Russell Means Receives Red Nation Film Lifetime Achievement Award

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

Russell and Pearl Means

LOS ANGELES - Russell Means received the "Oyate Wayanka Po Win Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 8th Annual Red Nation Film Festival gala last Monday in Los Angeles, California.

Means, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer of his esophagus in July, attended the gala event with his wife, Pearl.

Since July Means has undergone extensive tomotherapy, an intensity modulated radiation treatment, at the Sunridge Medical Wellness Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, Means has participated in several traditional Indigenous ceremonies provided by Oglala and Navajo medicine men.

Means gained international fame as one of the most prominent American Indian Movement leaders during the 1970s. Since then, he has worked for American Indian rights and human rights throughout Indian Country and in other spots around the world.

In the early 1990s, 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.

The Red Nation Film Festival is dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype with recognition, new vision, arts, culture and economic prosperity by placing American Indian Filmmakers at the forefront of the entertainment industry and to introduce American Indian Filmmakers and Native Talent to larger, global mainstream.

The 2011 Red Nation Film Festival gala will premiere on Red Nation Television Channel, the first American Indian Television Channel on the internet on Thanksgiving weekend.

posted November 14, 2011 6:00 am est