Biography

August 17, 1936 · Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, Roberts County, South Dakota, USA

December 13, 2007 · Los Angeles, California, USA (complications from leukemia)

A Dakota Sioux Indian, he is an actor, singer, songwriter and Native American advocate. He made his big-screen debut in Flic et rebelle (1989) and is best remembered for his role as elder/leader Ten Bear in Danse avec les loups (1990). His songs like "Custer Died For Your Sins" and "BIA Blues" have helped spread the American Indian Movement's message throughout the world. He has had featured roles in Bienvenue en Alaska (1990), La loi de Los Angeles (1986), and many other television series and movies. He performs with countless musicians including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and Don Henley in large benefit concerts for Indian self-determination, human rights and environmental protection. He toured the world with Sting to publicize the plight of the Rainforest People who are dying along with the Rainforests and, as caretakers, must be protected if the rain forests are to go on providing for all life on Earth. He has been an ambassador of good will representing the International Indian Treaty Council from the time of its inception.

He was born on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota. As a child, he left the reservation to attend a government boarding school, where his hair was cut and he was not allowed to speak his language.

Spokesperson for Lakota pain reliever.

He graduated from a reservation high school, served in the Marines for two years, and earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State College in South Dakota.

A renowned American Indian activist-singer-songwriter.