Vernon Bellecourt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon Bellecourt
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Bellecourt ca. 1970s
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| Born | October 17, 1931 |
| Died | October 13, 2007 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | White Earth Band of Ojibwe |
| Other names | WaBun-Inini |
| Known for | American Indian Movement leader |
| Relatives | Clyde Bellecourt (brother) |
Vernon Bellecourt (whose Ojibwe name was WaBun-Inini, meaning "Man of Dawn") was an important leader and activist. He was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe from Minnesota. Born on October 17, 1931, he spent his life fighting for the rights of Native American people. He was a key figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM) until his death on October 13, 2007.
Contents
Vernon Bellecourt's Life and Work
Early Years and Family
Vernon Bellecourt was one of 12 children. He was born on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. He lived there until he was 16 years old. In 1947, his family moved to Minneapolis. They hoped to find better chances for their family in the city.
Later, Vernon became a hairdresser. He even opened several beauty salons in Saint Paul. He got married and had children. In the mid-1960s, he sold his businesses and moved his family to Aspen, Colorado.
Leading the American Indian Movement
Vernon Bellecourt became a major leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM). His younger brother, Clyde Bellecourt, helped start AIM in 1968. Vernon quickly joined the group. He helped create the AIM chapter in Denver and was its first leader. AIM worked to make sure Native Americans had equal rights in cities. It also taught people about their rich cultural and spiritual traditions.
Bellecourt took part in the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties. This was a large caravan that traveled to Washington, D.C. He helped talk with officials when AIM members protested at the Bureau of Indian Affairs building. He was also briefly present during the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation in South Dakota. During this 71-day standoff, he spoke for AIM and helped raise money.
After the Wounded Knee protest, Bellecourt worked with the International Indian Treaty Council. This group works to protect the rights of Indigenous people across North and South America. He became a leader for AIM's work around the world. He met with leaders from other countries, like Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Yasser Arafat. Vernon Bellecourt also spent many years working to help another AIM activist, Leonard Peltier.
Fighting Against Sports Mascots
Vernon Bellecourt was also the president of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media. He strongly believed that using Native American names and images for sports teams was wrong. He fought against team names like the "Washington Redskins" and mascots like "Chief Wahoo" of the Cleveland Indians.
He protested many times against these mascots. For example, he was arrested twice in Cleveland while protesting the "Chief Wahoo" mascot. During the 1997 World Series, he protested outside the stadium. Even though he was arrested, the charges against him were dropped.
Final Years
In 2007, Vernon Bellecourt traveled to Venezuela. He was invited by the Venezuelan government to attend a meeting about Indigenous peoples. He met with President Hugo Chávez. They talked about how Venezuela might help Native American groups.
Soon after this trip, Bellecourt became sick. He was taken to the hospital. He passed away from pneumonia in Minneapolis at the age of 75.
See also
- Native American mascot controversy
