Leonard Peltier Speaks on the Occasion of the 30th Anniversary of
the Jumping Bull Shootout
6/26/05

NDN Issues  AIM  Environment & Wildlife  Federally Recognized Tribes  Genocide  Indians as Mascots  Leonard Peltier  Repatriation  Sovereignty Tribal Gaming

 Hau Kola,

I know this is a dictated speech that is going to be read to you,  however,
I want to speak to you as if I were there, or should I say, here with you.
Every year someone or some people at Oglala remember the sacrifices of the
people who were there trying to make a difference for our people.  And every
year I remember the ones who aren't with us, the ones who can no longer be
with us, and the sacrifices that they made.

Sometimes I'm at a loss for words for the heartfelt appreciation I have
that you would remember all of those that gave their lives - as Joe Stuntz
did; and, all of those who continue to strive in so many different ways to
serve the people.

 I deeply regret that I can't be there with you.  But yet in a way, I  have
to count my blessings.  I have lived to see changes take place for our
people.  Though they are not as good as I would wish, there have  been
changes brought about by Joe Stuntz and others who have sacrificed  in some
way for our people.  As I said, I have to be grateful because,
although in a limited way, I have had the chance to get to know my children,
some of my grandchildren, and they in turn have gotten to know me; something
that my brother Joe and so many others who lost their lives fighting for the
people, did not have an opportunity to do.

 When I first came here, I was considered a young warrior and now within  my
circle, I am looked upon as an Elder- Something that hopefully all of  you
will come to be a part of in your lifetime.  I had a friend once, an
Elder who has since gone on, who once said to me that every person that  he
had consulted with on their death bed had spoken of the Creator and their
family. That became the highest priority in their life and what  was left of
it.  And he spoke to me of many because he had been an emergency room
technician at one time.  In thinking and remembering
this, it always reminds me of the Sundance and the Sweat lodge and how  the
extremes of pain and sacrifice always seem to bring those same concerns to
mind.  Each of us - from the day we are born, to the time that we pass on,
should remember to talk to the Creator and pray for our relatives.

 Forgive me if I sound a little sentimental or dramatic, but I've
experienced thirty years of dying, thirty years of hearing that some of my
relatives have gone on, thirty years of praying for our people, and I am so
grateful that the Creator has allowed me to talk to you in some way and let
you know that you are my family.  You are my relatives.  You are my young
warriors and my Elders.  And, if I am remembered for anything at all, I want
it to be that I never gave up - for you.  I want
you to know that I have faith in you, that one day your efforts will bring
about a stronger nation; a nation where alcoholism, diabetes, suicide, and
poverty do not control the lives of our people.

I know lately there has been a lot of concern and rumors about various
individuals who have collaborated in some way with the government against
their own people, people who are giving away some of our sovereignty; giving
away our right to determine our own destiny and to handle our own affairs.
With this in mind, I want to encourage you to  remember always who we are
and I want to ask you to remind yourselves that this is our land, given to
us by the Creator, and our freedom was given to us by the Creator.  The
forest, the trees, the animals, the prairie - were all given to us by the
Creator.  No man of any nation or color or origin has the right to take that
away.  We have the right, given to us by the Creator, to resist; to protect
our own; to stand firm on the principles and the teachings the Creator has
given our people for
thousands of years.

 We are a beautiful people; we have a beautiful culture, and we should seek
to join with all our brothers and sisters and relatives of other Indigenous
nations who are faced with the same dangers of loss.  There is an old
Cheyenne saying I once heard that a Nation is never defeated until the
hearts of it's women are on the ground.  The hearts of our women may be low,
but they are not on the ground and I damn sure ain't gonna let it happen on
my shift.  I love you to the nth degree.   I
always will.  You will always be in my prayers.  Do what you can, where you
can, from where you stand and - to quote Sitting Bull - let's see what kind
of nation we can make for our children.  I don't say I love you easily but I
want you to know that I love you - my heart is with you and never, never,
never .give up !

 Before I finish, I want to say thank you, though I was told by an Elder
that it was better to show your thanks with your deeds and your gifts,
rather than just speaking it with your mouth.  I apologize that I have
nothing to give but I want you to know that you have my prayers, my
thoughts, and what is left of my life.  I will always be with you.

 Your relative!

 In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
 Leonard Peltier