Hello, readers. My review of Theatre 13’s “Prison Writings: My Life is a Sun Dance” polarized readers. More accurately, the production is doing so. Not so much in content, the fact that it is being performed at all.
Leonard Peltier has been jailed for 31 years for the murder of two FBI agents, and while many believe he is innocent, others feel justice was served.
Theatre 13’s world premiere adaptation of Peltier’s book was in truth, more of a rally, or a “theatrical prayer,” if you will, than an objective look at the case. That put me, a career journalist, in an awkward position. My job was to evaluate a piece of art, not to determine a man’s guilt or innocence. Most of the people who are attending the play are certain Peltier is innocent, but I would be a fool to say I have any insight into the veracity of that. During the presentation, which was quite moving, I kept thinking back to those two dead men, their wives and children. I don’t know who killed them, but someone did.
It was odd sitting in the theater, very moved by the commitment and passion on display, yet also knowing it is very possible that all of these people are wrong.
(Note: to read our review. For information on performance times and dates, call 303-443-2122 or
to be taken to the theater’s home page).
The mail I have received since has come from both sides. Here’s a random sampling:
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Dear Mr. Moore,
For those of us who have lived our lives in South Dakota and have witnessed the struggles of our Native people, it is incomprehensible to us that a person such as Leonard Peltier could be able to be transformed into this mythical “warrior” of prose, theatre and film!! Unfortunately, every new voice sings the same old song rather than coming to grips with this man’s guilt.
I ask you to go to www.noparolepeltier.com to see and study the other side of this issue and perhaps you will find that the truth is far from what we all heard for so many years, and many are still hearing even today.
Please don’t mistake my comments as a judgment on your ability to evaluate one’s artistry. That is not my intention. My point is to comment on how this mythical character Peltier has become through his own orchestrations, empowered himself to write “My Life Is My Sundance” from which the play developed. I’m certain if one could prick this book with a pin, the hot air would fill the room in a matter of seconds and it would collapse on the floor like a ruptured balloon!!
Thank you for your time, and thank you for the good work that you do.
Dr. Dan Moran
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Mr. Moore.
Your review of “My Life Is My Sun Dance” is a fine piece of writing: brilliantly perceived, well balanced, and heartfelt. Congratulations! Would that we could get the President and the Supreme Court to sit through a performance. The play should be performed in Washington with some people tied to their chairs.
Fred R. Kline, President
Fred R. Kline Gallery & Kline Art Research Associates
Santa Fe, N.M.
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Hello Mr. Moore,
I just read your review of “My Life is My Sundance” and wish to thank you for writing it. I have been a supporter of Leonard’s for many years now and spend much time spreading the word about his illegal incarceration. Often my senators and congressman receive letters from me asking to look into his situation but have yet to receive even a “Go to (expletive)” from them. I was brought up as a Christian and Republican but my involvement with Leonard and the Indigenous people of this hemisphere has taught me that both groups are no longer for me. I simply cannot belong to that club and justify my existence as a human being. By the way, I’m a white guy.
Thank you for reading my message.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
David Murray
North Mankato, Minn. (home of the largest mass execution in U.S. history)
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Dear Mr. Moore,
The play, “My Life Is My Sundance” is based on Leonard Peltier’s autobiography by the same title. However, this Lakota would like to suggest caution, since it is NOT what it appears to be.
When Leonard Peltier titled his book, and now play, “My Life Is My Sundance”, it just didn’t seem right to me. As a Lakota, a member of the tribe he claims to have Sundance affiliation with, the title was in conflict with everything the Sundance represents.
In the “Declaration of War Against the Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality” , Lakota leaders speak out against those who “are selling books that promote the systematic colonization of our Lakota spirituality” and an “industry {that} continues to saturate the entertainment media with vulgar, sensationalist and grossly distorted representations of Lakota spirituality…which
reinforce the public’s negative stereotyping…and which gravely impair the self-esteem of our children.”
They admonish that “this exponential exploitation of our Lakota spiritual traditions requires we take immediate action to defend our most precious Lakota spirituality…”
I submit that “My Life Is My Sundance,” at first a book, now a play being presented locally, insults the Sundance ceremony of the Lakota. It stereotypically reduces the annual blood prayers and sacrifices of thousands of Sundance participants for health and
welfare of their loved ones, to words of one man and his “personal” struggle to escape his past. Leonard is at the center of this Sundance, not the Sacred Tree.
Sundance is a Sacred Ceremony of fasting, not drinking water and making prayer for four days. Sundance is governed by traditional laws and leaders, and is comprised of blood prayers danced by the Sundancers. Given this, how can Mr. Peltier even suggest his life is a Sundance?
If Leonard Peltier is going to INVOKE the Sundance, then he, and those who present the book and play, must reckon contradictions between what he represents therein and the Sundance Ceremony among the Lakota.
In Leonard s own words, “Nearly five imprisoned years later, I still await that recommendation. I pray hard it will come soon. I pray an eagle will fly off the flagstaff in the president’s Oval Office and at last deliver that long-delayed recommendation from the attorney general’s desk to the president’s desk. And while the President sits there considering this innocent Indian man’s appeal for clemency, I pray that that eagle will stand there on his desk, stare into his eyes, and join its cry to the cry of the millions of people around the world who have written to the president, appealing for my release. With all my heart I personally appeal to him for his consideration and for his compassion.”
This contradicts and conflicts with what Lakota people understand the essence of our Sundance ceremony to be — sacrifice and prayer for the good of others, NOT YOURSELF.
In the Sundance Circle and the prayers of the Sundancers, it is NOT common practice, nor is it acceptable, to complain. “My Life Is My Sundance” is one continuous complaint. All I ask, as a Lakota and fellow Sundancer, is that he “suffer” with dignity appropriate to the calling, rather than in boosting book and ticket sales.
I request humbly that you NOT support this insult to Lakota Spirituality and our Sacred Sundance by NOT buying the book or NOT attending the play, and instead help Mr. Peltier know the true virtue of the Sundance he’s invoked, which is hardship, strength and sacrifice.
Thank you.
Richard J. Two-Elk
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Mr. Moore,
Has anyone, including Leonard, stated what tribe that he is an “enrolled tribal member?”
Thank you….Charles Cambridge
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Hi John,
Just wanted to say thanks for the article on Leonard and to share my story with you as one who was also convicted of killing a cop at Attica in 1971 during the infamous rebellion and eventually freed. I am an actor today.
Peace
Splitting the Sky / John Boncore
Background: John Boncore is an activist, struggling for justice for the indigenous peoples of the Americas. His Mohawk name, Dacajeweiah, translated into English, is “Splitting the Sky.” He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., colonized as “John Boncore,” and also became known as “John Hill.” From age 7, Splitting the Sky survived many years in New York foster homes and youth detention centers which sought to brutalise him with numerous depredations. Eventually he would become the only man convicted as a ringleader of the infamous 1971 Attica State Prison rebellion in upstate New York, in the course of which 43 inmates were killed. This event has inspired several movies — “Against the Wall” (1994) starring Samuel L. Jackson, and “Attica” (1980) starring Morgan Freeman–and documentaries including “Attica” (1974), and “The Ghosts of Attica” (2001). He was listed by former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young of the Carter administration as the No. 1 political prisoner in the U.S. in 1975.
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Dear John,
All of us at Theatre 13 and Warrior Artists wanted to send our heartfelt gratitude, for your generosity of spirit in your review of “My Life Is My Sundance.”
Pilamiya, (Thank you)
Mitakyue Oyasin (We Are All Related),
Cathie Quigley-Soderman
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dear mr. moore:
i read your critique of the leonard peltier stuff. come on now. it’s time to wake up. what befalls one eventually befalls all. if we continue to allow the railroaded incarceration of peltier, when will it be your turn, or your children’s? come on now america, quit fooling around. it’s time to get serious and release the longest illegally held political prisoner on earth, leonard peltier. it’s time to release the red man from bondage.
as long as peltier is illegally held as a political prisonor, the entire earth continues to be held in indentured slavery, including you. release him now. i am from british columbia.
morris amos
