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You can never imagine the heartfelt comfort it brings to know you're not
forgotten in prison. This is my 28th year, and I've seen others come and
go and return again. I can't help but feel a great sorrow for many of
these young men who keep coming back for one reason or another; most of
which are alcohol related offenses. So much has changed since I came here
and yet, in many ways, it's still the same.
The government, under the pretext of security and progress, liberated us
from our land, resources, culture, dignity and future. They violated every
treaty they ever made with us. I use the word "liberated" loosely and
sarcastically, in the same vein that I view their use of the words
"collateral damage" when they kill innocent men, women, and children.
They describe people defending their homeland as terrorists, savages and
hostiles, and accuse us of being aggressors. We have never fought a battle
or war that was not on our own land; we never fired the first shot ...
ever. My words reach out to the non-Indian: Look now before it's far too
late - see what is being done to others in your name and see what
destruction you sanction when you say nothing. Your own treaty, the one
between yourselves and the government, is being violated daily; this
treaty is commonly known as the Constitution.
With us, they started a little at a time, encroaching on our rights until
we had none at all. It will be the same for the Constitution; this is not
conjecture, but fact. We are not embattled with the color of man, but with
the weakness of man, a mindset that lusts for power and wealth at the
expense of life.
Men of all colors, cultures and religions must stand together to oppose
the genocidal policies that face us all as the corporate world seeks to
enslave all, and pit one nation against another.
If you avoid breaking laws and do what you're told and ignore the poor,
the oppressed and the downtrodden - you probably won't be bothered. If you
try to right what is wrong, however, you will surely meet great opposition
and run the risk of imprisonment or death.
I am a Sun Dancer. I took a vow for my people. I chose to seek the
Creator's will and to follow it to the best of my ability. I WILL NOT
STAND DOWN FROM THAT VOW. I will continue to speak, write and organize
until Grandfather himself quiets my life. If I can do this in prison, I
have no doubt you can do much better from where you stand.
I encourage you to do your best, be kind to one another, seek harmony and
balance with all natural life, enjoy what freedom you have left, and most
of all, never, never give up.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier
Mitakuye Oyasin
