"The Greatness of a Man is Measured by His Heart �?BR>and by this, he is called “Warrior�?/STRONG>by Sandy Chartrand Webb He is a human rights advocate. He contributes to social welfare organizations such as World Peace and Prayer Day, the First Nation Student Association, the Buffalo Trust Fund and the Trail of Hope (a Native American conference dealing with drug and alcohol addiction).
He has been instrumental in getting people from different tribes, with a history of animosity, to come together in peace. He advocates a non-violent approach and has argued for respect for rights of others.
He established a scholarship for American Indian students seeking law degrees at New York University, and assisted in the establishment of a newspaper by and for Native people.
And he worked with Dr. Steward Selkin of New York on efforts to restructure the delivery of health care on reservations, including substance abuse programs.
His love for children manifests in ongoing clothing and toy drives, a Christmas gift drive, and sponsorship of a child in El Salvador and one in Guatemala through Childreach.
He is a father and grandfather.
And he is in prison.
In 1977, Leonard Peltier was tried and convicted in connection with the shooting deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Surrounded by 150 agents, GOONS, and law enforcement, 40 Native Americans and members of AIM (American Indian Movement) defended themselves and the Jumping Bulls, a traditional Lakota family. For a period of three years, more than sixty traditional tribal members had been murdered, and many more assaulted. Evidence indicated that the GOONS were responsible for the majority, assisted by the FBI with intelligence and even armor piercing ammunition.
There were no witnesses who saw the killings.
In fact, the FBI terrorized and coerced a woman into signing an affidavit stating that she was Mr. Peltier’s girlfriend and witness to the shootings. Truth is, she didn’t even know him.
The FBI also concealed a ballistics report showing that the shell casing could not have come from the alleged murder weapon.
And at the trial, roughly 3,500 pages relating to the investigation were made available to the defense by the FBI.
Leonard’s attorneys have since discovered the existence of an additional 142,579 pages still withheld by the FBI - in spite of numerous attempts to secure these documents via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). AND, as of February 20, 2007, Michael Kuzma and Barry A. Bachrach, counsel for Mr. Peltier, have learned of another 15,264 pages being held in the Portland, Oregon FBI field office.
In 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit declared that, “Much of the government’s behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are undisputed.�?/STRONG>
And yet, the FBI continues to withhold thousands of pages of documents relating to Leonard Peltier.
In February, 2007, United States District Judge Donovan W. Frank and a three-judge panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit refused �?in two separate decisions �?to order the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to release these long-hidden documents.
Claims by the FBI that release of such information would cause serious damage to the national security of the United States and the war on transnational terrorism were upheld by both Judge Frank and the Appeals Court.
Thirty-one years have passed. Mr. Peltier sadly became an elder behind bars, traditionally an honor of high standing among his people.
At 62 years of age, Leonard Peltier sits in an 8�?x 8�?cell, still in maximum security.
At one time he got word that someone had been hired inside the prison to murder him. So, he tried to escape. He was transferred to another prison, and received yet another sentence for the escape attempt, added onto the existing two life sentences.
But, in spite of a grim existence, denial of freedom, few visitors, and a stroke, Leonard has hope. His powerful belief in truth and self, manifests in his magnificent paintings, portraits of strong, colorful dancers, autumn leaves from the memories of a past life, and in the eyes of a weathered but wise mentor and elder. For Leonard, freedom is his creativity and ability to paint from his soul.
In a self-portrait, an older Leonard with graying hair, a slight paunch, and pensive eyes, sits on the floor of his cell. His gaze reaches through broken bars on his cell window to a sacred Eagle, appearing from within a red tunnel, clutching handcuffs. But, the handcuffs are open!
It is Leonard’s vision of freedom. It is his hope.
Defending the traditions of his people was what he, and others, believed was honorable. Sometimes one must take a stand, and fight the fight.
Yes, Leonard is a Warrior. But not as we would think. Leonard is a Warrior in the traditional sense �?measured by how many people one cares for. It is not just protection of his people �?it is feeding, clothing, and supporting. It is loving.
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So, what can WE do? How can WE show the measure of our heart? How can WE stand for Truth and Justice?
We can request �?no, demand �?that all FBI documents withheld by the government rightfully be made available to Leonard Peltier’s attorneys immediately. 
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