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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Filed under: Obituary
soundoff (204 Responses)
  1. C Mitchell

    RIP Russell. A true legend.

    October 22, 2012 at 11:59 am | Report abuse |
    • AYankeeInTheSouth

      A legend in his own mind...

      October 22, 2012 at 12:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • a

      AYankeeInTheSouth- just because you didn't care about him doesn't mean he wasn't influential.

      October 22, 2012 at 12:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • 'Nother-Son-'O-Ursus

      Re: “C Mitchell: RIP Russell. A true legend…”

      While it's a fictional honor-comparison...
      As Klingon’s, (and/or, their real-life-equivalents) are not-yet-discovered / located…

      The reporting of Russell Means's passing reminds one of the honors given to ALL Klingon warriors as they are 'pronounced': The group-scream, (much like a wolf-pack), so as to warn Sto'Vo'Kor, (the Klingon afterlife), that a warrior is on-the-way...

      As a former Catholic, decades-re-affiliated to ‘Wotanic', (Norse) Pagan Belief...

      I humbly offer a 'Blessed Be', Brother Means...
      Hunt well…

      October 22, 2012 at 12:39 pm | Report abuse |
  2. NanookoftheNorth

    Come on CNN, is this all you have on Russell Means...three short paragraphs ?? Surely this is just your rough draft, right...there will be more later ??

    October 22, 2012 at 11:59 am | Report abuse |
    • GailS

      If there is more, I hope it includes 'American Indian" and not "Native American."

      October 22, 2012 at 12:03 pm | Report abuse |
    • lgbarn

      Not all Native Americans liked the American Indian designation but he was one of the few that preferred it

      October 22, 2012 at 12:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • Alicia

      CNN won't run anything on good people, they work for the globalist and that would be counter to their current agenda which is to lie and deceive the public.

      October 22, 2012 at 12:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mallory Simon, CNN News blog editor

      Yes, this is just our quick and early write. We will have more coming soon and make sure you get to read it all. Thanks for commenting.

      October 22, 2012 at 12:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • GailS

      Not all Native Americans want to be called American Indian because not all Native Americans are American Indian. This is one of the primary reasons many American Indians do not identify themselves as Native Americans.

      October 22, 2012 at 4:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • c

      I thought the same thing-they could have at leas mentioned "The Last of the Mohican's

      October 22, 2012 at 4:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • SilentOwl

      That's the same thing I thought, wow don't say too much about him. Don't want to make it sound like he was important or something.

      October 22, 2012 at 8:32 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Arch Stanton

    Great Spirit and the Maker of all Life, a warrior goes to you swift and straight as an arrow shot into the sun. Welcome him and let him take his place at the council fire of my people. Bid them patience and ask death for speed; for they are all there.... R.I.P.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm | Report abuse |
    • KMH

      I love that...

      October 22, 2012 at 12:43 pm | Report abuse |
  4. doug

    Thank you Russell for your gifts..may they continue after your restful passing

    October 22, 2012 at 12:04 pm | Report abuse |
  5. AtariIdiot

    A true inspiration, taught us the importance of not littering through simple ads on TV and a tear. May you run with the great buffalo god.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:10 pm | Report abuse |
    • AYankeeInTheSouth

      Uh, shows how much you don't know Atarildiot...the littering ad was done by Iron Eyes Cody...

      October 22, 2012 at 12:13 pm | Report abuse |
    • commander115

      The ads were with Iron Eyes Cody, who was actually Italian. Rather embarrassing to confuse him with a true Oglala Sioux.

      October 22, 2012 at 12:34 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Jenna

    R.I.P. Russell.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:17 pm | Report abuse |
  7. lance corporal

    a great man who lived a full life, he deserves more coverage than mcgovern and CNN has no clue who he is.........
    I will send smoke and prayers and honor his journey

    RIP brother

    October 22, 2012 at 12:26 pm | Report abuse |
  8. lance corporal

    ya gotta be kidding a story about russell and the pics are of a bunch of other people???....... disrespect!

    October 22, 2012 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Searles O'Dubhain

    Russell Means was a real person as opposed to many others who are ghost people and shadows. I trust his spirit will inhabit many bodies now that it has been freed from the one in which it abided.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • asdrel

      I would interested to know what you mean by 'ghost people ' and 'shadows'. Russel Means was a courageous person, but does his passing justify denigrating other people?

      October 22, 2012 at 12:55 pm | Report abuse |
  10. lance corporal

    here's a story about some guy we where told matters to some of you but we have no clue who he is or the journalistic integrity to find out so we'll just post pics of white people we DO know.............

    wow the disconnect on this one is really insulting

    October 22, 2012 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
  11. David B

    Fly with the Great Spirits

    October 22, 2012 at 12:31 pm | Report abuse |
  12. John

    A great man with a great heart. He will be missed.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Lindy500

    Russell Means, a true legacy to the Original Homeland Security. Fighting Terrorism since 1492
    ----------
    He stood up for his people and was not afraid to speak out! Much respect RIP

    October 22, 2012 at 12:38 pm | Report abuse |
    • mukwasha shumba

      @lindy500 i dont get what you mean fighting terrorism since 1492 ? so its only native indians that are allowed to kill each other take wives as hostages and drive neighbouring tribes from their land surely that was going on before europeans ever set foot here on these shores. if you want to take a true look at history without bias you will see for thousands of years mankind has been brutal to each other,
      It is sad reality no matter what continent your people come from to be here. May his people the lakota sioux mourn his passing and celebrate his life.

      October 22, 2012 at 1:44 pm | Report abuse |
  14. swingstater

    RIP.

    He fought the good fight.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:41 pm | Report abuse |
  15. More Cow Bell

    RIP, Russell.

    October 22, 2012 at 12:57 pm | Report abuse |
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