Leonard Peltier Released After Decades in Prison; Daughter marquetta Shields-Peltier reflects on Family’s Struggle and Father’s Resilience
BISMARCK,ND - Leonard Peltier,a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and a figure of international controversy,was released from federal prison in february after serving 49 years. His daughter,Marquetta Shields-Peltier,spoke publicly in September at the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota,detailing the profound impact of her father’s incarceration on thier family and celebrating his enduring spirit.
Peltier was convicted in 1977 for the deaths of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.Supporters have long maintained his innocence, alleging a politically motivated prosecution and flawed evidence. Throughout his imprisonment, a global movement advocating for his release gained momentum, fueled by petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and calls for clemency.
Shields-Peltier recounted the moment she learned of her father’s impending release, describing a state of disbelief and emotional paralysis. “I just-I froze. And I still can’t remember if I called my nephew or if I called my brother…but I called somebody, and I asked them, ‘Is it true? My dad’s getting out of prison?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah.'”
She emphasized the collective effort that contributed too her father’s freedom, expressing gratitude to the “millions of people…that helped pray for him, that helped write letters, that helped make phone calls, that sent signed petitions.” Shields-Peltier also underscored the far-reaching consequences of her father’s imprisonment, stating, “when my dad went to prison, so did we…we were out here struggling when he was in there struggling.” She credited her grandmother and mother with providing strength and reassurance during those difficult years.
For Shields-Peltier, her father represents more than just a parent; he is a symbol of Indigenous resistance and resilience. ”My dad, I told him this before. He’s my hero. he’s the definition of what a warrior should be, to be able to stand strong and still come out of that prison smiling, to be able to set an example.” she expressed immense pride in his ability to maintain a positive outlook despite decades of incarceration,stating,”I look up to my dad,as I don’t know very many people that could go through the stuff he’s been through and still have a smile on his face. And that’s my dad.”
Leonard Peltier is now living at the Turtle Mountain Reservation,reconnecting with family and community after nearly five decades behind bars.The case continues to spark debate about justice, Indigenous rights, and the legacy of historical conflicts between Native American tribes and the U.S. government.
