Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement

As a university graduate in 1973, I was greatly moved by the struggle for human rights and fight for self-dignity by the original inhabitants of what became known as North America. Wounded Knee was the catalyst for what has become a greater love and respect for Indian people. From that moment forward, I was a "spiritual" member of the American Indian Movement. During the last forty years, I have had the privilege of meeting most of the original leaders of AIM and was always welcomed at Native gatherings in New York, St. Paul, Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, San Francisco and too many other locales to mention, even as a white man. My wife and I remember taking Dennis to the Newark Airport after one such gathering and I will never forget looking in the rear-view mirror as Dennis was standing on the sidewalk waving goodbye. No matter the negative things that have been written about AIM, including some that I witnessed with my own eyes, I continue to focus on the positive contribution made by so many Indian people who died and risked their lives, simply to be treated as human beings. The struggle continues at a very high price. For the last eight years, I have been working in China. Four years ago I began teaching English to some of the finest and smartest high school seniors on the planet. As I write this review, I am finishing my current semester in China teaching the kids about AIM and screening "A GOOD DAY TO DIE". They of course know nothing about Native Americans other than the criminal Columbus. I am doing my best to change their thinking. Dennis' song, "Still Strong" resonates in my head on almost a daily basis. I read Dennis' book upon original publication and have revisited it several times. I hope to see you again one day my friend.Tim PattersonZhengzhou, Henan Province, People's Republic of China

Great story. Should be a movie

'Ojibwa Warrior' by Dennis J. Banks (aka Nowa Cumig in the Ojibwa language)is a long overdue record of the cruelty the U.S. Government and this society has inflicted on the American Indians right up to this day.I was in Minneapolis at the time of the uprising of AIM. I was sympathetic to this cause. As an anglo I was not fully aware of the details until I read this book. The media did not broadcast the events being played out accurately. They just presented the American government side and made the Indians appear as troublemakers. All the Indians did was run out of patience of centuries of mistreatment; and throw it all back on the invaders. They are the original and true residents of this continent. Invaders took over and murdered Indian nations and tribes after arriving from the Eastern Hemisphere and it continued as a routine way of life with the successive generations of anglos.This autobiography is a true account of the history of this society and what has been happening to the American Indians right up to now - the twenty-first century of this civilization we live in!THIS BOOK IS A MUST for educational insitutions and their history and cultural courses in addition to A MUST FOR PRIVATE READING. Only by reading this book and "Where White Men Fear To Trend" by Russell Means will the American people really know the true record of events of the American Indians' circumstances in their own homeland, especially during our recent and current times.

If you ever wondered who this man was, why he is so prominent in the Native Nations, read this book. It's Banks personal history regarding why he & so many others joined together to make people aware that the Treaties were never honored by the US government. If you need to understand why people are so angry in the Nations, read this.

This is a cool book, and if you want to research AIM, it is worth your time. Banks was the leader of the American Indian Movement, originally a movement modeled on the Black Panthers that turned into something much more revolutionary. It was also a religious movement that relied on Lakota Religion. Banks is a great place to start if you want an exciting introduction to AIM's activities. Of course, he skims over a few things but in general its definitely worth your time.After you read this, read Huey P. Newton's Revolutionary Suicide and compare the two.Also, the 2010 documentary A Good Day To Die is a great summary of AIM's activities and it heavily features members of AIM, including Dennis Banks.

Dennis Banks is a class act. I'm only half way through the book, but it's excellent! He has overcome MUCH in life with love and children, and of course defending his much-deserved rights in this country. I'm most impressed with his ability to overcome alcohol use; it's satan's liquid for sure. I hope he will meet his daughter from overseas some day, but if not in this life in the Hereafter. Peace be with you Dennis. I encourage you to consider the life of a Muslim with your natural habitat. Islam in it's TRUE form is most beautiful of all!

ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING! I don't think you would even have to be into the subject matter to enjoy reading this book. It reads that well. That said; anybody looking at this book probably is "into it". Fills in all the gaps and does so on a personal level. You'll feel as if you were there standing with them . One of the best books I have ever read.

I purchased this book for an anthropology class and I found it to bean interesting read, but not an easy read. The book is written as if the author is actually talking to you so it tends not to be very smooth, however the content is very interesting and enlightening. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what the Native Americans are really like, how they live, and more importantly how they are treated in their own country.

I bought this as a gift for a friend who had heard about Dennis Banks on a radio programme. Some of the reviews I read found the book rather difficult to follow but my friend said he would love a copy - so I bought it for him. He thoroughly enjoyed it and said it was moving and thought provoking - so hence, I have given it five stars because my friend said that is what he would give it.

another very good autobiography of Dennis Banks,a great read as i could not put the book down.many thanks to Amazon

This is an excellently written view from the other side of history. It reads like sitting there over a cup of coffee and chatting rather than the watered down $100 word version we are so used to seeing from academic writers

This is an impressive record of experiences made by one of the founders of the American Indian Movement, Dennis Banks. He recounts his experiences at a boarding school where he was taken forcibly as a child. Also, his experiences later on with the racially biased US Justice system, and as a soldier within the US Army. Lastly, also his experiences made with the corrupt elected Indian officials, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I found this book to be an inspiration for all those fighting for a more just and better world.

Book was in EXCELLENT condition! Very happy about that. I'd order again. Thank you!