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30 Years, Is there Justice for Peltier?

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This is a story that must speak of the past in order for the reader to understand the present. It entwines centuries of abuse the Native American people have endured on this land called the United States of America. How do we describe their oppression, the need for self-determination, equality? What makes a person stand in the face of the enemy, with such tenacity that they sacrifice their very life for a belief, a cause, for the people? We call this the Spirit of Crazy Horse and it lives today in all people that fight the daily struggle for self-determination.

Crazy Horse (Tashunka Witko) was one of the most remarkable warriors that the US cavalry had ever encountered. Mere mention of his name brought a certain fear to his opponents. He was respected for his brilliant military tactics that produced spectacular results for the Lakota natives. Three of the biggest defeats the cavalry ever endured. Two were at the hands of Crazy Horse and his warriors. One of such grandeur happened on June 25, 1876, on a ridge just east of Greasy Grass Creek. Crazy Horse and band of native warriors surrounded and defeated General Armstrong Custer; better know as "Yellow Hair". That battle today is known as the Battle of Little Big Horn, and will forever be a reminder of that tenacious Spirit of Crazy Horse.

In 1877, at Red Cloud Agency, Crazy Horse and his people surrendered to the United States government. He made the ultimate sacrifice so his people might live. Six months after his surrender he was murdered, a bayonet driven into the pit of his stomach. This was the end of freedom to hunt and roam along the plains. Reservations became the new way of life, handouts, commodities, governmental boarding schools and religions beliefs of the white man, forced upon these warriors and their people. Bitterness and resentment filled the hearts and minds of many. Greed far surpassed human compassion for a way of life.

In Ireland a young man lay clinging to life in a prison hospital. He was giving the ultimate sacrifice for his people . . .his life. A hunger strike was now in place screaming out to the world that he would stand in the face of his people’s oppressors with pride and dignity, he would not be moved. Bobby Sands died on May 5th, 1981 in the Sprit of Crazy Horse. Nine brave young men followed in pursuit, telling the world that they were not criminals but human beings, deserving of their rightful place in Ireland, they would not bow to the British government. They died for their people, their struggle, their cause, so that one day, their people would in Bobby Sand’s words "hear the laughter of our children". This is the tenacious Spirit of Crazy Horse.

On June 26, 1976, a very hot, humid summer morning, on the Jumping Bull's ranch, a young group of women were busy preparing food for the children and men. Some were sleeping, others were moving around the camp doing light chores. The night before there had been a thunderstorm and it caused some disruption of the tents, so many were up all night re-establishing camp. Leonard Peltier lay in his tent listening to the sounds of the outside activities, children playing, women chatting as they cooked the morning breakfast. The aroma of pancakes filled the air, mixed with the scent of hot coffee. He was looking forward to the flavor that was soon to tantalize his taste buds. In the distance he heard gunfire but brushed it off, probably hunters but the sounds grew closer; he realized that they were under attack. He rushed from his tent, snatched up his rifle and ran vigorously to the little green house and realized that Grandma and Grandpa Jumping Bull had gone to Rapid City for the day. Past the house, he saw Joe "Killsright" Stuntz lying dead on the ground shot between the eyes.

He headed back across the field, he heard the children crying and saw a shining new car speeding onto the property, still shooting at three young natives in a red pick up. He followed in pursuit of the others and returned the fire in self-defense. As Leonard headed down the hill, he encountered Bob Robideau and Dino Butler coming up. They returned to camp. Once the dust had cleared the group realized that the two in the shiny car were in fact FBI agents, Ronald Williams and Jack R. Coler, at that moment the world stood still. All knew they would be hunted down and murdered by law enforcement in retaliation for this. They would never be able to explain that it was self-defense. Everyone gathered together to say a short prayer to the Great Spirit asking for protection, for Joe's journey into the spirit world and for the two dead agents, as the FBI and the Tribal Police surrounded the property.

The violence that surrounded the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation did not start on this day. It was part of a history of corruption and murder for years. Dick Wilson, then tribal chairman and his paid assassins, the Goons (self proclaimed name), wanted to assimilate the people into the world of capitalism and making themselves rich, by selling tribal land to the U.S. Government. The U.S. wanted to strip the land of its uranium deposits; the traditionalist natives were strongly opposed. They had given enough to this government and would not give even "one pinch of dust" more.

On Feb. 27, 1973, a group called the American Indian Movement (AIM), seized control of Wounded Knee. The occupation was in protest at Dick Wilson's sanctioned government. Two people were killed during the 71-day occupation, 12 were wounded, including two marshals, and approximately 1,200 were arrested. AIM placed the issues of Native American rights into an international spotlight.

The murder rate however continued to grow daily. Dick Wilson's goons with the help of the FBI, created a reign of terror on the traditionalists that resided on the Pine Ridge Reservation and the American Indian Movement. There were over 60 unsolved murders, with Pine Ridge rating the highest murder rate per capita in the nation; the police agencies did not seem interested in solving them.

The largest manhunt in the history of the United States was engaged against members of the American Indian Movement. Leonard Peltier was labeled public enemy number one, with the accompanying order to shoot on sight. Even though the FBI stated that there were over 40 natives involved in the shoot out that June day, only Bob Robideau, Dino Butler and Leonard Peltier were held over for trial after capture.


Leonard Peltier went under ground to Canada seeking refuge at Small Boy's camp. Meanwhile Dino Butler and Bob Robideau were arrested at different locations and stood trial while Leonard fought extradition from Canada. Both Dino and Bob were found not guilty by reason of self-defense. This infuriated the FBI and they swore the next trial would be different.

They went after Leonard with a vengeance! This case is clear-cut evidence to what lengths the FBI will go to get "their man". They manipulated the system to meet their own agenda through the misuse and abuse of power. They used false affidavits to convince the Canadian government to extradite Peltier. Agents Price, Skelly and Woods, held and abused a mentally ill native woman. Under such extreme duress and mental torment, she submitted three inconsistent affidavits stating she was at the Jumping Bull ranch, also was the girlfriend of Peltier and she saw him shoot the two agents. She has since recanted these allegations, stating the FBI forced her into making the statements. The damage however had already been done; Peltier was now in the United States. The Canadian government upon learning the truth behind these false affidavits demanded the return of Peltier. These demands fell on deaf ears.


The ballistics expert lied in Peltier's trial, stating that he had a clear match for the purported weapon Peltier had shot the agents with, this stemmed from a shell casing found at the crime scene. Later through the release of documents it was learned that the expert lied and fabricated the evidence to ensure a conviction, the federal court verbally reprimanded him for his professional misconduct. The U.S. Marshals used threats and intimidation on the jury by sequestering them, implying the American Indian Movement was trying to harm them. Periodic sweeps were done in the courtroom and the judge’s chambers, once again to give the impression of implied threat. What a horrific misuse of power, they placed fear in the hearts and minds of all involved to ensure a guilty verdict. On April 18, 1977, after six hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of GUILTY. On June 1, 1977, Judge Paul Benson sentenced Leonard Peltier to two consecutive life sentences in the death of FBI agents Williams and Coler.


Mr. Peltier has continuously denied the murder of the two FBI agents. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals found that Peltier might have been acquitted had the FBI not withheld valuable evidence; a new trial however was denied due to a legal technicality. Judge Heaney, presiding over the appellant hearing, has expressed his support for Peltier’s release.
The 10th Circuit Court stated, "Much of the government conduct on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and in the prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It coerced witnesses. These facts are undisputed. But [this] is a question we have no authority to review.” As Barry Bachrach, Peltier’s lead counsel states “If the Judicial Branch has no authority to review outrageous government conduct, then, who does? If the Judicial Branch continues to acknowledge that Mr. Peltier’s due process rights were violated, but claims it has no authority to rectify it, then who does?" Amnesty International has declared Peltier a political prisoner and demanded his release. His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and countless other luminaries have expressed their support for Peltier publicly.


The U.S. Prosecutor Lynn Crooks has clearly admitted, "We can't prove who shot those agents", yet in reality, Leonard Peltier is still held in captivity within the prison system. On September 12th, 2005, Leonard Peltier saw his 61st birthday pass behind the rolling wire and 20 foot high walls at Lewisburg Federal Prison. He has been incarcerated over 30 years for defending his people and his land. The government is relentless in their continued effort to keep him locked away like a caged animal. It has been proven the FBI lied, fabricated the evidence and coerced the witnesses. When will they be held accountable for their past transgressions. The native community awaits the day that this country recognizes the great wrong this government has done. We are asking for all people to unite in solidarity, joining our campaign for freedom, it is time for Leonard Peltier to come home!

For more information please visit the web site at http://www.leonardpeltier.org/ or write info@leonardpeltier.org

For a more indepth review of the case, please visit:

http://www.freepeltier.org/