Dennis Banks facts for kids
Dennis Banks (April 12, 1937 – October 29, 2017) was an important Native American leader, teacher, and writer. He was a key figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM), which he helped start in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1968. AIM worked to support Native Americans living in cities.
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Banks
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Banks in 2013
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| Born | April 12, 1937 Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota, United States
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| Died | October 29, 2017 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | Ojibwe, American |
| Other names | Nowa Cumig |
| Occupation | Teacher, lecturer, activist, author |
| Children | 20 |
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Dennis Banks was born in 1937 on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. His Ojibwe name was Nowa Cumig.
When he was five, Dennis was sent to a federal Indian boarding school. These schools were run by the government to teach Native American children English and mainstream culture. Children were often not allowed to speak their native languages or practice their traditions. Dennis often ran away to be with his family. He attended Pipestone Indian Boarding School in Minnesota.
At 17, Banks joined the United States Air Force and served in Japan. He found it interesting to be in a place where Europeans were a minority. Events during his time there, like protests against a military base, greatly influenced his views.
Returning Home
After his time in the military, Dennis Banks returned to Minnesota. He faced some legal challenges and spent time in custody.
Becoming an Activist
Starting AIM
In 1968, Dennis Banks helped create the American Indian Movement (AIM) in Minneapolis. AIM's main goal was to protect the rights of Native Americans, especially those living in cities.
Banks took part in the 1969–1971 occupation of Alcatraz Island. This protest, led by Native American students, aimed to highlight Native American issues and promote their right to govern their own lands.
Trail of Broken Treaties
In 1972, Banks helped organize AIM's "Trail of Broken Treaties." This was a large caravan of activists who traveled across the United States to Washington, D.C. They wanted to bring attention to the problems faced by Native Americans. When government officials did not meet with them, Banks helped lead a protest at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offices. During this protest, many important documents were moved or misplaced.
Wounded Knee Protest
In 1973, Banks went to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Local Lakota people had asked for help with issues they faced with law enforcement. Banks and other AIM activists led a protest in Custer, South Dakota. Later, they occupied the historic site of Wounded Knee.
This occupation lasted 71 days and gained national attention. Dennis Banks was a main leader and negotiator during this time. After the protest ended, Banks and many others were arrested. He was found not guilty of the charges related to Wounded Knee. However, he was found guilty of charges related to the earlier protest in Custer.
Education and Later Work
While living in California from 1976 to 1983, Dennis Banks earned a degree from the University of California, Davis. He taught at Contra Costa College and D-Q University, a college for Native Americans, where he became its first Native American leader.
In 1978, he started the first "spiritual run" from Davis to Los Angeles, California. This run is now an annual event. He also taught at Stanford University in 1979.
In 1984, Banks found safety with the Onondaga Nation in New York. While there, he organized the "Great Jim Thorpe Longest Run." This run aimed to help the family of Jim Thorpe, a famous Native American athlete, get back the gold medals he won at the 1912 Summer Olympics.
In 1985, Banks went to South Dakota to face his earlier charges. He spent 18 months in prison. After his release, he worked as a counselor on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He also worked to protect ancient Native American burial sites from being disturbed. His efforts led to new laws in Kentucky and Indiana to protect these sites.
In 2006, Banks led "Sacred Run 2006." This spiritual run went from Alcatraz Island in San Francisco to Washington, D.C. The runners carried a message of "Land, Life and Peace." They traveled about 100 miles each day and arrived in Washington, D.C., on Earth Day. This run also showed support for people rebuilding after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Since "The Longest Walk" in 1978, these spiritual runs have become an international movement. Sacred Run 2006 included runners from many countries. In 2008, "The Longest Walk 2" followed a similar path. Dennis Banks delivered a "Manifesto for Change" to a member of Congress.
Banks also served on the board of trustees for Leech Lake Tribal College in Minnesota.
Politics and Other Activities
In 2016, Dennis Banks was nominated as a vice-presidential candidate for the Peace and Freedom Party, a political party in California.
Banks also appeared in several movies, including War Party (1988), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), and Thunderheart (1992).
He also released a musical album called Still Strong in 1993, which featured his own songs and traditional Native American music. He also contributed to albums by other musicians.
Family Life
Dennis Banks had a large family. He had 20 children and more than 100 grandchildren. In his later years, he was in a committed relationship with JoJo Brooks Shifflett, a Lumbee attorney and Native Rights Activist.
Music Album
In 2012, Banks worked with famous artist Kitaro on a CD called Let Mother Earth Speak. This project shared a message of international peace, along with stories and life lessons from Banks, set to Kitaro's music.
Death
Dennis Banks passed away on October 29, 2017, in Rochester, Minnesota. He was 80 years old.
Film Appearances
- War Party (1988)
- The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
- Thunderheart (1992)
- Older Than America (2008)
- American Experience (2009, TV Series documentary)
- A Good Day to Die (2010, Documentary)
- Nowa Cumig: The Drum Will Never Stop (2011, Documentary)
- California Indian (2011)
His Book
- Banks, Dennis and Richard Erdoes (2004). Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN: 0-8061-3580-8
