Richard Two Elk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Two Elk
|
|
|---|---|
| Two Elk | |
| Born | 1952 (age 72–73) |
| Nationality | American Indian |
| Occupation | Combat veteran Activist Medical NCO Radio Host Educational consultant Journalist |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Organization | American Indian Movement |
| Known for | Wounded Knee incident |
| Relatives | Aaron Two Elk (biological brother) Arlo Looking Cloud (adopted brother) Kodid (daughter) Alix (son) |
Richard Two Elk is a Native American veteran, journalist, and civil rights activist. He is well-known for being part of the Wounded Knee incident in the 1970s. He also hosted radio shows.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Richard Two Elk was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. He grew up in different parts of the United States. Richard is a direct descendant of Oglala Dakota Chief Two Elk.
His brother, Aaron Two Elk, also served in the military during the Vietnam War. Aaron was involved in Native American rights and was a member of the American Indian Movement. He passed away in 1994.
His Career in Radio and Military
Richard Two Elk started his public radio career in 1977. He worked on a weekly Native American radio show at Pacifica Radio station KPFA-FM in Berkeley, California.
In 1978, he moved to Boulder, Colorado. There, he helped create a Native American radio program at KGNU-FM. He stayed with KGNU until 1983.
From 1983 to 1987, Two Elk served in the United States Army. He worked as a medical non-commissioned officer. After leaving the military, he continued to work with KGNU sometimes. He hosted a monthly show called "WinterCamp Chronicles: Indian Voices of Our Times." Richard Two Elk also started his own media company, OG Productions.
Fighting for Rights
Richard Two Elk was a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in Denver. He was part of the group from 1970 to 1975. He later decided to step back from being an active member.
He was involved in the Wounded Knee incident. This was a major event where Native American activists occupied Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1973. Richard Two Elk later shared his experiences and views about the events that took place there.
Two Elk also provided information in a federal trial. This trial was about the death of activist Annie Mae Pictou-Aquash. He shared what he knew about the case.
Later, Richard Two Elk released a video. It was called "Richard Two Elk on Wounded Knee and the Truth-Hijacked & Blinded: The Stolen Legacy of Wounded Knee." In this video, he talked about some of the actions and reasons behind the American Indian Movement. He also shared his thoughts on a TV series about Wounded Knee.
His Contributions
Richard Two Elk has helped share the story of the Wounded Knee incident. He wrote the foreword for a book called American Indian Mafia: An FBI Agent's True Story about Wounded Knee, Leonard Peltier, and the American Indian Movement. This book shared the story of events around the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the American Indian Movement in the 1970s. It was written from the viewpoint of a former FBI agent.
