Dennis Banks

Dennis Banks (April 12, 1937 – October 29, 2017) was a Native American leader, teacher, lecturer, activist, actor and author. He was an Anishinaabe born on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Banks was also known as Nowa Cumig. His name in the Ojibwe language means "In the Center of the Universe". He was a longtime leader of the American Indian Movement, which he co-founded in 1968 with Native Americans in Minneapolis.

Dennis Banks
Dennis Banks (8673602267) (cropped).jpg
Banks in 2013
Born(1937-04-12)April 12, 1937
DiedOctober 29, 2017(2017-10-29) (aged 80)
NationalityOjibwe, American
Other namesNowa Cumig
OccupationTeacher, lecturer, activist, author
Children20

Banks had roles in the movies War Party (1988), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Thunderheart (1992), and Older Than America (2008).

In August 2016, Banks received the vice presidential 2016 election nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party, a socialist political party with ballot access in California.[1] He appeared on the California ballot with presidential nominee Gloria La Riva.[2]

Banks died of complications from pneumonia on October 29, 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 80.[3]

References

  1. Winger, Richard (August 13, 2016). "Peace & Freedom Party Nominates Gloria LaRiva for President". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  2. "Meet Dennis Banks - Gloria La Riva for President 2016 — Vote Socialist!". Gloria La Riva for President. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  3. McFadden, Robert D. (October 30, 2017). "Dennis Banks, American Indian Civil Rights Leader, Dies at 80". https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/obituaries/dennis-banks-dead-american-indians.html. Retrieved October 30, 2017. 

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