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The American Indian Movement. The Alcatraz Island occupation. The Wounded Knee takeover. The Longest Walk. These are some of the notable events that propelled Native American issues onto the national stage during a critical time. Ojibwe activist Dennis Banks is closely associated with all of them. The towering and sometimes controversial figure walked on in October. He’s known for his early, in-your-face activism that exposed federal corruption and bias against Native Americans. He spent his last years quietly raising awareness against the scourge of addictive drugs, domestic violence and other destructive influences on reservations. We’ll talk with his friends and family members about his life and accomplishments.
Guests:
Tashina Banks-Rama (Lakota/Ojibwe) – executive director of advancement Red Cloud Indian School and daughter of Dennis Banks
Minoh Banks (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) – son of Dennis Banks
Robby Romero (Apache/Pueblo) – Native rock musician
Break Music: Longest Walk 2 (song) Dennis Banks & KITARO (artist) Let Mother Earth Speak (album)
Thank you Banks family for remembering what is important and continuing to share your dad and grandpa with us.
Helped with the Airlift way back in 1980 or 81. Dennis left a personal thanks note on my desk… And a badge! Missed him and lost the badge but met him on the ferry to Alcatraz one Thaings Taken early morning!!
I am Rumšen Ohlone and Gabrieleño and in the 70’s I heard about Dennis Banks and the Movement and the causes he was fighting for. I was home raising my family in Southern California and deep inside wished I could be part of what was going on. A few years ago I had the honor of meeting Dennis Banks on the Longest Walk 5. My husband and I developed a strong relationship with Dennis that continued to the end. We had the opportunity to be with Dennis in Los Angeles this past June while he shopped for souvenirs for his family. It was great to see this side of him. He was just being Dad. The last time I spoke to him was in early September when he called to tell us about his health problems. The last thing he said to me was “I love you guys.” Seems kind of odd but something told me to record the conversation which I’ve never done before. It was almost like we both knew what was going to happen. The last phone call we received from him was October 16th. He called us at 4 in the morning because he heard of my Mother’s passing and wanted to offer his condolences. My husband answered the phone and tried to wake me but I was exhausted and couldn’t wake up to speak to him. I regret not being able to speak to him that morning but his phone call reinforced what we already knew about what a caring man he was. Et:en Dennis Banks we’ll be missed but never forgotten✊???❤️