In 1969, Russell joined an Indian rights group from Minnesota, Minneapolis called the American Indian Movement. Since then, Russell has continued to work diligently for the rights of his people. In the true sense, Russell has lived up to his third name, Oyate Wacinyapi(Works For The People).


The A.I.M. leaders are dedicated to be the advocates for any Indian man or woman, any Indian family, any Indian community, or any Indian nation. All they have to do is call them and they will respond. But, they will not go anywhere unless they are invited.

Let me be a free man,
free to travel, free to stop,
free to work, free to trade where I choose,
free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers,
free to talk, think and act for myself --and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.

1970 - Cleveland Indian lawsuit

1970 - Mount Rushmore takeover

1970 - Protest at Plymouth Rock

1971 - Chippewa Flowage Damn Occupation

1972 - Gordon, NE takeover

1972 - Trail of Broken Treaties

1973 - Wounded Knee siege

1974 - Wounded Knee trial in Saint Paul, MN

1974 - Established International Indian Treaty Council at the United Nations

1978 - The Longest Walk

1980 - "For America to Live, Europe Must Die" - Internationally renowned speech reprinted in October 1980 of Mother Jones Magazine.

1981 - Yellow Thunder Camp

1986 - Nicaragua

1987 - Run for the Presidency of the United States of America

1992 - 500 Years After Columbus - Stopped Columbus Day parade in the city where it was founded in 1907 - Denver, CO.

In 1979, Means reorganized the Dakota American Indian Movement. Currently, Means works with the Colorado chapter of AIM, where he is part of the Elders' Council.

AIM - Denver, CO
click on
Colorado Aim
1574 So. Pennsylvania Ave.
Denver, CO 80210 (USA)
(303) 871-0463