By JUAN ESPINOSA
WOUNDED KNEE, S.D. (Feb. 27, 2025) — Members and supporters of the American Indian Movement marked the 52-year anniversary of the liberation of Wounded Knee with a Four-Direction March and a celebration of Leonard Peltier’s release from prison, the honoring of four AIM veterans and a full slate of guest speakers, singing and drumming.
AIM Liberation of Wounded Knee 1973 has become an annual event held each year on Feb. 27 commemorating the both original massacre in 1890 where U.S. Army soldiers killed over 300 Lakota — mostly women and children — and the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation by AIM.
Organizers tried to arrange a visit by Leonard Peltier in person, but his travel request was denied. Peltier is expected to speak to the gathering via Zoom in the afternoon.
Peltier was freed Feb. 18 of this year after serving almost 50 years in federal prison after his 1977 conviction of killing two FBI agents. Throughout the decades Peltier has maintained his innocence. Supporters have said that he was the victim of badly flawed trial.
On his last day as president, Joe Biden granted Peltier clemency and freedom from prison, but stopped short of pardoning him for the murders.
At the Four-Direction March, PineRidge locals were joined by travelers from states as far away as Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and Minnesota.
“There are 50 people here from Pueblo (Colo.),” said Vicente Martinez Ortega in a text message early in the day. Martinez Ortega attended the event to represent La Cucaracha and El Movimiento Sigue.
A highlight of the annual AIM Liberation Day is the naming of AIM honorees who have had key roles in the movement. The following bios are reprinted from the event’s program.
Dick Marshall is a Oglala Lakota born in PineRidge, South Dakota. This AIM Vet never wavered from the challenges that opposed his community or the plight of indigenous people. He reiterates his commitment to the people by continuing to answer AIM’s call “Anywhere, Anytime, Any place.” In 1980 Amnesty International labeled him along with Leonard Peltier as political prisoners that were victims of the U.S. illegal use of the covert project COINTELPRO. Marshall served 19 years in prison, wrongly convicted of first- degree murder. Despite this injustice, Marshall’s spirit was never broken. Upon his release from prison he moved forward with his wife, his eight children the numerous tokojas that give his life joy and relief from all the odd’s that were placed upon him. Marshall has recently battled throat cancer and remains victorious in his proud Oglala Lakota homelands. We are privileged to have Dick Marshall as an Honoree for the 52nd Annual AIM Liberation Day of Wounded Knee.
Lenny Foster is Diné from Ft. Defiance, Arizona and still calls it home today. Lenny joined the Denver AIM chapter Fall of 1970 while a student at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. He was a part of the BIA building take over Nov. 9,1972 and then entered the Occupation of Wounded Knee on Feb. 27, 1973, the first day. Lenny bravely held down the Little Big Horn bunker which was the east perimeter of Wounded Knee. He fondly remembers other warriors in his bunker that held it down with him such as David Wilson, George Rogers, Fuzzy Miller, John Perote, Stan Lutender, Dick Lagarde, and especially John Carlson and Percy Casper who stood ‘till the very end. He was appointed by Leonard Crow Dog and Dennis Bank’s to be point man in leading AIM Leader Dennis Banks out safely from the occupation when it was ended. He proudly notes that Dennis Banks was the only Leader that never surrendered to authorities at that time. Thus, he and the AIM warriors that escaped with Dennis, “Never Surrendered” to police.
Foster continued his commitment to Indigenous peoples rights and liberation attending the Longest Walk in 1978. In 1992, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the International Indian Treaty Council, and sundanced for 26 years at Crow Dog’s Paradise and Big Mountain, Ariz. Those experiences lead him to found the Navajo Nations Corrections Project becoming the Director and spiritual advisor for more than 2,000 Native American inmates serving time in 96 state and federal prisons in the U.S. This allowed him to advocate for Leonard Peltier’s freedom and conducts sweat lodge ceremonies with him while incarcerated. He and others then formed the Leonard Peltier Official Support Committee.
He retired in 2018 and happily lives as father to his four children, Sen. Red Dawn Foster, Warlance Foster, Arminda Foster, and his late son Black Horse Foster who passed away in Denver due to police violence in 1998. He rejoices with his grandchildren Wiyaka, BlackHorse (named after his uncle), Dog Soldier, and Red Earth Woman. He continues to be active within the American Indian Movement as we honor him today for the 52nd annual AIM Liberation Day.
Frank Paro, co-director of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and a revered figure in the Native American community, passed away on Dec. 7, 2024
Paro was a pivotal member of AIM since it began in Minneapolis in 1968. Paro’s leadership and tenacity were instrumental in advancing the organization, which was created to address systemic issues affecting Native Americans in Minnesota and nationwide, including poverty, discrimination, police brutality, and rights to freely practice cultural traditions.
In response to civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police officers, Paro and AIM Ballanger announced the return of AIM Patrol. In partnership with organizations along Franklin Avenue’s American Indian Corridor in Minneapolis, they organized volunteers, protected community buildings, brought residents food and supplies, and ensured community safety, while police forces were occupied in other parts of the city. This swell of community activity inspired, AIM to host on-going community fires that continue today.
We are honored to recognize Frank Paro as honoree of the 52nd AIM Liberation Day celebration for his life-long contributions to the Movement.
Charles “Chucky” White Eagle, enrolled member of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was born on Oct. 7, 1995 in Rapid City, SD. He was the beloved son of Daron White Eagle and Michelle Swan, both of Rapid City, SD. Charles peacefully made his journey to the spirit world on April 29, 2024 at his home in Rapid City, SD.
Chucky helped bring a resurgence of activism in his community of Rapid City. He joined the Dakota AIM Grassroots chapter and took his place as a warrior. Chucky volunteered to be a part of AIM’s launching of a newly formed Creek patrol in 2021 which aimed to provide services to those living along Rapid Creek in his city. On many occasions, in all types of weather, snow or shine, Chucky brought food, water, blankets and provided aid to all those in need.
Chucky enjoyed singing with his crew WanbliSka Society. He used his voice to bring great comfort at times of sorrow and brighten spirits in ceremony and celebrations. On Sept.12, 2023 he traveled to Washington D.C providing security for 35 people who were arrested and cited for violations during a planned demonstration near the White House advocating for the release of Leonard Peltier from federal prison on his 79th birthday. This action galvanized a new push for President Biden to release Leonard Peltier and give him his freedom which was achieved this new year 2025.
Chucky did not live to see this victory, but today we honor him for all his contributions to the American Indian Movement ideals and spiritual values that brought about this day. It is our privilege to recognize Charles Chucky White Eagle as a AIM Liberation Day honoree.
