Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier will be coming home after nearly half a century to his tribal homelands after being convicted in 1997 for the murder of FBI agents in an American Indian Movement (AIM) on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Leonard Peltier is a Indigenous activist that fought for Indigenous rights from 1973-1975 during the “Second Wounded Knee” protest.
As many Indigenous people’s were a part of this peaceful protest, two FBI agents were found dead. A search was initiated and Peltier was found to be the suspect.
Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama rejected Peltier’s clemency request. He was also denied parole in 1993, 2009, and 2024.
The White House released information about Peltier, who is now 80 years old and of declining health, will be transferred into home confinement.
Many Indigenous people are happy that someone who was fighting for their voices and rights, is being recognized and released.
Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective Founder and CEO shared his thoughts on the release of Peltier.
“Leonard Peltier’s liberation is our liberation, and while home confinement is not complete freedom, we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his day surrounded by loved ones, healing and reconnecting with his land and culture”.
On Monday Jan. 20, Peltier had an on the phone conversation from prison with a member of the NDN Collective Indigenous rights group, and shared his thoughts.
“Tell all the people in Indian country and all the supporters, I want to show the world I’m a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me”.
Peltier also stated that his release will be just as good as freedom, even if he has to stay in the house.
Peltier is set to be released on Feb. 18, 2025.
