The only way you can be free is to know is that you are worthwhile as a distinct human being.
Russell MeansIโm a human being, Iโm not anyoneโs mascot! And I am Americaโs conscience. And thatโs what they donโt want to look at. They would rather look at a cartoon character than at the deceit of this country and this government.
Russell MeansBefore AIM, Indians were dispirited, defeated, and culturally dissolving. People were ashamed to be Indian. You didn't see the young people wearing braids or chokers or ribbon shirts in those days. Hell, I didn't wear 'em. People didn't Sun Dance, they didn't Sweat, they were losing their languages. Then there was that spark at Alcatraz, and we took off. Man, we took a ride across this country. We put Indians and Indian rights smack dab in the middle of the public consciousness for the first time since the so-called Indian wars.
Russell MeansEven though the American Indian Movement on a national-international scale has proven to be extremely dysfunctional, the American Indian Movement I was associated with I'm very proud of. We were a revolutionary, militant organization whose purpose was spirituality first, and that's how I want to be remembered.
Russell Means