MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
August 30, 1973 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan reports of harassment by the FBI and federal marshals coming out from Wounded Knee. Occupiers talk of rapes, shootings, and beatings. There are several harassment suits that have been opened against some FBI officers in Rapid City, South Dakota, including an incident of a man getting kicked down the stairs and that of a little girl getting shot in the eye. Thus far, no arrests have been made.
August 31, 1973 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan reports on American Indian Movement co-founder Clyde Bellecourt’s hospitalization and a discussion to move him over security risk concerns.
August 31, 1973 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan interviews unknown speaker (most likely Vernon Bellecourt), after arrest with Russell Means at Baptist Hospital while visiting Clyde Bellecourt on Aug. 30th. This immediately followed indictments handed down by the Indian grand jury in Custer, South Dakota.
August 31, 1973 - Vernon Bellecourt, American Indian Movement leader, is fasting until all arrested are released on reduced bond amounts.
September 2, 1973 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan interviews unknown speaker, most likely Vernon Bellecourt, after arrest with Russell Means at Baptist Hospital while visiting Clyde Bellecourt on Aug. 30, which immediately followed indictments handed down by the Indian grand jury in Custer.
September 3, 1973 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan reports on the condition and fall out from shooting of AIM leader Clyde Bellecourt.
September 18, 1973 - Vine Deloria Jr., a treaties expert and author of In Utmost Good Faith and We Talk, You Listen, talks with MPR’s Kevin McKiernan. Topics include religion, treaties, and Wounded Knee.
October 18, 1973 - Clyde Bellecourt talks about the federal government conspiracy to assassinate the leadership of the AIM. He says the government is blatantly trying to silence voices of oppressed, such as the Black Panther leaders, the May Day 1971 crowds, and the Indians indicted for Wounded Knee. Bellecourt states that Oglala Nation and AIM accept the challenge of BIA.
December 16, 1973 - Ron Libertus speaks about American Indian art, Native American culture, and family et al.
February 20, 1974 - MPR’s Bob Potter reports on Clyde Bellecourt speech on Indian reform policy. Bellecourt wants a treaty making commission to re-examine existing treaties with the U.S. and make new ones if necessary. He also wants Congress to create a commission to re-examine the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934; to give government back to the Indian people and allow them to govern themselves.