A 41 minute interview of Phillip Deere, influential and respected Native American Indian (Muskogee-Creek) elder and Medicine Man, offering insightful and provocative views of American history and culture. Recorded in 1979 at the Mashpee Wampanoag Sovereignty Conference. Digitally salvaged in 2005.

Native American Elder and Wise Man Phillip Deere live from 1929 to 1985. He belonged to the Muskogee/Creek tribe and was an Elder who took part in the Native American movement and International Conferences and Forums. He was a carpenter and became internationally recognized as a spiritual leader and civil and human rights activist.

He was an especially skilled oral historian and storyteller. His people were moved out of their ancient living spaces in the nineteenth century.


Whilst he didn't have a formal education, Phillip Deere was literate and had a deep intellect. He retained a strong sense and understanding of a natural earth religion and he had a huge memory of prayers and incantations for healing in the forgotten native American language of Old Muskogee.

He is famed for his 1980 Longest Walk speech in which he articulated native American rights. "The majority can be wrong"-Phillip Deere