Billy Frank Jr. on Vine Deloria
Billy Franks's column on Vine Deloria Jr. was picked up by a couple newspapers: Tacoma News Tribune: Indian-rights activist inspired changes in laws, perception Indian Country Today: The vision of…
The Vision of Vine Deloria, Jr.
OLYMPIA (November 22, 2005) — My brother, Vine Deloria, Jr., of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, passed away on November 13, joining the likes of Joe DeLaCruz of the Quinault and Dutch Kinley of the Lummi as well as Joseph of the Nez Perce and Crazy Horse of the Lakota Sioux at the Great Council Fire. I will miss him deeply, and always be grateful for the brightness he contributed to the world.
Vine was a rock, a steady hand in the struggle for justice. He was a man of great vision and spirit who understood the ongoing need to value Indian legacies in both tribal and non-tribal societies. He knew the wisdom of learning from our predecessors and comprehending ageless tribal traditions.