October 22nd, 2012
11:13 AM ET

Native American activist Russell Means dies

Native American activist Russell Means died early Monday from throat cancer, an Oglala Lakota Sioux nation representative said.

Means led a 71-day uprising on the sacred grounds of Wounded Knee in South Dakota in 1973.

"Means has devoted his life to eliminating racism of any kind, and in so doing he leaves a historical imprint as the most revolutionary Indian leader of the late twentieth century," his website said. "An inspirational visionary, Russell Means remains one of the most magnetic voices in America today.

"Whether leading a protest, fighting for constitutional rights, starring in a motion picture, or performing his “rap-ajo” music, the message he delivers is consistent with the philosophy he lives by."

Obituaries 2012: The lives they've lived

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soundoff (204 Responses)
  1. Yo MAMA

    Russell Means was a good Injun. Does everyone agree with me?

    October 22, 2012 at 9:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jackson

      Well, he is now.

      October 23, 2012 at 10:50 am | Report abuse |
  2. Yo MAMA

    You are Not Very Nice.

    October 22, 2012 at 10:21 pm | Report abuse |
  3. birdhouse9

    Racist?.. with that comment, you're the racist. And a complete idiot, not to mention a coward. You're not fit to stand where he stood.

    October 22, 2012 at 10:26 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Cissy

    CISSY
    Years ago I had a class at CSUF where Russell Means was the guest speaker. He was such a wonderful teacher and held our attention to the end of the class. Having lived in many areas of Arizona I have had great respect for the struggles of the Native American's and what they have had to overcome. Russell may you rest in peace. Thank you for all you have done for your people.

    October 23, 2012 at 12:16 am | Report abuse |
    • dasea

      We need to train our children to be the storytellers which we lose the best of first. A good native story teller is like an acidic wine. It takes years to be just right.

      October 23, 2012 at 6:53 am | Report abuse |
  5. Lord Siouxpreme

    Please, white people, stop spreading your feelings of white guilt. Russell Means was a cold-blooded murderer. He was responsible for three murders here on the Rock. All three people were accused of trying to undercut the Movement when in fact they had nothing to do with it.

    October 23, 2012 at 12:51 am | Report abuse |
  6. whatever

    Not a racist, I have read articles and watched vblogs by Russel Means for a long time. He has a youtube channel called RusselMeansFreedom and has video blogs going back several years, you would be hard pressed to find anything racist contained within them, quite the opposite actually.

    October 23, 2012 at 5:06 am | Report abuse |
  7. dasea

    Oh, being against racism in the USA is like asking Bob Barker *Drew Carey to saw off the pegs on the plinko board. This country is formed on racism, and will the last word out of this country as the sun explodes will be racist. It is white water rafting through stupid rocks with soft fat edges. Racism is best left to the people who have their every need met, and you don't have racism during a blizzard on a hike.

    October 23, 2012 at 6:49 am | Report abuse |
  8. lightbearerusa

    The world has lost a true Hero.

    October 23, 2012 at 7:14 am | Report abuse |
  9. leroy

    i great man we loss as the govt enjoy the moment

    October 23, 2012 at 1:52 pm | Report abuse |
  10. nesco

    one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. fight on Russell I got your back ,bro,

    October 23, 2012 at 6:42 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Runner

    Your free, run with the wind, shine with the stars, enjoy the peace with the moon, we will all be with you in the end.

    October 25, 2012 at 1:28 am | Report abuse |
  12. Mitt

    There will never be the rule of law in occupied land.

    October 25, 2012 at 8:14 am | Report abuse |
  13. Sandra Lehmann

    I cant believe that he is gone forever! Im sure he will be in all of our hearts! He will be missed so much! Rest in Peace, Russell! Thank you for all!!

    October 28, 2012 at 6:36 am | Report abuse |
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