Introduction
by Gina Boltz, Director, Native Village Publications

    For the last few years, I've been printing and sending Native Village news articles to Leonard Peltier.   I hoped to help Leonard and his Native brothers stay connected to Indian Country.  A few months ago,  I invited Mr. Peltier to share messages for Native youth on the Native Village website.   What an honor when he agreed!  He suggested we work with the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee because his communication with them is most consistent.  Luckily, Toni Ziedan came along and joined as the communication source between Leonard and me.  She is a sweetie.    
     We all agreed Leonard's messages to youth would be words of inspiration, encouragement, and wisdom only.  Leonard Peltier, the political prisoner, will not speaking. You'll only hear Leonard Peltier, Native Elder.  Let me repeat that: these messages aren't from Leonard Peltier, the political prisoner, but from Leonard Peltier, Native Elder.
     We welcome our youth and all readers to Mr. Peltier's Native Village home.  This is an area of peace and understanding, a circle meant for setting aside "labels" and judgments, a place for simply listening to a man speak.  Thank you for joining us.

Background: 

     Leonard Peltier -- a great-grandfather, artist, writer, & indigenous rights activist -- is a citizen of the Anishinabe and Dakota/Lakota Nations.
      A participant in the American Indian Movement, he assisted the Oglala Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the mid-70s. During a tragic shoot-out on June 26, 1975, two agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation were killed. Leonard was accused of the murder and fled to Canada believing he would never receive a fair trial in the United States. 
    According to the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, that's exactly what happened: on February 6, 1976, Peltier was apprehended. The LPDC says the FBI knowingly gave the Canadian court false affidavits.  Peltier was returned to the U.S..
     During Leonard's trial, the LPDC claims key witnesses were banned from testifying.  Important evidence was ruled inadmissible. The U.S. Prosecutor could not find a single witness naming Peltier as the shooter. The only evidence was a bullet-casing found near the two agents that the government connected to the alleged murder weapon. Prosecutors argued the gun was the only one of its kind used during the shootout, and it belonged to Peltier. 
      Later, FBI documents were found saying more than one weapon of its type had been at the scene. Also, the FBI may have a ballistics report showing the shell casing did not come from the alleged murder weapon. Other troubling information emerged.
     At the time, however, the jury was unaware of these facts. Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He is currently imprisoned at the U.S. Penitentiary in Lewisburg, PA.  The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee is currently working for Leonard's release or, at the very least, a fair trial. 

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee: http://www.leonardpeltier.org/

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