Russell Means was an American Oglala Sioux activist who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of Native American people. He was born on November 10, 1939 in South Dakota to Theodora Feather and Harold 'Hank' Means. Russell grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he was exposed to the injustices faced by his people from a young age.
Before becoming a prominent activist, Russell briefly worked at the Office of Economic Opportunity at the Rosebud Indian Reservation. It was during this time that he witnessed the poverty and lack of resources that Native American communities were grappling with on a daily basis.
Russell Means rose to prominence during the Wounded Knee Incident of 1973. Along with 200 Oglala Lakota activists, he occupied the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota to protest against the corruption and injustices perpetrated by the US government against Native American communities. The 71-day standoff brought international attention to the plight of Native Americans and their struggle for sovereignty.
Throughout his career, Russell Means fought tirelessly for the rights of Native American people. He was a vocal advocate for indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, and he worked to raise awareness about the injustices faced by Native communities. Russell co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM), an organization dedicated to fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples.
In addition to his activism, Russell also pursued an acting career. In 1992, he began appearing in films, with one of his most notable roles being in The Last of the Mohicans. He also did voice acting alongside David Ogden Stiers in Pocahontas.
Russell Means was married to Pearl Means from 1999 to 2012, and together they had three children - Tatanka, Scott, and Nataanii. Despite his busy schedule as an activist and actor, Russell always prioritized his family and sought to instill in his children a strong sense of pride in their Native American heritage.
Russell Means passed away on October 22, 2012, but his legacy continues to inspire Native American activists and allies around the world. His dedication to fighting for justice and equality for indigenous peoples has left a lasting impact on the civil rights movement in the United States.