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The Author
Since
his imprisonment began in 1976, Leonard Peltier has depended most on
the written word to communicate with family, friends, and
supporters. In this way, he records his thoughts, concerns, and
emotions; and discusses Native issues, American and
international politics, and strategies to win his freedom. Over
the years, he has honed his writing skills and developed a
unique style. Although he has evolved as a writer, Leonard Peltier
has not lost his "voice"—or
his passion for freedom and the survival of his People.
Writings
Leonard
Peltier often writes articles for publication. The
topics vary, but usually touch on his life experiences, current
events or trends of most concern to him and, of course, the
specifics of his case.
Examples:
"A Day in the Life." Reprinted from Spirit of Crazy Horse. Vol. 11, No. 5,
September 2003. View
online. You
also may
download
this article in Word format.
"A Message to Our Young
People." Reprinted from Gatherings: The En'owkin Journal
of First North American Peoples, Fall 2002. May be viewed
online.
You also may
download
this article in Word format.
"Cruel and Unusual
Punishment." 2003, unpublished. View
online.
You also may
download
this article in Word format.
Leonard Peltier's statements are posted to the Internet by the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
and appear on various other Web sites, including
Native Village (messages for Indigenous youth).
My Life is My Sun
Dance
In 1999, Leonard Peltier's memoir was
published—"Prison
Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance" (St. Martin's Press).
The work received wide acclaim and attracted the attention of
luminaries such as Britain's Queen Elizabeth. As a result, the
European Parliament approved a resolution calling for Peltier to be
freed and France's former First Lady Danielle Mitterand—president of the French human rights organization, France Libertés—also
called for the release of Leonard Peltier.
Editor
Harvey Arden said, "Leonard Peltier's powerful memoir, a Native
American spiritual testament, will shake the conscience of the
nation... and the world. It's a flaming arrow aimed at the circled
wagons of American injustice."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
calls it: "A deeply moving and very disturbing story of a gross
miscarriage of justice and an eloquent "cri de coeur" of Native
Americans for redress and to be regarded as human beings with
inalienable rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution…
We pray that it does not fall on deaf ears. America owes it to
herself."
Order Now!
Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance
by Leonard Peltier
You may wish to listen to a
reading
from Leonard's autobiography by Peltier's editor and friend,
Harvey Arden. |
