Imagine being imprisoned for half your life for a crime you didn’t commit.
Leonard Peltier spent nearly 50 years in prison, accused of murdering two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in the 1975 shooting at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota on faulty evidence.
He was recently granted clemency in January 2025 by former President Joe Biden.
Peltier zoomed in as a keynote speaker along with fellow activist from the American Indian Movement Darelle “Dino” Butler, on Monday Oct. 13, the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts hosted an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
According to the Oregon State University website, Indigenous Peoples’ Day began as a counter holiday to Columbus Day in 1977.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day highlights the importance of Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and struggles.
The event began with a recognition of the nine tribal nations of Oregon, followed by statements from OSU president Jayathi Murthy, Corvallis mayor Charles Maughan, coordinator of Indigenous Studies Luhui Whitebear, and Director of Tribal Relations Chance Whiteeyes.
Before they screened the film “Free Leonard Peltier”, both Peltier and Butler spoke out about their experiences in the American Indian Movement (AIM).
“We have to get out there and resist,” said keynote speaker Leonard Peltier, who zoomed into the event.
“Some of the people involved in all of this were murderers, they raped our women and our children, killed our women and children, and tried to kill us men,” said Peltier.
He emphasized the importance of unification and continuing to stand together.
Butler is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siltez Indians who became involved in the AIM and met Peltier, he was also arrested at the Pine Ridge shootout, but the court later ruled that he was not guilty on grounds of self-defense.
Butler spoke about the importance of traditional prayer and added that “we need to look towards our ancestors for that strength and understanding that we need to unify ourselves as a people”.
Along with the celebration at PRAX, the Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws is hosting a guest speaker Deborah Miranda on Wednesday Oct. 15, an OSU Indigenous Community Welcome on Thursday Oct. 16, OSU is also showcasing ongoing exhibits of books and films by Indigenous creators.
Kailani Potter, a third-year Political Science major minoring in Indigenous Studies attended the event because she wanted to hear the stories of Indigenous activism and perspectives.
“It’s always really powerful to hear from Indigenous people, about the things that they’ve been through,” Potter said.
For more information about the film “Free Leonard Peltier” visit the film’s website.
