Russell Means rocks the blues, throws in some jazz, spoken word, R&B, even a country-western selection in this politically charged smorgasbord of eclectic musical styles featuring the blistering guitar work of Chris Pinnick (Chicago)

11 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Rockin' Blues, ROCK: Hard Rock



Details:
The L.A. Times has described him as the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Russell Means is a natural leader. His fearless dedication and indestructible sense of pride are qualities admired by nations worldwide. His vision is for indigenous people to be free... Free to be human, free to travel, free to stop, free to trade where they choose, free to choose their own teachers - free to follow the religion of their fathers, free to talk, think and act for themselves and then they will obey every law or submit to the penalty. The most difficult lesson of all is to respect your relatives' visions.

Russell Means, born an Oglala/Lakota in 1939, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near the Black Hills. As a young man, Russell's life was full of ups and downs. In the late 60s he became focused and put his energy into fighting for Indian rights with The American Indian Movement. He became the first national director of AIM.

For more than thirty years, Russell has remained active with the American Indian Movement. Russell has traveled extensively throughout the world while working for over twelve years with the United Nations.

In 1991, Russell began his career in Hollywood. He has starred in numerous feature films (including LAST OF THE MOHICANS directed by Michael Man, NATURAL BORN KILLERS directed by Oliver Stone, BLACK CLOUD, WINDRUNNER, PATHFINDER), wrote his autobiography, recorded two albums, and started his own production company. Russell continues the fight for self-determination through the media to reach millions.

Russell Means is a life long indigenous rights/constitutional rights activist, actor, artist and author. His best selling autobiography "Where White Men Fear to Tread" is currently on its 11th printing. Russell has spoken at all major universities in the United States and England. In 1977 he completed a lecture tour in Switzerland. In 1987 he lectured in Japan and South Korea. In 1990 he completed a lecture tour in Spain, 2005 lecture tour of Italy and 2006 lectured in Australia. Russell has and continues to be an active political voice. His most famous speech delivered to thousands of people from all over the world at the Black Hills International Survival Gathering in 1980, "For America to Live Europe Must Die" has been included in America's top 100 speeches (reprinted in the appendix of his autobiography).

Russell Means has his doctorate in American Indian Humanities and is a Senior Law Partner in the Red Cloud Law Firm. He is one of the most magnetic speakers of our time. His lectures are well attended. Russell is a topical speaker who addresses the issues of the day. His varied topics have included:

America Right or Wrong?
America has Become One Huge Indian Reservation
Today's U.S. Government is Unconstitutional (appeals to law students)
Matriarchy: An Explanation From a Man Who Lives Within It (includes American Indian Social Structure and Spirituality)
A Healthy Lifestyle: An American Indian Perspective (appeals to the medical field)
The Value of Yesterday For Today and Tommorrow (developed for youth)
The Sad Reality of the Ologists, i.e.: Anthros, Archys, Hissies
Artists, The True Revolutionaries

For more information please contact:TREATY
treaty@plateautel.net

or 505-421-0046
TREATY Administrative Office
P.O. Box 110
San Jose, NM 87565


From peltierj@uww.edu
March 5/2004

Russell:
That was an awesome presentation you gave on the UW-Whitewater campus. I only wish we had more time to get to know you and your ways of thinking. I purchased your book so that will certainly help. To be honest, your talk was a little disconcerting as well in that it challenged some of my inner beliefs-I am guessing you accomplished one of your goals. I was especially moved about my heart affects infinity. I will probably use that myself, though I will certainly cite you as the reference.

My task now as an educator and writer is to see how I can resolve the dilemmas that you brought to light-at least in terms of making little/some internal change.

Anyway, your presentation might be one of the best I have ever heard from a "look inside" perspective.

Lastly, from an American Indian perspective and the reservation problems you alluded to...what is the best way to help/get involved. I am feeling that although I have supported American Indians through the many artworks and crafts that I have purchased, that "consumption as you stated" is nowhere near enough. So, what causes/groups/support areas/etc. would you advocate getting involved in? Thanks again, Dr. Jimmy Peltier, Arno Kleimenhagen Proffessor

Dear Dr. Peltier:

Thank you for caring and the honesty in your words. When I visited the Maori and their total immersion schools in New Zealand in the early 90's, and saw the empowered Maori children and their successes in education, I realized our only hope to continue as a distinctive, beautiful People, is through total immersion education. I traveled throughout Indian Country talking about this concept and Indian educators patted me on the shoulder and said "good luck Russell". Our drop out rates are higher per capita than any other race of people, etc. etc. When we are quickly becoming illiterate on an off the reservations, something isn't working. The total immersion concept is based on the language, culture and teaching from an oral society perspective vs.. European liner. Knowing who you are and where you come from engenders positive self-esteem. The Hawaian's have followed the Maori with their total immersion schools. When I saw a 12 year old girl being interviewed about her total immersion education, and was asked what her favorite subject was, she stated history, when asked to give an example her response was, what period? She along with other 10-12 year olds were so articulate with their language the interpreter had difficulty translating their concepts into English, at such time the students offered the English translation as well. At this point, I knew total immersion education was the answer, even if it meant I had to bring it to my reservation myself.