Russell Means, Native American activist and actor, dead of cancer at 72

Native American political activist and actor Russell Means, founding member of AIM, has died at 72 of esophageal cancer. A NYT obituary is here. More: russellmeans.com.

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

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ZedZero

I met him years back and was impressed with his positive attitude and strength of character. Nothing to be sad about. It was a life lived large. I’ll never get half as much out of mine.
- awjt
  
  Don’t sell yourself short, dude! Be amazing!
scottman

I met Russell and Dennis Banks in Minneapolis in ’69 while working on a civil disobedience project in high school. They were in a second floor walk up. As a young, white, lad I was nervous as to whether they would be willing to help me. Russell and Dennis were very friendly and encouraging to me. Later on, in college, Russell spoke to us about AIM and his view of things. I was always impressed by his dedication and willingness to share. While there are those who would disagree with his tactics, I think he was instrumental in getting more exposure to native american issues. I hope he is remembered well as he should be.
mysterymoil

Fuck You, Cancer!!!
jim weed

if russell means were still alive he’d lecture you for saying “native american” instead of “american indian.”
- Antinous / Moderator
  
  It’s so true. Everyone I’ve ever met from AIM or related organizations says ‘Indian’. It seems slightly less weird when you realize that India is actually called Bharat.