Russell Means quotes

Russell Means was a prominent American activist and a leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM). His advocacy focused on Native American rights and cultural preservation, making him a significant figure in Indigenous activism. He also became known as an actor, lecturer, and outspoken critic of government policies affecting Native peoples. Here are 18 of his quotes:

Young people and Indian people need to know that we existed in the 20th Century. We need to know who our heroes are and to know what we have done and accomplished in this century other than what Olympic athletes Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills have done. (Russell Means)
When a woman grabs my braids and says "How cute!" I crab her breast and say "How cute!" She never touches me again! View quote
Russell Means
If I want my people to be free, Americans have to be free. View quote
Russell Means
'Indian policy' has now been brought down upon the American people, and the American people are the new Indians of the 21st Century. View quote
Russell Means
All European tradition, Marxism included, has conspired to defy the natural order of all things. Mother Earth has been abused, the powers have been abused, and this cannot go on forever. No theory can alter that simple fact. Mother Earth will retaliate, the whole environment will retaliate, and the abusers will be eliminated. View quote
Russell Means
No one except Hollywood stars and very rich Texans wore Indian jewelry. And there was a plethora of dozens if not hundreds of athletic teams that in essence were insulting us, from grade schools to college. That's all changed. View quote
Russell Means
So Indian policy has become institutionalized and the result has been that American people have become more dependent on government and that the American people have become more dependent on corporations. View quote
Russell Means
I had often wondered how to best decolonize my people... It must be done one human being at a time. Without that kind of help, Western society does not allow people to come to terms with their feelings. With honesty and therapy, my people can be made whole again. View quote
Russell Means
Being is a spiritual proposition. Gaining is a material act. Traditionally, American Indians have always attempted to be the best people they could. Part of that spiritual process was and is to give away wealth, to discard wealth in order not to gain. View quote
Russell Means
Let me go to Clinton's new proposal: to have uniforms in public schools. And people are doing that. How come they're doing that? Dress codes! I find that abhorrent. View quote
Russell Means
It takes a strong effort on the part of each American Indian not to become Europeanized. The strength for this effort can only come from the traditional ways, the traditional values that our elders retain. (Russell Means)
It's just unconscionable that America has become so stupid. View quote
Russell Means
I tell the truth, and I expose myself as a weak, misguided, misdirected, dysfunctional human being I used to be. View quote
Russell Means
In the government schools, which are referred to as public schools, Indian policy has been instituted there, and its a policy where they do not encourage, in fact, discourage, critical thinking and the creation of ideas and public education. View quote
Russell Means
Hollywood hasn't changed. It is the most racist, anti-Indian institution in the world. View quote
Russell Means
The one thing I've always maintained is that I'm an American Indian. I'm not politically correct. View quote
Russell Means
I'd like to talk about free markets. Information in the computer age is the last genuine free market left on earth except those free markets where indigenous people are still surviving. And that's basically becoming limited. View quote
Russell Means
I never knew I was an artist until I did 'Last of the Mohicans'. View quote
Russell Means