Frank LaMere facts for kids

Franklin Dean LaMere (March 1, 1950 – June 16, 2019) was an important American activist and politician. He was a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska from South Sioux City. Frank LaMere was known for working to help his community. He was part of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the 1970s. He also worked to solve problems in Whiteclay, Nebraska. This town was near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol sales were not allowed. LaMere was a leader in the Democratic Party. He was chairman of the National Native American Caucus. He also attended the Democratic National Convention seven times in a row.

Early Life and Activism

Frank LaMere was part of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the early 1970s. AIM was a group that worked for the rights of Native American people. LaMere spoke out for changes to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This was a government office that dealt with Native American issues.

In November 1972, LaMere was a spokesperson for AIM members. They gathered in front of a federal building in Billings, Montana. They wanted to share a list of demands with the local director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

LaMere often talked about how Native Americans were shown in the media. He wanted to change unfair ideas or stereotypes. In the late 1980s, he used his sister's story to show how the media could treat Native Americans unfairly. He wanted people to see them as innocent victims, not just stereotypes.

Sports and Community Work

Frank LaMere was a good athlete when he was young. In 1989, he helped start an all-Native American fastpitch softball team called the "North Americans."

In the 1990s, LaMere led a protest involving 10,000 Sioux, Winnebago, and Omaha people. They lived near Sioux City, Iowa. They were protesting the name chosen for the local minor league baseball team, the "Sioux City Soos." The community felt the name was disrespectful. Because of their efforts, the team's name was changed to the Sioux City Explorers.

In the early 1990s, LaMere also worked with the Santee and Winnebago tribes. They wanted to get government loans to buy back reservation land. This land had been sold to non-Native Americans in deals that LaMere believed were unfair. In 1991, he was the chairman of a big conference in Spokane, Washington. This conference focused on jobs and training for Native Americans.

Helping Whiteclay, Nebraska

LaMere was very involved in a campaign against problems in Whiteclay, Nebraska. This town was very close to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Alcohol sales were not allowed on the reservation. LaMere tried many different ways to help the community. He thought about protests and even suggested opening a Native American-owned store. The money from this store would help fund a center to support people. He also argued that Whiteclay should be part of the reservation. He based this idea on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie.

On July 3, 1999, LaMere and other activists were arrested during a protest. They had crossed police lines. Later that year, LaMere and Russell Means thought about getting a license to sell beer in Whiteclay. Their goal was to use the money to help the tribe and build a treatment center. However, they stopped this plan because others in their group disagreed. Other activists who worked with LaMere on Whiteclay issues included Clyde Bellecourt and Dennis Banks.

LaMere continued his work in Whiteclay until 2016. In 2008, a filmmaker named Mark Vasina made a documentary about LaMere's efforts in Whiteclay. It was called The Battle for Whiteclay. On May 13, 2019, LaMere received an honorary degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. This was to honor his important work in Whiteclay.

Political Leadership

Frank LaMere was a strong leader in the Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the National Native American Caucus. He also worked as the executive director of the Nebraska Inter-Tribal Development Corporation. He was a member of the Nebraska Indian Commission.

LaMere was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention seven times. He attended every convention from 1988 to 2012. In the 2010s, he was the executive director of the Four Directions center in Sioux City, Nebraska. In 2011, he received the "War Eagle Human Rights award." This award recognized his lifelong work, including his efforts in Whiteclay. It also honored his work to support the 2003 Iowa Indian Child Welfare Act.

LaMere was also active in groups that opposed the Keystone XL pipeline in the early 2010s. This work connected him with Jane Fleming Kleeb from Bold Nebraska. Jane Kleeb became the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party in 2016. LaMere was then elected as the first associate chair.

Personal Life

Frank LaMere was married to Cynthia (Rouse). He had four children: Jennifer, Hazen, Manape Hocinci-ga, and Lexie Wakan. His parents were John LaMere and Matilda Rogue. He had many brothers and sisters. Sadly, his daughter Lexie Wakan passed away in 2014. In early 2012, LaMere had a stroke. Frank LaMere died on June 16, 2019, at the age of 69. He passed away from bile duct cancer.