Maybe next year, Peltier supporter says

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Wednesday, Feb. 6 marked the ninth year the Anishnawbe Health Center (AHC) has held a prayer vigil to honor activist Leonard Peltier, who has served 26 years of two life sentences in prison. He was convicted, many believe wrongly, of killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge reservation, South Dakota on June 26, 1975.

"February 6 is a sacred day for us when Leonard was arrested at Smallboy's camp in Hinton, Alberta in l976 and was falsely extradited to the U.S. where he never received a fair trial," explained Frank Dreaver, national spokesperson for the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC) of Canada.

"This vigil is a commitment that we make every year when we come and offer our prayers...in honor of Leonard's sacrifice," said Dreaver's wife Anne. "It's an affirmation of our struggle."

Oneida Elder, Howard Elijah, opened the vigil with two helpers from the Natural Way Learning Centre on the Oneida settlement near London. About 50 community members listened to speakers who outlined a plan of action, involving documenting FBI wrong doing, calling for an independent inquiry into Peltier's extradition, and acquiring access to classified documents that are currently being withheld.

"We, as a nation council, support the work of Frank and Anne Dreaver," Elijah said. "For many people in attendance, today's event is new."

Wanda Whitebird, AHC traditional counsellor, said people must stand together with Frank and Anne in their work because "Leonard is a symbol of an unjust justice system that does not work for Native people. Until Leonard is free, we, as a people, will not be free."

Anne Dreaver explained the significance of the vigil.

"It began in l993 when Bob Robideau, Leonard Peltier's cousin, who was also indicted along with Peltier and Dino Butler, came up to Canada. Every year we do this and come back here. The women sing here. We pay tribute and we talk about what's happened for another year."

A banner 10 feet by 4 feet long was covered with signatures, pictures and personalized letters from all the participants of the day's activities. A photo of it will be sent to Peltier in prison.

"The Anishnawbe Health Centre and the Oneida people have helped us. We hope the struggle ends soon. And next year, we hope that Leonard will be here also," said Frank Dreaver.