Russell Means

Definition

Russell Means was a prominent American Indian activist and actor who played a significant role in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the fight for Native American rights and sovereignty. He was a charismatic leader who brought national attention to the struggles and injustices faced by Native American communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Russell Means was a co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and played a leading role in many of the organization's high-profile protests and occupations.
2. He gained national attention in 1973 for his involvement in the Wounded Knee incident, a 71-day occupation of the town of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
3. Means advocated for the restoration of treaty rights, the return of stolen lands, and the recognition of Native American sovereignty, often through confrontational and controversial tactics.
4. Beyond his activism, Means also had a successful acting career, appearing in films such as 'The Last of the Mohicans' and 'Pocahontas', where he lent his voice to the character of Powhatan.
5. Means' charismatic leadership and willingness to use civil disobedience and confrontation made him a polarizing figure, both celebrated by supporters and criticized by opponents of the American Indian Movement.

Review Questions

• Describe the role of Russell Means in the American Indian Movement and the key goals he advocated for.
  • Russell Means was a co-founder and prominent leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a political and social movement that emerged in the late 1960s to advocate for Native American rights, self-determination, and the restoration of treaty obligations by the U.S. government. Means played a leading role in many of AIM's high-profile protests and occupations, such as the Wounded Knee incident in 1973, where he and other AIM members occupied the town of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to draw attention to the struggles and injustices faced by Native American communities. Means was a charismatic and confrontational activist who advocated for the restoration of treaty rights, the return of stolen lands, and the recognition of Native American sovereignty, often through controversial tactics.
• Analyze the impact of Russell Means' activism and the American Indian Movement on the broader struggle for Native American rights and self-determination.
  • The American Indian Movement, led by figures like Russell Means, had a significant impact on the broader struggle for Native American rights and self-determination. Through high-profile protests and occupations, such as the Wounded Knee incident, AIM brought national attention to the longstanding issues and injustices faced by Native American communities, including the violation of treaty rights, the loss of land, and the lack of sovereignty and self-governance. Means' charismatic leadership and willingness to use confrontational tactics helped to galvanize support for the movement and pressured the U.S. government to address these issues, leading to some policy changes and concessions. However, the movement also faced significant backlash and resistance, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving true self-determination and sovereignty for Native American nations.
• Evaluate the legacy of Russell Means and the American Indian Movement in the context of identity politics and the broader struggle for minority rights and representation in the United States.
  • The legacy of Russell Means and the American Indian Movement is deeply intertwined with the broader struggle for minority rights and representation in the United States. As a prominent leader of AIM, Means embodied the principles of identity politics, advocating for the recognition and empowerment of Native American communities in the face of systemic marginalization and oppression. The movement's confrontational tactics and demands for sovereignty and self-determination challenged the dominant political and social structures, forcing the U.S. government and the public to confront the long-standing injustices and inequities faced by Native Americans. While the movement's impact was limited in some ways, it nonetheless played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of Native Americans and inspiring subsequent generations of activists and movements fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. Means' legacy as a charismatic and unapologetic advocate for Native American identity and self-determination continues to resonate and shape the ongoing struggle for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Related terms

American Indian Movement (AIM): A political and social movement that emerged in the late 1960s to advocate for Native American rights, self-determination, and the restoration of treaty obligations by the U.S. government.

Wounded Knee Incident: A 1973 occupation of the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, by members of the American Indian Movement, in protest of the U.S. government's treatment of Native Americans and to demand the restoration of treaty rights.

Sovereignty: The ability of a nation or people to govern themselves and make decisions without external control or interference, a key goal of the American Indian Movement.