Statement by Leonard Peltier on the Sixth Anniversary of the FBI Attack (1981)

From ‘Arm the Spirit: A Revolutionary Prisoners Newspaper’, Winter 1982, Berkeley, California

June 26, 1981

Greetings brothers and sisters:

It has been some time now since I have sent out any messages and communications to you out there in the midst of oppression and struggle.

The reasons for this are not that I do not have anything to say or that I want to cease my communication with you, it’s just that at times I feel enough words have been said.

Before I begin making any statement I would like to assure you I have not given up in my people’s struggle for the liberation of our nation and our sacred Black Hills! My love for my people and all people of struggle are as strong as when I made the decision to devote my life to the struggle. There is no power on Earth that can or will force me to abandon this love.

Indian warriors and Indian delegates from various Indian Nations and Governments have made enough statements and negotiations with the U.S. Government. For decades upon decades our words have gone unheard and ignored. I believe there should be less talk and more actions.

Today, June 26, 1981, marks the 6th year since our spiritual camp in Oglala, South Dakota in the Lakota Nation was attacked by agents of the FBI. Six years since my brother and the people’s warrior, Joe Stuntz, was murdered. Many things have happened since then.

A friend and sister warrior, Anna Mae Aquash, was found murdered and attempts were made by the U.S. government to cover her murder up.

Mike Anderson, one of the government’s main witnesses against me at that farce called a trial in Fargo, North Dakota was killed. I would like to emphasize very clearly so that there is no misunderstanding by anyone, concerning Mike’s death. Mike was killed by the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) police on the Dine Nation. His brother, Larry Anderson informed me of this directly.

A plot to neutralize (kill) me was exposed to me, which caused me to make a decision to flee the concentration camp in Lompoc, Ca. Many people are hesitant to believe this and ask the question why would the government take the chance of being unsuccessful and exposed? To be honest with you, I was also curious when this was revealed to me. But since then with the discoveries we have made through my Freedom of Information Act lawsuit my understanding of their continued actions against me have become most clear.

Every word of accusation we have ever made about my illegal conviction and the terror against my people are no longer just words for we now have enough evidence to prove everything we have ever said is true. Shortly we will be releasing a lot if not all of this new evidence to you so you can use it when you are writing in support of me and in protest to various government officials concerning my imprisonment and demanding my release. But for now, I’ve been asked by my lawyer to refrain from mentioning and exposing any of this material until after our legal strategies are in motion. To sum this subject up for now I can only think of one thing to say, which is what was told us during the Fargo trial: “If I was to allow this story to be told or heard, it would shock the conscience of the people.” Well I intend to shock the conscience of the people and this story will be told!!!

So you can see your strong support and belief in me is beginning to pay off. I must caution and warn you not to celebrate or relax just yet, because your support and continued hard work is really just beginning. We have one last chance through the courts — a 2255 Writ of Habeas Corpus and when we file it your support and or organizational efforts will be needed more than ever.

When I was first arrested I wrote a statement asking the people to not let my life be wasted and to continue the struggle. Over the years I have witnessed the people’s actions and I am assured my life has not been wasted.

I see that the people are rising from Big Mountain, Dine Nation to the people’s warriors in Guatemala, from the people’s camps in the Black Hills to the camps in the Six Nations territory and in El Salvador. We should all be proud and look to these actions of Red People as a coming together of Indian Nations that are building independently; and when united, we will be as a Red Fist of Indian Resistance that will stretch from North to South and East to West covering this hemisphere.

As a Red person I know the Circle of Life is made of four colors, Red, Yellow, Black, and White, and that now is the time for us to begin building solidarity with warriors of different colors, to complete this circle. These people’s warriors must be committed to live with a respect for Mother Earth, and consciously and actively support Sovereignty and Self-determination of Indian Nations throughout this hemisphere.

I as well as other Prisoners of War, and many Indian camps have received material aid and support from Liberation struggles in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We must identify ourselves with these Freedom Fighters and support their armed struggle, in solidarity with their Wars of Liberation, for we too as Indian Warriors are a part of the circle of liberation.

I remain strong in the struggle and continue to serve my people, our children, for the future generations.

Your brother in the spirit of Crazy Horse,

Gwarth-ee-Lass

Leonard Peltier #89637-132