stated:

"It is with great sadness to learn about the death of Russell Means. I am asking everyone to remember Russell for all of his positive accomplishments and the good things he did during his lifetime, which include:

Helping instill pride of being Indian throughout Indian country;
Helping to bring awareness to and changing public discourse on Native American political issues
Becoming a role model for many Indian youth by becoming recording artists and a movie actor and showing that Indian people can succeed in the entertainment world; and
Being patriotic to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and for being a strong advocate for Native Americans nationally.

I would like to see Indian country declare war on cancer, which is now an epidemic throughout Indian country,"

commented President Yellow Bird Steele.

“I will be asking the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council to sponsor a national conference in Rapid City on "Declaring War on Cancer in Indian country" later this year, with an emphasis on prevention and on alternative therapies to cancer treatment along with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation.”

Earlier this year, President John Yellow Bird Steele declared June 26, 2012 as "Russell Means Day" by issuing a Presidential Proclamation entitled "Proclamation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to Honor Russell Means for his Life-Long Accomplishments, Dedication and Patriotism to the Oglala Sioux Oyate and Oglala Sioux Tribe."

posted October 25, 2012 8:50 am edt