5 Quotes & Sayings By Russell Means

Russell Means is a Blackfeather and Teton Sioux, and an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota tribe. He was the leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM) from 1968 to 1979, and was arrested by federal agents 45 times in eight states for unlawful assembly, civil disobedience, and advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government. He was also renowned as one of the few Native Americans to address the United Nations in 1971 and to testify before Congress on the plight of Native Americans Read more

He was a leading figure in bringing international attention to Native American issues and led a delegation to India in 1964 to protest against apartheid in South Africa. In 1992, he co-founded the American Indian Party, which ran five candidates for President of the United States in 1992 and 1996.

1
Golden eagles don`t mate with bald eagles, deer don`t mate with antelope, gray wolves don`t mate with red wolves. Just look at domesticated animals, at mongrel dogs, and mixed breed horses, and you`ll know the Great Mystery didn`t intend them to be that way. We weakened the species and introduced disease by mixing what should be kept seperate. Among humans, intermarriage weakens the respect people have for themselves and for their traditions. It undermines clarity of spirit and mind. Russell Means
2
If I want my people to be free, Americans have to be free. Russell Means
3
It takes a strong effort on the part of each American Indian not to become Europeanized. The strength for this effort can only come from the traditional ways, the traditional values that our elders retain. Russell Means
4
I had often wondered how to best decolonize my people... It must be done one human being at a time. Without that kind of help, Western society does not allow people to come to terms with their feelings. With honesty and therapy, my people can be made whole again. Russell Means