Russell means biography
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According to Means, “Chief Wahoo” “… epitomizes the stereotyped images of the American Indian,” and “… attacks the cultural heritage of the American Indian and destroys Indian pride.” The $9 million lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians baseball club for its Chief Wahoo mascot was settled out of court in 1983 for $35,000.3
Although there is controversy surrounding many of Means’ activities, both here in Cleveland, and throughout the nation many years thereafter, Means has been described as “… more than a leader, and by many accounts, more than a man: he was a living example of the struggle of the First Nations people.
Indeed, “The cost to ‘relocated’ Indians was often steep: some adjusted but many others suffered economic hardship and overt discrimination after being abruptly disconnected from their cultures and plunged into an urban society that knew little about them.” 1
The center aimed to help Cleveland’s native American population adapt to urban life and opened as a cultural and social service center in the basement of St.
John’s Episcopal Church.2 (Today, approximately 5,000 Natives live in the Greater Cleveland area.)
It was at this time serving as executive director of the American Indian Center that Means met the founders of AIM, which he joined at age 30. “You can only judge it by the effects it will have on non-European peoples.
As a result of this connection, “Cleveland was one of the launching pads for the national Indian rights movement” (https://case.edu/ech/articles/m/means-russell) and sought to remedy the problems associated with the relocation to unfamiliar urban environments, far from family, traditions, and lacking on employment and educational opportunities.
In 1972, Means also filed a $9 million lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians baseball team for its use of “Chief Wahoo,” the team’s traditional mascot.
Means was also committed to promoting sustainable living and protecting the environment, which he saw as an essential aspect of Native American culture. The organization was committed to fighting against the social and political inequalities that Native Americans faced, such as poverty, discrimination, and a lack of access to education and healthcare.
Means' Role in AIM and Major Protests
Russell Means quickly became one of the most visible and vocal members of AIM.
He was involved in numerous protests and demonstrations, including the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Washington, D.C. in 1972.
One of the most significant protests that Means was involved in was the Wounded Knee Occupation in 1973. We knew the winds and the clouds, the rivers and the lakes.
Cleveland’s Forgotten Voices: Russell Means
Russell Means of the American Indian Movement, founder of Cleveland’s American Indian Center, speaking at the City Club, 1978. Last year he told the Rapid City Journal: “I thought Jim Thorpe was,” he said with a grin. He is best known for his roles in the films "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Natural Born Killers." Means was also a talented writer and wrote several books, including his autobiography "Where White Men Fear to Tread."Preserving Native American Culture and Heritage
Throughout his life, Russell Means was committed to preserving Native American culture and heritage.
Means’ contributions to the Civil Rights movement and the American Indian Movement will forever be remembered and celebrated, and his story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was Russell Means' role in the American Indian Movement (AIM)?
Russell Means was a prominent leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and played a significant role in many of the group's major protests and actions.
He believed that it was essential to keep traditional customs and beliefs alive, and he worked tirelessly to promote cultural awareness and pride. He was a passionate advocate for Native American sovereignty, treaty rights, and land reclamation. He received 12 stitches to close the wound.
1976
Survived another assassination attempt in South Dakota when he was shot in the chest.
Led a caravan of 500 Sioux and Cheyenne during the centennial of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s last stand at Little Big Horn in Montana.
1978
Participated in the “longest walk” when American Indians walked from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., which was the largest, single-day peaceful protest up to that time.
Apart from being an activist, he was an actor, writer, and musician.
Family Background and Early Life
Russell Means was born to his parents, Harold and Theodora Means.
These experiences would shape his future activism and his desire to fight for the rights of Native Americans.
2. Involvement in the American Indian Movement (AIM)
AIM's Goals and Mission
AIM was founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the goal of promoting the rights and interests of Native Americans.
In this article, we will take a deeper look into the life of Russell Means, exploring his childhood, activism, acting career, political campaigns and controversies, legacy, and personal life.
1. The occupation lasted for 71 days and resulted in the federal government negotiating with AIM and addressing some of their concerns.
Conflicts and Controversies within AIM
While Means and others within AIM were successful in promoting Native American rights, the organization was not without its controversies.
He was known to oppose gaming on reservations, arguing that it diverted attention and money away from more meaningful issues facing indigenous people. Personal Life and Passing of Russell Means
Family Life and Relationships
Russell Means was married four times and had a total of ten children. We are part of the earth, but not the most important part.”
“Sadly, the white man equates happiness with the pleasing of his senses.