Lakota Freedom Delegation

Lakota Freedom Delegation
Name	Lakota Freedom Delegation
Formation	December 2007
Founders	Russell Means, Garry Rowland
Purpose	To assert the independence of the Lakota Nation from the United States

Lakota Freedom Delegation. The Lakota Freedom Delegation was a group of Lakota people who declared the independence of the Lakota Nation from the United States in December 2007. This declaration was made by Russell Means, a prominent American Indian Movement activist, and Garry Rowland, a Lakota elder, who traveled to Washington, D.C. to announce the Lakota Nation's withdrawal from all treaties with the United States government. The delegation's actions were supported by various Native American organizations, including the American Indian Movement and the National Congress of American Indians.

Introduction

The Lakota Freedom Delegation's declaration of independence was a significant event in the history of Native American-United States relations, drawing attention to the long-standing issues of treaty rights, land rights, and self-determination faced by Native American communities. The delegation's efforts were influenced by the work of Vine Deloria Jr., a prominent Native American scholar and activist, and Dennis Banks, a co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence was also supported by international organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Indian Treaty Council.

Background

The Lakota Freedom Delegation's declaration of independence was rooted in the historical context of Native American-United States relations, including the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and the Dawes Act of 1887. The Lakota Nation had long been seeking to assert its sovereignty and protect its land rights, which had been eroded by the United States government's policies of assimilation and termination. The delegation's efforts were also influenced by the work of Native American leaders, such as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo, who had resisted United States expansion and fought to protect their lands and way of life. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence was also supported by Canadian First Nations organizations, such as the Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Declaration of Independence

On December 17, 2007, the Lakota Freedom Delegation delivered a declaration of independence to the United States State Department, announcing the Lakota Nation's withdrawal from all treaties with the United States government. The declaration was signed by Russell Means and Garry Rowland, and was supported by various Native American organizations and leaders, including Leonard Peltier, a prominent American Indian Movement activist, and Wilma Mankiller, a former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The declaration of independence was also recognized by international organizations, such as the European Union and the African Union. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence was influenced by the work of Frantz Fanon, a Martinican philosopher and postcolonial theorist, and Edward Said, a Palestinian-American scholar and public intellectual.

Delegation Members

The Lakota Freedom Delegation was composed of several prominent Lakota leaders and activists, including Russell Means, Garry Rowland, and Duane Martin Sr.. The delegation's members were supported by various Native American organizations and leaders, including Dennis Banks, Leonard Peltier, and Wilma Mankiller. The delegation's efforts were also influenced by the work of Native American scholars and activists, such as Vine Deloria Jr., Ward Churchill, and Winona LaDuke. The Lakota Freedom Delegation's members were recognized for their contributions to the Native American rights movement by organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund.

International Recognition

The Lakota Freedom Delegation's declaration of independence received international recognition and support from various organizations and governments, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union. The declaration was also recognized by Bolivia, Venezuela, and other Latin American countries, which have historically supported indigenous rights and self-determination. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence was also supported by Canada, which has a long history of indigenous-settler relations and has recognized the rights of First Nations and Inuit peoples. The Lakota Freedom Delegation's efforts were influenced by the work of Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid leader, and Rigoberta Menchú, a Guatemalan indigenous rights activist.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Lakota Freedom Delegation's declaration of independence has had a lasting impact on Native American-United States relations, highlighting the need for greater recognition and respect for Native American sovereignty and self-determination. The declaration has also inspired other Native American communities to assert their independence and protect their land rights and cultural heritage. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence has been recognized as a significant event in the history of Native American activism, alongside other notable events such as the Wounded Knee Massacre, the Alcatraz Occupation, and the Trail of Broken Treaties. The Lakota Freedom Delegation's legacy continues to be felt today, with ongoing efforts to recognize and respect Native American rights and sovereignty in the United States and around the world. The Lakota Nation's declaration of independence has also been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian.

Category:Native American organizations