Speakers Bureau Information

Everything you need to know

about sponsoring an LPDC speaker

Help educate your community about the case of Leonard Peltier by sponsoring an LPDC speaker. Each of our speakers is well versed in the case and most have a close connection to its history. Our speakers bureau consists of survivors and witnesses of the Pine Ridge "Reign of Terror," as well as professors, lawyers, and Indigenous Rights activists. Many knew Leonard Peltier as a free man. Each of our speakers has special knowledge and experiences to share with their audiences and can give a unique talk on the case. All speakers belong to the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and are familiar with efforts underway to gain Leonard Peltier's release.

LISTING OF LPDC SPOKEPEOPLE

• Alphabetical

• By location

PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR SPONSORING AN LPDC SPEAKER

Sponsors are responsible for costs involved in bringing a speaker to their area. This usually consists of travel (a plane ticket and local transportation), an overnight stay in a motel or hotel, and meals. If a college is sponsoring the speaker, an honorarium of $500 - $1000 is suggested. If it is a community event, no honorarium is expected, although "passing the hat" or suggesting a donation at the door to support Leonard Peltier's ongoing defense is always encouraged. If it is a solidarity event, no honorarium is expected.

Sponsors are also responsible for picking the speaker up and dropping the speaker off at the airport, as well as getting the speaker to and from the event. Although the sponsor is solely responsible for the facilitation and publicity of an event, the LPDC is happy to help by posting the event on our list serve and by providing the names of supporters in the area who may want to help. We also request that the sponsor have a table for literature at the event, as well as a volunteer to staff the table.

SOME SUGGESTIONS:

• Give as much advance notice possible; our speakers are volunteers and they juggle hectic schedules.

• Consider sharing costs with other groups by co-sponsoring a speaker

• Publicize your event well; notify the local human rights and activist community, post lots of flyers, ask local radio stations to make regular announcements, and list event in local papers.

If you are interested in sponsoring a speaker, please print out the form below, fill it out and return it to us by e-mail, fax, or mail:

LPDC SPEAKERS BUREAU - SPONSOR PROPOSAL

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring an LPDC speaker. This form will expedite the process of confirming the speaker of your choice and it will aid in the facilitation of logistics. [Printable Form Here]

1. Name of individual or group wishing to sponsor an LPDC speaker:

2. Date(s) you plan to hold event(s):

3. Location of event(s):

4. Which speaker would you like to invite?

5. If that speaker is not available, who are your second and third choices?

6. How many people are expected to attend?

7. Is an honorarium available, and if so what amount?

8. Please list the name and phone # of the motel or hotel where the speaker will stay:

9. Please list the name and phone number (including cell, if available) of the person who will be picking the speaker up at the airport:

10. What is the goal/emphasis of your event?

RETURN TO:
LPDC
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
F. 785-842-5796 P. 785-842-5774785-842-5774

[email protected]

LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE

SPEAKERS BUREAU LISTING

(alphabetical)

Stephanie Autumn, Hopi, is a veteran of the 1973 Wounded Knee occupation and a long time American Indian Movement activist and community organizer. She has worked for the past 15 years developing culturally specific pre and post release programs for American Indian adult and juvenile offenders. She is currently employed by the Council on Crime and Justice and she is a consultant for the Legal Rights Center - Restorative Justice Campaign. Her past advocacy for Leonard Peltier includes national and international work. Stephanie presented interventions at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Geneva Switzerland and she traveled throughout Europe, Japan, Russia and Africa on Public education campaigns. Minneapolis, MN

Bobby Castillo, a member of the Mexica and Apache Nations, is the international spokesperson for the LPDC. Bobby grew up in Fresno, California and spent most of his young years in and out of juvenile institutions and prisons. It was in prison that Bobby met Leonard Peltier, who had a tremendous impact upon him. Leonard influenced Bobby to live a clean and sober life, learn about his Native heritage, and advocate for his people. Bobby has been active in the movement to gain Leonard Peltier's freedom ever since he himself was released in 1981. As an international spokesperson, Bobby makes regular interventions at the United Nations in Geneva and meets with foreign diplomats to rally international pressure for Leonard Peltier's release. Thanks to the persistency of the International team, international support for Leonard Peltier is phenomenal, including support from the European Parliament, the Belgian Parliament, the Italian Parliament, and several Nobel Laureates.

Fedelia Cross is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation who grew up in Oglala during the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror, during which time she and her family met and befriended Leonard Peltier. It was on her grandparents' land that the 1975 shoot-out occurred. Fedelia is a mother, grandmother, and an elementary school teacher. She helps to coordinate support for Leonard Peltier on Pine Ridge. Oglala, Pine Ridge

Jean Day is a member of the Ho Chunk Nation who lived in "tent city" on the Jumping Bull Ranch in 1975. She, like Leonard Peltier, answered the call for assistance from Oglala elders and went to Pine Ridge to support the people. Most recently, Jean helped coordinate the Countdown to Clemency Campaign for Leonard Peltier, speaking across the country and abroad, lobbying Congress, and co-coordinating events. She sponsored the year 2000 Oglala gathering which marked 25 years since the shoot-out and called for reconciliation and healing. Jean is a legal advocate for Native children in Wisconsin, as well as an advocate for Native prisoners rights. Stevens Point, WI

Bruce Ellison was a member of the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee and has been representing Leonard since trial. Not only did he witness specific incidences during the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror, he has researched, studied and documented the FBI's involvement on Pine Ridge and the FBI's activities against AIM. Perhaps more than any other, Bruce Ellison is familiar with the legal history of the Peltier case, as well as cases of other AIM members unduly prosecuted during that era. Rapid City, SD

Linda Sixfeathers is a member of the Blackfoot/Lakota Nation and a long time Peltier supporter. She coordinates the network of Leonard Peltier Support Groups and has facilitated her own support group for three years. She also helped spearhead the Leonard Peltier toy drive and winter drive for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and regularly sends supplies to the people of Chiapas on Leonard Peltier's name. She also coordinates fund raising events to support the efforts of the LPDC. Linda is a dynamic organizer and motivator. She is a Northern Traditional Dancer and Jingle Dancer. Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, a member of the Sahnish and Hidatsa First Nations, is a Professor of Social Work at Arizona State University. He has an MSW from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and a Ph.D., in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Yellow Bird is noted for his extensive research, writings and talks on the effects of colonization upon Indigenous Peoples, and for his life's work and advocacy toward decolonization. Dr. Yellow Bird has spoken at many LPDC events and sat on the LPDC's advisory board since 1997. Tempe, AZ

Debra White Plume, who survived the Pine Ridge reign of terror, belongs to the Oglala Lakota Nation. Debra and her family were targeted by GOON's in a drive-by shooting in which she, her baby, and others in her family were seriously wounded. Those responsible were never brought to justice. Today, Debra continues to advocate for Indigenous Rights and sovereignty, and coordinates "Bring Back the Way" which is a program supporting decolonization and cultural revitalization on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. (Not available for speaking engagements for the month of August). Manderson, Pine Ridge

Adam Villagomez is an Indigenous Rights activist and a youth coordinator for the LPDC. Adam is Leonard Peltier's cousin, and has advocated for Leonard Peltier's release for many years. Adam is a member of the Red Nation Brotherhood Singers, and he has been active in efforts to revitalize Native culture in urban areas such as San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, California. Adam sees Leonard Peltier as a role model for himself and for other Native youth. Lost Angeles, CA

Paul Berg was a school teacher on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1971 to 1976 who lived through the "Reign of Terror." During the siege of Wounded Knee he was reassigned from his teaching position in the Bureau of Indian Affairs school at Porcupine to work with the Federal Marshals and FBI. Mr. Berg, who had served with Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam War, was in a position to observe and document the operations of Federal agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation during and after the siege of the village. For the past 24 years, Berg has lived in Alaska where he has taught multicultural education courses for the University of Alaska and served as a teacher in a variety of locations. Berg is currently Head master of Thunder Mountain Academy, a private middle school in Juneau, Alaska.

LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE

SPEAKERS BUREAU LISTING

(by location)

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stephanie Autumn, Hopi, is a veteran of the 1973 Wounded Knee occupation and a long time American Indian Movement activist and community organizer. She has worked for the past 15 years developing culturally specific pre and post release programs for American Indian adult and juvenile offenders. She is currently employed by the Council on Crime and Justice and she is a consultant for the Legal Rights Center - Restorative Justice Campaign. Her past advocacy for Leonard Peltier includes national and international work. Stephanie presented interventions at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Geneva Switzerland and she traveled throughout Europe, Japan, Russia and Africa on Public education campaigns. Minneapolis, MN

Juneau, Alaska

Paul Berg was a school teacher on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1971 to 1976 who lived through the "Reign of Terror." During the siege of Wounded Knee he was reassigned from his teaching position in the Bureau of Indian Affairs school at Porcupine to work with the Federal Marshals and FBI. Mr. Berg, who had served with Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam War, was in a position to observe and document the operations of Federal agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation during and after the siege of the village. For the past 24 years, Berg has lived in Alaska where he has taught multicultural education courses for the University of Alaska and served as a teacher in a variety of locations. Berg is currently Head master of Thunder Mountain Academy, a private middle school in Juneau, Alaska.

Oglala, Pine Ridge

Fedelia Cross is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation who grew up in Oglala during the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror, during which time she and her family met and befriended Leonard Peltier. It was on her grandparents' land that the 1975 shoot-out occurred. Fedelia is a mother, grandmother, and an elementary school teacher. She helps to coordinate support for Leonard Peltier on Pine Ridge. Oglala, Pine Ridge

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Jean Day is a member of the Ho Chunk Nation who lived in "tent city" on the Jumping Bull Ranch in 1975. She, like Leonard Peltier, answered the call for assistance from Oglala elders and went to Pine Ridge to support the people. Most recently, Jean helped coordinate the Countdown to Clemency Campaign for Leonard Peltier, speaking across the country and abroad, lobbying Congress, and co-coordinating events. She sponsored the year 2000 Oglala gathering which marked 25 years since the shoot-out and called for reconciliation and healing. Jean is a legal advocate for Native children in Wisconsin, as well as an advocate for Native prisoners rights. Stevens Point, WI

Rapid City, South Dakota

Bruce Ellison was a member of the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee and has been representing Leonard since trial. Not only did he witness specific incidences during the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror, he has researched, studied and documented the FBI's involvement on Pine Ridge and the FBI's activities against AIM. Perhaps more than any other, Bruce Ellison is familiar with the legal history of the Peltier case, as well as cases of other AIM members unduly prosecuted during that era. Rapid City, SD

Los Angeles, California

Linda Sixfeathers is a member of the Blackfoot/Lakota Nation and a long time Peltier supporter. She coordinates the network of Leonard Peltier Support Groups and has facilitated her own support group for three years. She also helped spearhead the Leonard Peltier toy drive and winter drive for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and regularly sends supplies to the people of Chiapas on Leonard Peltier's name. She also coordinates fund raising events to support the efforts of the LPDC. Linda is a dynamic organizer and motivator. She is a Northern Traditional Dancer and Jingle Dancer. Los Angeles, CA

Tempe, Arizona

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, a member of the Sahnish and Hidatsa First Nations, is a Professor of Social Work at Arizona State University. He has an MSW from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and a Ph.D., in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Yellow Bird is noted for his extensive research, writings and talks on the effects of colonization upon Indigenous Peoples, and for his life's work and advocacy toward decolonization. Dr. Yellow Bird has spoken at many LPDC events and sat on the LPDC's advisory board since 1997. Tempe, AZ

Manderson, Pine Ridge

Debra White Plume, who survived the Pine Ridge reign of terror, belongs to the Oglala Lakota Nation. Debra and her family were targeted by GOON's in a drive-by shooting in which she, her baby, and others in her family were seriously wounded. Those responsible were never brought to justice. Today, Debra continues to advocate for Indigenous Rights and sovereignty, and coordinates "Bring Back the Way" which is a program supporting decolonization and cultural revitalization on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. (Not available for speaking engagements for the month of August). Manderson, Pine Ridge

Los Angeles, California

Adam Villagomez is an Indigenous Rights activist and a youth coordinator for the LPDC. Adam is Leonard Peltier's cousin, and has advocated for Leonard Peltier's release for many years. Adam is a member of the Red Nation Brotherhood Singers, and he has been active in efforts to revitalize Native culture in urban areas such as San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, California. Adam sees Leonard Peltier as a role model for himself and for other Native youth. Los Angeles, CA

Europe

Bobby Castillo, a member of the Mexica and Apache Nations, is the international spokesperson for the LPDC. Bobby grew up in Fresno, California and spent most of his young years in and out of juvenile institutions and prisons. It was in prison that Bobby met Leonard Peltier, who had a tremendous impact upon him. Leonard influenced Bobby to live a clean and sober life, learn about his Native heritage, and advocate for his people. Bobby has been active in the movement to gain Leonard Peltier's freedom ever since he himself was released in 1981. As an international spokesperson, Bobby makes regular interventions at the United Nations in Geneva and meets with foreign diplomats to rally international pressure for Leonard Peltier's release. Thanks to the persistency of the International team, international support for Leonard Peltier is phenomenal, including support from the European Parliament, the Belgian Parliament, the Italian Parliament, and several Nobel Laureates.