Russell Means, a member of the Lakota Nation who has announced his candidacy for Governor of New Mexico in 2002, will deliver a speech titled “America: Right or Wrong” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13 in McCrary Theatre, located in the Faith Rockefeller Model Center for the Arts on the Elon campus. Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Fourm, Means’ speech is free and open to the public.
Means became the first national director of the American Indian Movement in the 1960s. Described by the Los Angeles Times as the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Means rose to national prominence during the 1972 Indian takeover at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.
In 1992, Means began a career in Hollywood, appearing in movies such as “The Last of the Mohicans” as well as several television series. He also published his biography, “Where White Men Fear to Tread,” in 1995, and has recorded two albums.
In October 2001, Means announced his intention to the New Mexico gubernatorial race as an Independent candidate. He must collect 15,000 signatures by July to be listed on the ballot.