Dear Supporters:
My wonderful bride of forty-nine years reads the
newspaper from cover to cover (clipping coupons as she goes), cutting out
articles she knows I may have an interest in, and leaving them on the kitchen
table so I can read them while having breakfast before leaving for work in the
morning.
One recent notice she immediately flagged, “Native
American Activist to visit area next week.” The short article announced that Dennis
Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement would be leading a 3,600 mile
walk across America from La Jolla, California to Washington, D.C. in 2016. The
emphasis is to “find solutions to drug addiction, suicide and other forms of
trauma,” and that “Every native family is affected by these issues. The goal of
this walk is to rescue our people.”
The public was invited to meet him at a community center
in Covington, Kentucky across the river from Cincinnati, from 6 to 8pm on
Wednesday, September 23rd.
What an opportunity, I thought, and immediately started the
mental preparation for what I believed would be another venture into enemy
territory. I had to give careful consideration about what, if anything to say,
and even what to wear.
The last time I was in “Peltier territory” was attending
“An afternoon in Solidarity with Leonard Peltier,” hosted by the most bizarre collection
of America-haters you can imagine, The
Jericho Movement, on the lower east side of Manhattan. It was to be a
discussion with Peltier’s then attorney, Barry Bachrach, and one other (I have
personally despised since day-one), Bob Robideau (may he rest-in-peace…Not). I
really wanted to challenge Mr. Bachrach on some facts but regretfully he didn’t
make it and my brother and I had to endure Robideau. I had decided I would just
listen and take notes for an update to the NPPA website. However, at one point
after listening to Robideau’s line of B.S., and without thinking and with an
involuntary and uncontrollable reflex, my hand shot up and I had to ask a
question. By the time I got to the second question we were unceremoniously
asked to leave. Anyone interested in what the Jericho Movement and their
membership is all about, please do so. If they hate “AmeriKa” so much, try
speaking up as they do, exercising their Constitutional rights in the process,
in some other parts of the world. I’d be the first to contribute to the boat
ride to take them all out of here. But the hypocrites won’t go; they know
better.
(Footnote 1)
(Footnote 1)
I needed to dress down for the occasion deciding on jeans
and considered wearing a Free Leonard
Peltier T-shirt that my brother gave me as a joke. I felt that was too much
and didn’t want to provoke a heated discussion, or worse. After a lot of
thought I settled on one of my favorites, “The original Founding Fathers” with
the Presidents on Mt. Rushmore overshadowed by renowned Indian Chiefs. (Fn: 2)
I felt that would be appropriate to send a message that I was aware and
sympathetic to Native rights, culture and history, without overstating it. I
took Peltier’s book Prison Writings
and thought that having Dennis Banks’ autograph would be an interesting
keepsake and NPPA blog discussion point.
Leaving the office I joked with a few co-workers that
even after fourteen years retired, no matter how I tried to dress-down, I still pretty much smelled
like a Fed. They agreed. Heck, even my vanity license plate would be a dead
giveaway.
Admittedly, the motivations to go were not altruistic. After
all, AIM member Leonard Peltier cold-bloodedly murdered two of my fellow
agents, neither of whom I had the privilege of knowing. However, I did want to
attend with an open and receptive mind.
Arriving early I parked several blocks away and gave more
consideration to how I would handle things and what to expect if the situation
got ugly. Taking Peltier’s book with me now became a concern and even not
wearing an unbuttoned black shirt over the Rushmore T-shirt. I wasn’t being
paranoid, just only overly cautious knowing that I would stick out like a sore
thumb and didn’t want to be in a situation that could go south quickly. I’ve
had over fifteen years dealing with the likes of some wildly sycophantic
Peltierites and know many of their twisted personalities. Ultimately, I left
the book and shirt behind and took a few side streets and alleyways to the
community center.
Walking into the room I was instantly struck by three
things that caught my eye all at once; a sign-in sheet, Dennis Banks sitting at
a table (with a Kenny Rogers beard, but unmistakable with this signature black
bola adorned with white and colored beading), and to my shock, across from him,
none other than Ward Churchill.
I sat at the same table, offered a greeting and handshake
to Dennis Banks but couldn’t take my eyes off the disgraced Churchill.
Churchill, the pariah of academia, the loudmouth Indian wannabe (the absolute
worst kind) that branded Americans as “little Eichmann’s,” blaming us for 9/11
and was totally unapologetic about his personal attacks on this country. (Fn:
3). After a few minutes I settled down and realized that it just couldn’t be
him. (Two hours later, at the end of the gathering, I tapped this fellow on the
shoulder, smiled, and asked how many times he’s been told he resembles Ward
Churchill. “A bunch” he replied. Poor guy.)
As more arrived, the total reached about forty and Dennis
suggested moving the tables out of the way and forming a circle. The concept of
a circle being significant to Native American culture, religious practices and
thought. And that’s what we did, forming a circle of chairs with Dennis at the
apex.
Next to Dennis was a large and distinguished quintessential
Native American, maybe in his mid-40s, dark skinned and prominent features with
traditional long hair. As we were finishing the circle he caught my eye and
gave me a knowing nod and a smile that I was certain was an acknowledgement and
acceptance of my Founding Father’s T-shirt. I smiled back in appreciation. (Good
choice, I thought.)
The organizers/moderators, Paul and a physician, Dr.
Jeremy (didn’t catch his last name) were gracious hosts and during the discussion
helped to share information and keep the flow of the discussions and conversations
on track, which at one point became a challenge.
Paul introduced Dennis and suggested he speak about his
visit and mission. Dennis offered that they begin by going around the room and
having everyone in the circle introduce themselves. (Great! I recalled that’s
just how it started back on the lower East Side with the Jericho Movement. It
began with a global question to the audience, “Is anyone here a police officer
or in law enforcement.” Since being retired I obviously wasn’t, but their
suspicions were already raised while two strangers sat in their midst. Then, when
asked, I simply stated I was doing research for a book; my brother said
likewise).
The introductions began as everyone stated their full
name, some giving more background than others, and when it got to me I said,
“My name is Ed, I live in Cincinnati, my great-grandfather was a full-blood. I have
been to Pine Ridge and understand the devastation on the Reservation and am
interested in learning more about Dennis’ walk across America.” Which was all
true. (Another hurdle passed).
Of course, I knew about Dennis Banks and Russell Means
and AIM but within the several hundred pages of Editorial Essays and several
years of Blogs on the No Parole Peltier website I’ve mentioned AIM but a few
times, and then only in passing. AIM, although a factor, was irrelevant to the
events of June 26, 1975 at Jumping Bull on Pine Ridge and the brutal murder of
FBI Agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams. That was a singularly criminal act by
Peltier and the others. I am not alone in recognizing it as such, and so have
the courts. However, in preparation, I did visit YouTube and watched every
Banks’ video. Some had surprisingly low viewer counts. I had heard the same
Peltier rhetoric more times than I’d like to remember and Banks rattled on in
many videos and interviews providing a rehash of the misinformation that’s been
the bedrock of the Peltier myth and folklore for decades. There was nothing new
or unexpected in the public statements Banks’ offered about Peltier.
Sitting there that evening I faced a real challenge. I
needed to set aside all my personal feelings about Banks’ and Means and the
devastation wrought by AIM in the 1970s and the connection that all those who
participated in first attacking and severely wounding the agents and then the
brutal murders, were all AIM members. I wanted not to go there but focus on the
message Banks was bringing to this group. I was prepared, of course, to answer
any of those Peltier questions but would be unable to stay focused unless I was
able to leave my preconceived notions at the door. I had to keep fighting the
urge and concentrate on the evening’s topic.
Dennis spoke for about a half-hour mentioning he had
already made several walks across America and planned three more for 2016, 17
and 18. I was both surprised and impressed. Not an especially big man, but
somewhat overweight and at 78 I felt that was an admirable undertaking. He
would be walking with college students and supporters, staying at various supporters’
homes and participating in sweat lodges as he spread his message making his way
to Washington, D.C.
He emphasized the scourge of addiction, beginning with
marijuana, crack, meth and especially a growing heroin epidemic afflicting the
young. This was one area I would have been prompted to offer a comment that
recently two billion tax dollars had been earmarked for the support of Middle
Eastern, especially Syrian, refugees. Certainly sympathetic to their plight,
but I would rather see that money spent right here, starting with places like
Pine Ridge and the inner cities of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Also, since
9/11 it’s no secret that precious government resources at all levels have been
directed toward the terrorist threat at the expense of what once was the, War
On Drugs.
Dennis mentioned other marches he had led, and for the
only time that evening the name was
mentioned; a “Peltier” march. That was it regarding Peltier and only one story
that touched on AIM that surprisingly also lauded a former President.
He mentioned the take-over of the village of Wounded Knee
in 1973. They (the government) wanted their land back, he said, but it was our
land, so how could they take it back. Knowing the details of what’s been
referred to as Wounded Knee II, and the utter destruction of the village,
ancient artifacts, the horrible treatment of people who had been providing
goods and services to the poor community for decades, not to mention the murder
of civil rights worker Perry Robinson, and the strong belief of other bodies
buried as a result of the AIM thugs; add in the AIM ordered murder of one of
their own, Anna Mae Aquash, and it was hard not to begin to dismiss Banks on
these issues.
Forty-five years ago a younger, stronger, Dennis Banks
was a 70’s radical, who, along with co-founder, Russell Means, left a wake of
destruction in their path when the stated goal of AIM was allegedly the
betterment of their people and an awakening of the rest of America to Native
rights and issues. Mostly it had the opposite effect. Means, in that famous
photo of himself wrapped in the American flag was but an oxymoron. Means was a
user of his native fame for his own enrichment. A better photo would have him
wrapped in a cloak of hundred-dollar bills. In retrospect, Banks, it now
seemed, AIM braggadocio aside, appeared to be the more humble of the two.
Banks said Richard Nixon was the best President ever
because he’s the only one who gave land back to the Indians and that during
WKII, the Justice Department went to Nixon and wanted to cover the village with
“gasoline and light it and everyone there on fire.” (I suspected Banks was
referring to napalming the village.) But, according to Banks, Nixon said,
absolutely not. I felt the story was a total fabrication, but Banks did move on
to other issues.
His talk was rambling and disjointed at times and when
talking about the physical manifestations of drug addiction, not all that
accurate, but speaking of that and the Native significance of respect for human
life and adoration of Mother Earth and reverence to follow the Creator, his
overall message was sincere and positive. And although segued into other
topics, he did return to the central purpose of his visit and walk across
America.
I was a little surprised to hear him say that this area
(Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky) was one of the worst drug infested areas in the
country. No one in the gathering objected, (a few grunted in agreement), but I
found it considerably exaggerated seeing the utter turmoil of gang and drug
violence in some of the major cities. After all, I lived here for nearly thirty
years and although there are problems, the news reports are minor by comparison
to places like Chicago and Baltimore, to name just a couple.
As Dennis spoke and responded to questions he exhibited a
certain warmth and civility, not unlike a kindly grandfather, also with a sharp
wit and noticeable sense of humor.
Those gathered that evening were an—eclectic—group. No
captains of industry or highly successful individuals living the American
dream, just everyday people, mostly, it appeared from some of their comments,
struggling with life and even survival. One older couple (actually my age) told
of three addicted adult children struggling and failing with rehabilitation. There
was an anthropology student, whom Dennis singled out to make a point that those
explorations, those bones, were the sacred remains of his ancestors and should
remain untouched. A social worker told of the some forty deaths she experienced
from the ravages of drug addiction and the lack of both courage of political
leadership and a paucity of funding to help those most in need. Some spoke,
with specifics, about the lack of rehabilitation options in northern Kentucky
due in large part to a single source of hospital and medical support while just
a few yards across the Ohio River there were multiple hospitals competing with
one another offering more options to their residents.
One fellow, antsy in his chair, forced his opportunity to
speak, jumped up and in the middle of the circle railed on, waving, gesturing
as animated as anyone could imagine, spouting a philosophy that clearly made
sense to him while repeatedly seeking acknowledgement and approval from Dennis.
He went on for what felt like an interminable amount of time; maybe ten minutes
that felt like an hour. His philosophic ranting, at least to me, made
absolutely no sense and gave the impression, that since this was a gathering
about drug abuse and its effects, seemed pretty much wired and probably would
have continued for the rest of the evening if allowed. Gratefully, Dr. Jeremy,
politely, as the apparent gentleman he was, offered that perhaps others had
questions they wanted to ask Dennis. The speaker complied. I silently suspected
that Paul and Dr. Jeremy were familiar with this individual.
Dennis related that he was raised on a Reservation and
had to endure the trauma of Indian boarding schools designed to strip away his
tribal identity. The mantra of those times was to kill the Indian and save the
man. Dennis mentioned the broken treaties and the denigration of his culture
and I believe, at one point, used the word, genocide. Was it really genocide? Perhaps
not. According to noted historian, Stephen Ambrose, the consistent idea was to civilize the Indians, incorporate them
into the community, to make them part of the melting pot. That it did not work,
that it was foolish, conceited, even criminal, may be true, but that does not
turn, (a then), well-meant program into genocide.
(Fn: 4)
(Fn: 4)
However, retrospection has its own clarity and that’s
perhaps an uncomplicated explanation from a 21st Century white man,
even with Indian blood. The fact remains, I never had to live that experience,
or with its consequences.
At the end Dennis offered that everyone stand so he could
go around the circle and give each person a hug. A meaningful gesture I thought,
being at once gracious and sincere. I had already regretted not bringing
Peltier’s book because it would have been very easy to ask Dennis for an
autograph. As he approached, we hugged. I offered a handshake, touched him on
the shoulder and wished him success on his journey. He graciously accepted. I
asked if he would mind a photo, and we posed together for a selfie.*
* * *
Having tried earnestly to set aside my feelings and bias
against the murderous coward Leonard Peltier and the failure of AIM to
contribute anything meaningful to the betterment of Native America, I saw
Dennis Banks in a different light as a genuinely concerned native elder in his
own way searching for solutions for the betterment of mankind in general and
particularly his people. I had to
show him the respect he deserved for that.
I walked away with the sense that I would benefit from
having the opportunity to sit down with him, one-on-one, maybe over a beer, or more
appropriately at a sweat lodge, share a peace pipe or the aromas of burning
tobacco, and listen to his experiences, but also tell him of the things that
Peltier has admitted over the years.
No, I don’t believe I could convince him of Peltier’s
guilt but feel confident I could make him want to ask hard questions about what
really happened that day at Jumping Bull and how Peltier has denigrated a proud
Native American culture that, certainly, Dennis Banks holds closely to his
soul.
Can’t say I made a friend that evening, perhaps so, but nevertheless,
it was a positive experience.
However, I was glad I went and more so that it wasn’t
tainted with anything Peltier.
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
*The selfie, for obvious reasons, showing only Dennis.
Footnotes:
1) See Editorial Essay and footnote 2: http://noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#Robideau-NYC
2) Presidents Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, Lincoln
supplanted with Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Red Cloud.
3) Churchill http://noparolepeltier.com/churchill.html
4) Paraphrased from historian Stephen Ambrose; reference
last accessed 9/28/15: https://books.google.com/books?id=n2J675woMLwC&pg=PA28&dq=Stephen+Ambrose+indian+geocide&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAWoVChMI3OiK9cmVyAIVFhiSCh27NwPp#v=onepage&q=Stephen%20Ambrose%20indian%20geocide&f=false
