"Vine Deloria Jr., our indigenous champion, has walked on, causing a tsunami of emotions that will rock the heart of Indian country, and beyond, for a long time.
He was never quite comfortable with the notion that he was, in fact, the principal champion of tribal nations since he wanted - no, demanded - that each Native nation express confidence in its own national identity, develop its own unique talents and together wield their collective sovereignty, that is, their dignity and integrity, in a way that enriches them and the nations around them as well.
Deloria's multitude of accomplishments, including two dozen books (beginning with ''Custer Died for Your Sins''), several hundred articles, thousands of speeches and testimonials, etc., covering topics as broad as federal Indian law and policy, anthropology, American Indian studies, education, theology, indigenous knowledge systems, science, and numerous other fields, are staggering for their depth and breadth. In recent years, he had reluctantly begun to accept various ''lifetime'' achievement awards for his sustained and prodigious intellectual and pragmatic efforts aimed at improving conditions for all oppressed groups - beginning with tribal nations. Still, his unique human quest cannot be easily summarized."
Get the Story:
David Wilkins: Native visionary spoke for all disadvantaged Americans
(Indian Country Today 12/1)
Indian Country Today Articles from January 10, 2005:
Wilma
Mankiller: An original thinker with a warrior's spirit
Suzan
Shown Harjo: Selective memories of Vine Deloria Jr.
Faith
Spotted Eagle: Deksi (Uncle) Vine
Charlie
Wilkins: Visionary thinker and wordsmith par excellence
Hank
Adams: A Vine Deloria Jr. collaboration: The first decade
John
Mohawk: Vine Deloria Jr.'s unfolding legacy
Philip
Deloria: Tales of a remarkable father
Norbert
Hill: A hero to many
Related Stories:
Vine Deloria Jr. remembered at Haskell forum
(12/1)
Opinion: Deloria was
passionate advocate (11/28)
Harjo: My
photo album of Vine Deloria Jr. (11/24)
Billy Frank: Keeping Vine Deloria's fire alive
(11/24)
Philip Deloria: Nasty pokes in
column about father (11/23)
Tim Giago:
Deloria gave Indian people a voice (11/22)
Mark Trahant: Few writers as powerful as Deloria
(11/21)
Deloria celebration scheduled in
Rapid City (11/18)
Opinion: Deloria was
always ahead of the curve (11/18)
Column: Deloria advanced some wacky views
(11/18)
Vine Deloria funeral set for
Friday in Colorado (11/17)
Tribal
leaders recall Deloria as powerful advocate (11/17)
Opinion: Deloria introduced us to Indian Country
(11/17)
Rick Williams: On the passing of
Vine Deloria Jr. (11/16)
Editorial:
Deloria changed how America views Indians (11/16)
Art Coulson: Safe journey for Vine Deloria Jr.
(11/16)
Appreciation: Deloria an
influential American (11/16)
Indian
Country: In memoriam Vine Deloria Jr. (11/16)
Editorial: Deloria contributed to all Americans
(11/16)
Vine DeLoria: Spoke for a nation
of Natives (11/15)
Deloria hailed as
'visionary' for role in Indian affairs (03/11)
Jodi Rave: Deloria unknown because he's Indian
(01/24)
Vine Deloria is ICT's American
Indian Visionary (01/10)
Column: Vine
Deloria refuses honorary degree (05/25)
David Wilkins: On the passing of Vine Deloria Jr.
Friday, December 2, 2005
Trending in News
1 Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'