Leonard Peltier’s Release: The Shocking Truth Behind ‘Incident at Oglala’

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On January 19, 2025, ex-President Joe Biden granted clemency to Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist, effectively allowing him to spend the rest of his life at home instead of in prison. A key figure in the 1992 acclaimed documentary titled “Incident at Oglala,” Peltier was found guilty of killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota back in 1975. Since his arrest, he has maintained his innocence, and now he will serve out the rest of his life sentence under house arrest.

Robert Redford narrates the critically acclaimed documentary Incident at Oglala, which stands as one of the most significant American documentaries released in the past three decades. The film boasts a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, comparable to The Thin Blue Line as a somber portrayal of the U.S. justice system. With Peltier’s anticipated release on February 18, 2025, his tale warrants renewed focus and attention.

Who Is Leonard Peltier?

At the age of 80, Leonard Peltier became a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1972, driven by the desire to promote and bring attention to the fair treatment for Native Americans. His decision to join AIM was partially influenced by the strife he witnessed at South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The reservation was torn apart by a rift between its different factions. Some residents supported the elected leader, Richard Wilson, while others adhered strongly to the traditional customs of the Lakota tribe.

1975 saw Leonard Peltier join a group of AIM activists aiming to eradicate racial prejudice, political oppression, and the rampant violence that afflicted Pine Ridge. On June 26, 1975, a significant gunfight took place at Pine Ridge, leading to the tragic deaths of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, as well as Native American AIM member Joe Stuntz. Once the dust settled, three individuals were apprehended for the deadly shootings: Robert Robideau, Dino Butler, and Leonard Peltier. This incident served as the basis for “Incident at Oglala,” a documentary about social justice that remains pertinent today.

While Butler and Robideau were found not guilty in their trial for the murders they stood accused of, Peltier faced a separate trial following his extradition from Canada. Given his prior legal issues, Peltier had been a fugitive prior to visiting Pine Ridge, wanted for evading authorities after allegations surfaced that he had attempted to kill an off-duty Milwaukee police officer. Maintaining his innocence and providing various alibis, Peltier was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted List in December 1975 before being arrested for the murders of FBI agents Coler and Williams on February 6, 1976. Ultimately, Peltier was convicted of murder in April 1977 and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

‘Incident at Oglala’s Engaging Subject

Under the guidance of Michael Apted, Incident at Oglala delves deeply into events that unfolded at Pine Ridge on June 26, 1975. Robert Redford narrates the ensuing legal proceedings, shedding light on the turbulent violence that had long affected Pine Ridge prior to the tragic shootout. At Pine Ridge, a divide between older Lakota tribe members and more modernized Dakota natives led to numerous drive-by shootings. To quell such violence, AIM was invited to visit Pine Ridge to promote traditional ways of life.

The title “Incident at Oglala ” denotes an armed conflict that took place within Lakota territory, specifically in Pine Ridge, governed by tribal chairman Richard Wilson. It’s important to note that Oglala was also the location of the American Indian Movement’s (AIM) headquarters on Calvin Jumping Bull’s property. This confrontation was ignited when a teenage AIM member, Jimmy Eagle, allegedly stole a pair of boots, leading to an FBI investigation. During this investigation, agents Coler and Williams sought to question Eagle about the stolen boots. They pursued a vehicle they thought was entering the AIM settlement, which led to a violent shootout, during which both Coler, Williams, and AIM member Joe Stuntz were fatally wounded.

The documentary titled “Incident at Oglala,” boasting a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, chronicles the court case that Leonard Peltier endured after the tragic gunfight at Pine Ridge. Narrated by Robert Redford since 1980, who has consistently supported Peltier’s innocence claims, this film aimed to clear Peltier’s name, demonstrating that he was wrongly accused and persecuted due to his native heritage.

However, despite the documentary raising significant awareness about Peltier’s unjust imprisonment, his parole request was denied in 1993.

Peltier’s Journey to Clemency & Commutation

After being refused parole in 1993, Peltier served 31 years behind bars. In the year 1999, he penned a memoir titled “Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance“, where he acknowledged his presence during the gunfight at Pine Ridge, but claimed he didn’t kill FBI agents Coler and Williams. Proof suggesting his culpability included having Coler’s firearm, which along with a thumbprint, was found in an RV that Peltier managed to escape from the police on foot.

As a passionate movie-goer, I’ve always been captivated by the intriguing stories that unfold on the silver screen. However, the case of Leonard Peltier is a real-life drama that has spanned decades and left many questions unanswered. Despite conflicting evidence during his trial and a daring prison escape in 1979, proving his innocence was no walk in the park. Yet, more than two decades after he penned his memoir and close to half a century since his arrest, something remarkable happened: The 46th U.S. President, Joe Biden, officially commuted Peltier’s prison sentence. This commutation grants him the opportunity to serve out the rest of his consecutive life sentences from home, under house arrest. It feels like the climax of a long-running film, where justice, finally, seems to have prevailed, even if just a little.

After being turned down for parole once more in July 2024, President Biden granted clemency to Peltier by commuting his prison sentence on his last day in office. Over the years, Peltier has made multiple legal attempts to clear his name, including when President Bill Clinton was considering granting him a pardon. Now, it is expected that he will return to his Turtle Mountain Band tribe and live in a home situated within their North Dakota reservation.

For viewers who appreciate documentaries that significantly impact everyday life, Incident at Oglala aligns with Errol Morris’ The Thin Blue Line as a potent film capable of shifting public opinions and leading to genuine justice.

Incident at Oglala is available to rent on AppleTV & Amazon Prime Video

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2025-01-24 07:02