Tribute To Russell Means

Russell Means announced in August 2011 that he had developed inoperable throat cancer and decided against mainstream medical treatments in favor of traditional American Indian remedies. He died early Monday, Oct. 22, at his ranch in in Porcupine, S.D., according Oglala Sioux Tribe spokeswoman Donna Salomon. He was 72. (Adapted from Bio at RussellMeans.com) Russell Means lived a life like few others in this century – revered for his selfless accomplishments and remarkable bravery. He was born into a society and guided by way of life that gently denies the self in order to promote the survival and betterment of family and community. His culture was driven by tradition, which at once links the past to the present. The L.A. Times has called him the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. His indomitable sense of pride and leadership has become embedded in our national character. His path brought him to Hollywood, thus enabling him to use different means to communicate his vital truths. Through the power of media, his vision was to create peaceful and positive images celebrating the magic and mystery of his American Indian heritage. In contemplating the fundamental issues about the world in which we live, he was committed to educating all people about our most crucial battle – the preservation of the earth. Thirty years ago, reflecting the consciousness of the sixties, he captured national attention when he led the 71-day armed takeover on the sacred grounds of Wounded Knee, a tiny hamlet in the heart of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. Means joined “The Longest Walk” in 1978 to protest a new tide of anti-Indian legislation including the forced sterilization of Indian women. Following the walk, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution saying that national policy was to protect the rights of Indians, ?to believe, express and exercise their traditional religions, including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.? With the same passionate determination, he also directed his energy towards the entertainment industry. In a record period of time, this famed political activist and early leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM) became immersed in all five corners of the business, with projects including: Lead roles in major feature films, (The Last of the Mohicans, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, as a chief in John Candy’s comedy Wagons East and as the ghost of Jim Thorpe in Wind Runner); Disney’s third highest ever selling video (Pocahantas) in which he was the voice of Pocahontas’ father, a television documentary for HBO (Paha Sapa), (Indian Father and Son) a pilot he created; Two albums of protest music with lyrics he wrote (Electric Warrior and The Radical). On the technological side, he stars in a CD-ROM (Under A Killing Moon) and created his own website www.russellmeans.com. The website has featured information regarding the A.I.M. club, his recordings via the American Indian Music Company, his art, book, current events and biography. Born on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation in 1939, Russell Means was the eldest son of Hank Means, an Oglala Sioux, and Theodora (Feather) Means, a full-blooded Yankton Sioux. Shortly after the outbreak of WWII, his family moved to California, where he graduated from San Leandro High in 1958 and continued his formal education at Oakland City College and Arizona State. Russell’s commitment to uplift the plight of his people escalated when he served as director of Cleveland’s American Indian Center. It was there he met Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, and embarked upon a relationship that would rocket them both into national prominence. During this period, Russell staged numerous events designed to bring dignity to the American Indian. His most famous act of defiance, however, occurred at Wounded Knee on February 27, 1973. Responding to the numerous murders perpetrated by puppet tribal governments and the extreme conditions of oppression, the takeover at Wounded Knee revisited the sight of the American Indian massacre at the hands of U.S. soldiers in 1890. Ever vigilant for his cause, Russell has been lauded by the international community for his tireless efforts. Russell split his time between San Jose, NM, his ranch on the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian reservation, Porcupine, SD and his office in Santa Monica, CA. He took pride in having instituted programs for the betterment of his people: notable, the Porcupine Health Clinic (the only non government funded clinic in Indian Country) and KILI radio, the first Indian owned radio station. Recently his principle goal was the establishment of a ?Total Immersion School?, which is based on a concept created by the Maori people of New Zealand, where children are immersed in the language, culture, science, music and storytelling of their own people. Russell was working to adapt this total immersion concept to the Indian way of life and philosophy which is taught from a perspective that will nurture a new generation of proud children educated in the context of their own heritage. Russell Means devoted his life to eliminating racism of any kind, and in so doing he leaves a historical imprint as the most revolutionary Indian leader of the late twentieth century. An inspirational visionary, Russell Means was one of the most magnetic voices in modern America. Whether leading a protest, fighting for constitutional rights, starring in a motion picture, or performing his “rap-ajo” music, the message he delivered was consistent with the philosophy he lived by, which states: The Universe which controls all life, has a female and male balance that is prevalent throughout our Sacred Grandmother, the Earth. This balance has to be acknowledged and become the determining factor in all of one’s decisions, be they spiritual, social, healthful, educational or economical. Once the balance has become an integral part of one’s life, all planning, research, direct action and follow-up becomes a matter of course. The goals that were targeted become a reality on a consistent basis. Good things happen to good People; remember time is on your side. Mitaku Oyasin (we are all related) +++ LRI Tribute to Russell Means

American Indian Activist Russell Means Now Walks Among His Ancestors

Activist and actor Russell Means died on Monday in Porcupine, S.D. at the age of 72. The Oglala Sioux was an early leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and had been battling throat cancer for years. In 1973 Means was one of the leaders of a 71-day uprising at Wounded Knee in South Dakota between Lakota and FBI and law enforcement agents. Means also acted in a number of movies including the role of chief Chingachgook in The Last of the Mohicans. Means' wife and children released this statement on his passing: Our dad and husband, now walks among our ancestors. He began his journey to the spirit world at 4:44 am, with the Morning Star, at his home and ranch in Porcupine. There will be four opportunities for the people to honor his life to be announced at a later date. Thank you for your prayers and continued support. We love you. As our dad and husband would always say, “May the Great Mystery continue to guide and protect the paths of you and your loved ones.” In a post on his own website Saturday, Means wrote that he was moved by support he and his family had received since his battle with cancer was made public, and told his fans, "I, like all of us, will eventually join my ancestors, and when I do, my hope is that you will all continue to dedicate yourselves to the work to which I have tried to commit my life — liberation and freedom for my Lakota people, for all indigenous peoples, and, in fact, for ALL peoples."

Russell Means Beats Cancer

#Russell Means On The Meaning Of Life

NOTE: Russ has much more to say than just the corruption about the Medical Gulag.

#Russell Means Winning Battle Against Terminal Cancer ~ Natural treatments only!

NOTE: This is inspirational for all of us. Just weeks ago Russell could barely speak, the cancer was in his throat and had spread to his neck and lungs. He wisely completely rejected all conventional medical industry. He used only prayer and natural therapy. He sounds terrific. Some of the therapy used are herbal, ceremonial, Oxygenation.

Bravo Russell!

Russell Means Appeals For Prayers & Help Against Cancer

Russell Means Has Encouraging News Re His Cancer

I want to thank you for your heartfelt love and for your extreme concern about my health. I never expected within my lifetime, I would experience such a world wide out pour of pure love. Believe me it goes a long way toward defeating this cancer.

Robby Romero and co- producer camera man, Dave Schweitzer are doing a documentary retrospective of my life and this fight to defeat this cancer. Thanks to this documentary and their interviewing of my doctors, did I realize out how super serious my condition WAS. The doctor who is in charge of my tomo therapy is the only doctor in the united states of america that can directly program and apply this machine that can pin point and kill the cancer cells without damaging my good cells and other sensitive tissue in my body like the conventional radiation used by all other Oncologists in the united states.

I found out that I was literally days away from the tumor in my throat closing my windpipe and forcing me to have a tracheotomy which would have begun my spiral down to death. The worst part would have been my deteriorating quality of life until I expired.

Please understand, even the doctors with these alternative cancer treatments I am receiving at Sunridge Medical as well as the Tomo treatment credit Indian Medicines I have received from Mexico, Canada, the Lakotas and the Navajo that have brought me along and have given me the strength to defeat cancer. I also found out the cancer in my body is much more wide spread than I originally thought. Please try to understand the spiritual direction I received in ceremony(s) brought me to Sunridge and Dr. Grado the Tomo specialist. The Great Mystery works in wondrous ways.

Pete Catches, a strong spiritual Oglala Medicine Man told us in AIM back in the 1970′s that there will be times when we have to use the white man to fight his diseases.

It is nothing short of miraculous that we found the only two cancer treatments that can actually defeat this filthy disease. I credit the Great Mystery for leading us, Pearl and I.

I also want everyone to know the wonder and the love from my wife Pearl. Without her strength love and dedication and her research on cancer, I would not be anywhere near I am today.

I just received good news, the tumor in my throat has diminished significantly. I have my voice back and my ability to swallow is back up to around 90 percent (coming from about zero, for a while only water could get through). So please continue those prayers and that love coming my way because in the end you are all part of the Great Mystery.

Love, your Brother Russ

NOTE: Please continue to send healing prayers, energy and love to our brother!