I can’t believe some of the actions that Russell Means attempts, thinking he represents an actual segment of Indian country; and the recent article, ”Withdrawal from U.S. treaties enjoys little support from tribal leaders” [Vol. 27, Iss. 31], is proof positive that his only intervention is to bring a gold-based economy that would require his oversight and very little of the gold would ever filter down to the Lakota people without his shares paid first, and then down to those he is working with as ”foreign investors.”

Where is the change in this drama? The Lakota people face continued fraud and poverty from the U.S. government or [from] outside investors that have never recognized the severe economic conditions that plague the Lakota tribes. Now you have Mr. Means and company to contend with as the next generation of liberators, or carpetbaggers.

Although much of his dialogue is genuine, he hasn’t said anything new that isn’t already being pursued by many tribes, tribal councils, NCAI and a hard-working consistent group of Indian leaders and organizations. Lakota country doesn’t need another round of sensationalism from an urban Indian activist-actor. He should be trying to assist the Lakota people and tribal governments in their forums and if he has any diplomatic or political savvy, then he should offer this free of charge to his Indian relatives. Rather than being a positive advocate for solution, he sounds more like the establishment that he contends is always a negative factor in the current dilemma of the Lakota people.

This gentleman might have a certain popularity with the non-Indian public via AIM and his acting accomplishments, but Indian people, especially from this end of the country, have very little respect or acknowledgement for his actions, either public or private. Our ancestors who were leaders and warriors had the integrity to understand tribal authority as a whole community, and this meant that sometimes they had to resist their personal vendettas or activism for the common interests of the entire tribe. Mr. Means has very limited experience with either tribal or reservation existence, and it would be very difficult for him to recognize a ”hang around the fort Indian.”

– Kenneth ”Butch” Stanger

Colville tribal member, Lakota ancestryCoulee Dam, Wash.