My experience in learning about Native
American culture up to this point has been lacking to say the least. The
majority of my history classes have focused on the United States perspective
and not that of Indigenous Americans. I have therefore been introduced to many
historical instances and people that I had either never heard of before, or
received incomplete information on. An incident that really changed my
perception was the “Incident at Oglala,” which was a controversial shootout
that occurred on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This shooting
occurred as a result of “Decades of shifting Indian policies and internal
conflicts, coupled with a dwindling land base and worsening economic
conditions” (Sayer 29). The tension leading up to the incident pales in
comparison to the legal battle that ensued after. Three individuals were
accused of the murder of two FBI agents, Robert Robideau, Dino Butler,
and Leonard Peltier. Robideau and Butler were found not guilty, but Peltier was
tried separately, and became a victim of the corruption and injustice from the
United States Legal system.
In following Peltier’s trial, I was able
to catch a glimpse into the types of unfair treatment many Native Americans
experience. There were several affidavits from witnesses (and supposed
witnesses), that were allowed to be revised and resubmitted numerous times,
each telling a different story of what happened at Pine Ridge. It was
determined afterwards that many of these witnesses had been threatened into
crafting a story which would depict Peltier and the American Indian Movement in
a negative light. There was also a great amount of corruption surrounding the
evidence against Peltier really changed my perspective on the legitimacy of the
Federal court system. The primary source of evidence was in regards to matching
a bullet to the gun that was supposedly used by Peltier in the shootout. This
was merely an assumption, and there was no real proof that Peltier used such a
weapon in the first place. The physical gun itself had been destroyed, and the
ballistic evidence was found to be inconclusive (Apted 1992). This has shown me
that the Federal government, who I would have liked to believe is a respectable
entity with the intentions of preserving human rights and freedoms, has
manipulated many innocent people in order to reach a conclusion for its own
benefit.
There was a great deal of negativity for
Native Peoples associated with this incident, but was glad I was able to see
their respect for each other’s personal responsibility. Even after many had
realized the identity of the actual shooter (“Mr. X”) they refused to turn him
in, because they did not believe it was right to turn against their people
(Apted 1992). Although, I personally believe whoever Mr. X is should have
revealed himself, rather than letting Peltier serve his sentence for him, but
that reflects his individual corruption, not the ideas of his people. Aside
from that individual, I gained an understanding and respect for the American
Indian Movement as well as Indian activist John Trudell, as their fight for
justice for Leonard Peltier is still a strong fight, and is still facing
corruption. They are keeping him in prison even in sickness and old age, not
allowing him visitors (Leonard Peltier Defense Committee).The federal
government is ignoring the support and request for justice for the Native
American community. Peltier’s case may be one of the more famous, but he is not
the only one who has suffered this corruption.
Apted,
Michael, Dir. Incident at Oglala. Miramax Films, 1992. Film.
Sayer, John William. Ghost Dancing the Law:
The Wounded Knee Trials. Campbridge: Harvard University Press, 1997.
"Welcome
to The Official Website Of Leonard Peltier Defense Committee." Welcome
To Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.
Web. 14 Dec. 2011. http://www.leonardpeltier.net/theman.htm
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