Who Is Leonard Peltier A Hero

Leonard Peltier, a man who many believe was wrongly accused and charged with the shooting and killing of two FBI agents during the summer of 1975. Peltier was sentenced to life in prison, ordered to serve two consecutive life terms for something that even the government can’t prove he did. To this day, he still sits in a high security prison in Florida. Leonard Peltier is an activist humanitarian, political hero to the Native Americans and some will even say a martyr. He is an active member of the American Indian Movement, also known as AMI. He has fought for equal rights, the lands and the culture of American Indians. Yet, he sits in prison wrongly accused. Peltier has many different followers, along with many people who say he is guilty and

He wanted to help his people any way that he could, be the voice for his people. From behind bars this man has made numerous contributions to different organizations and humanitarian groups. He stands for peaceful resolution in issues that deal with his people and the respect for others. In collaboration with Dr. Steward Silkin, they created what is called the Rosebud Reservation. It is a program to fundamentally alter health care on on reservations throughout the U.S. He has also worked in collaboration with Professor Jeffery Timmons to create a program that helps to teach young Native Americans economics and business ownership. Peltier fought for many civil rights for the Native Americans, participated in movements. He had gone to Piney Ridge to help his people get what they deserved. Promises made by the U.S Government for living conditions to get better, and rights to their lands. It was already a high tension atmosphere when Peltier arrived on the reservation, not to mention the FBI had already been illegally keeping tabs on Peltier.

In 1992 Peltier created a scholarship at New York University for young Native Americans who wanted to obtain law degrees. Not only did he raise two grandchildren from prison, he has funded a father raising two children through Child Reach. There is one located in El Salvador, and another in Guatemala. On Christmas every day, Peltier sponsors a food and gift drive for the children on Pine Ridge. Peltier is also a huge sponsor of the Head Start Programs. In prison, Peltier has helped many Native American inmates along with others to rehabilitate themselves by teaching a drug free and alcohol free lifestyle. He educates them on their culture and lifestyle, teaching them to be proud of where they come from. (Harbury) “Painting is a way to examine the world in ways denied me by the United States justice system, a way to travel beyond the walls and bars of the penitentiary. Through my paints I can be with my People—in touch with my culture, tradition, and spirit. I can watch little children in regalia, dancing and smiling; see my elders in prayer; behold the intense glow in a warrior’s eye. As I work the canvas, I am a free man.” – Leonard Peltier