Leonard Peltier went home to Turtle Mountain, North Dakota, on February 19, 2025, after almost 50 years in prison. Just before leaving office on January 20, outgoing U.S. president Joe Biden commuted his life sentence.
Peltier’s story is virtually a textbook illustration of everything that is wrong with the criminal justice and incarceration systems in the United States, having been incarcerated as a political prisoner in 1976 for the murder of two FBI agents that he did not commit; Leonard was tried and charged as part of FBI actions to destroy the American Indian Movement (AIM).
Much mainstream media coverage has been devoted to Leonard Peltier's release. There has been mention of his spiritual practice, his art, and even of the injustice of his long incarceration – though little mention of his strong political views has been made. In addition to his participation in AIM, Leonard Peltier was the Peace & Freedom Party nominee for President of the United States in 2004. He was also originally nominated to be the vice-presidential nominee on the PFP ticket in 2020, but had to withdraw due to health issues.
The statement made by Leonard which appeared in the California official ballot pamphlet is as relevant today as it was over twenty years ago. In honor of his release, we run that statement in full below.
And welcome home, Leonard Peltier!
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I am a Native American who has suffered nearly 28 years in prison, even though government attorneys and courts acknowledge that the government withheld evidence, fabricated evidence, and coerced witnesses to fraudulently convict me. But the courts say they have no power to correct the wrongs of our government. If the Courts do not, who does?
I will ensure that all peoples receive justice. Environmental protection is paramount for our survival. The earth is our sacred Mother who nourishes us. Our government is destroying the earth by allowing its usurpation for greedy purposes. I will protect the environment. All minorities must be allowed to maintain their languages and traditions with dignity. I personally suffered the indignity of being deprived of speaking my native tongue and following Lakota traditions. This country has engaged in genocidal policies to exterminate virtually every minority, especially those who express dissent and seek equal justice.
Now is the time to end the continuing injustices of this government and ensure liberty and equal health care to all. Luther Standing Bear, a Sioux Chief, stated: "Out of the Indian approach to life became a great freedom – an intense and absorbing love for nature; a respect for life; enriching in a supreme power; and principals of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guard to mundane relations." That statement exemplifies the basic truths of life. I will represent all people, not the entrepreneurs who care only how much money can be stuffed into their pockets.
