Russell Means

Steve Scher
04/01/2009 at 9:00 a.m.

America has a rich and complicated Native American history. A recent PBS documentary explores Thanksgiving, the Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee... all through a Native American perspective. Activist Russell Means joins us to discuss that history and the current state of Native American issues today.

Guest(s)

Russell Means is a American Indian activist, artist and actor. He is an Oglala Sioux and joined the American Indian Movement in 1968. Thirty years ago, he was part of an armed takeover of Wounded Knee in South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation. Film buffs may remember him as the American Indian chief in "The Last of the Mohicans;" he has also acted in Disney's "Pocahontas," "Natural Born Killers" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." He also helped implement a non–government funded American Indian health clinic and the first American Indian–owned radio station. He recently participated in the filming of "We Shall Remain," a five–part documentary that follows the American Indian perspective through Thanksgiving, the Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee.