OGLALA, S.D. -- The Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota is honoring former American Indian Movement leader Russell Means.
Means is a member of the tribe and gained national fame in the 1970s for his political activism related to the American Indian Movement. He helped lead the 71-day uprising at Wounded Knee in 1973. Means has gone on to become an actor in films such as "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Pocahontas."
Oglala Sioux President John Yellow Bird Steele declared June 26, 2012, as "Russell Means Day" to honor Means' "accomplishments, dedication and patriotism" to the tribe.
The signed proclamation was given to Means at the conclusion of a walk on Tuesday that commemorated the many people killed on the reservation during the 1970s.
Means was diagnosed last year with esophageal cancer. He announced shortly after the diagnosis that he would spurn mainstream treatment in favor of indigenous medicines and spiritual healing ceremonies.
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Means was a frequent critic of UND's Fighting Sioux nickname and participated in a 2001 protest outside the construction site for Ralph Engelstad Arena.
"It's no longer acceptable for the Washington Redskins, it's no longer acceptable for the Cleveland Indians, and it's no longer acceptable for the Fighting Sioux," Means told about 90 people gathered at the site.
Means also talked about organizing a protest to disrupt UND graduation ceremonies the following spring if the school hadn't dropped the nickname, which he called racist and demeaning. There was a student-organized "silent" protest, but Means did not participate, explaining that he and the protesting students "didn't want to ruin it for the other graduates on their happy day."
Means also spoke against the nickname in an appearance on ESPN in 2009.
