Russell Charles Means (November 10, 1939 – October 22, 2012) was an American actor, Oglala Lakota activist for the rights of Native American people.
He became a prominent member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization in 1968, and helped organize notable events that attracted national and international media coverage.
Means was active in international issues of indigenous peoples, including working with groups in Central and South America, and with the United Nations for recognition of their rights. He was active in politics at his native Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and at the state and national level.
Beginning an acting career in 1992, he appeared in numerous films, including The Last of the Mohicans, and released his own music CD. Means was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, to Theodora Louise Feather and Walter "Hank" Means. His mother was a Yankton Dakota from Greenwood, South Dakota and his father, an Oglala Lakota. He was given the name Wanbli Ohitika by his mother, which means "Brave Eagle" in the Lakota language.
Since 1992, Means appeared as an actor in numerous films and television movies, first as the chief Chingachgook in The Last of the Mohicans. He appeared as Arrowhead in the made-for-TV movie The Pathfinder (1996), his second appearance in a movie adapted from a novel by James Fenimore Cooper. He appeared in Natural Born Killers (1994), as Jim Thorpe in Windrunner: A Spirited Journey, as Sitting Bull in Buffalo Girls (1995), and had a cameo in the miniseries Into the West (2005).
He became a prominent member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization in 1968, and helped organize notable events that attracted national and international media coverage.
Means was active in international issues of indigenous peoples, including working with groups in Central and South America, and with the United Nations for recognition of their rights. He was active in politics at his native Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and at the state and national level.
Beginning an acting career in 1992, he appeared in numerous films, including The Last of the Mohicans, and released his own music CD. Means was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, to Theodora Louise Feather and Walter "Hank" Means. His mother was a Yankton Dakota from Greenwood, South Dakota and his father, an Oglala Lakota. He was given the name Wanbli Ohitika by his mother, which means "Brave Eagle" in the Lakota language.
Since 1992, Means appeared as an actor in numerous films and television movies, first as the chief Chingachgook in The Last of the Mohicans. He appeared as Arrowhead in the made-for-TV movie The Pathfinder (1996), his second appearance in a movie adapted from a novel by James Fenimore Cooper. He appeared in Natural Born Killers (1994), as Jim Thorpe in Windrunner: A Spirited Journey, as Sitting Bull in Buffalo Girls (1995), and had a cameo in the miniseries Into the West (2005).
Russell Means and Marlon Brando Decry Treatment of Indians in U.S.
Russell Means at Wounded Knee 10 Year Anniversary
Russell Means, seen in this 1995 file photo
Photo: Joshua Lott American Indian activist Russell Means, seen here at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home in October 2011, helped lead protests for Native American rights.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Russell Means voice of Chief Powatan with Irene Bedard, voice of Pocahontas
Russell Means Braids his Son's Hair - Ilka Hartmann Photography
Wounded Knee II: Fight For The Native Rights
Russell Means: Standing Against Injustice
Nataanii Means, Son of Russell Means
VIDEO
I'd be hard pressed to thino of another human being I respect more than Russell. A man of great wisdom, integrity and courage.
Cool guy, miss his presence among us��
still to young to leave not another so more respected than him sad loss to us all
to many of our people are passing ,and not being remembered for the people they were,thank the all father ,Russel Means is remembered. Lone Walker the Peaceseacher
i Discoverd the teachings and History of this Great man ,via "the interview" Wellcome to the Resovation " from that second he touched my soul ..so much respect for his wisdom , integrity , and devotion to help so many to find justice and hope for the future and generations to come x Fly High ,Russell Means the world is a greater place for the work you have done x
Always my friends the wolfs