Ojibwa Warrior

Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement

By: Dennis Banks, Richard Erdoes

Narrated by: Douglas Rye

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dennis Banks, an American Indian of the Ojibwa Tribe and a founder of the American Indian Movement, is one of the most influential Indian leaders of our time. In Ojibwa Warrior, written with acclaimed writer and photographer Richard Erdoes, Banks tells his own story for the first time and also traces the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM). The authors present an insider's understanding of AIM protest events - the Trail of Broken Treaties march to Washington, D.C.; the resulting takeover of the BIA building; the riot at Custer, South Dakota; and the 1973 standoff at Wounded Knee.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press.

©2004 Dennis Banks and Richard Erdoes (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"A compelling account of one of the most influential Indian leaders in the United States... this volume (is) an important addition to this history of Native American and civil rights movements in the United States. ( Publishers Weekly)

"For readers who can recall the spotty media coverage of these events, this powerful litany of AIM's accomplishments is especially provocative." ( Booklist)

By the numbers bio

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This is a straightforward autobiography of Dennis Banks, one of the founders of the American Indian Movement (AIM). I was intrigued both by the title and the subject matter but knew little about Banks or AIM. Ojibwa Warrior does a good job of educating the listener about Banks, from his childhood through the 1970’s culminating in the militant standoff at Wounded Knee (and a bit beyond). It reads in a straightforward connect-the- dots sort of way, highlighting Banks’ personal and professional tribulations while never taking its eye off of the broader context of Indian/First Nations struggle for equal rights and autonomy. Some of the confrontations with the government, Banks’ at times semi-outlaw existence, as well as his experiences as a child (and forced removal from his family and culture) are rendered in great detail. Another plus are the many fascinating details Banks offers about Indian/First Nations culture. The competent narration is subdued and smartly lets events speak for themselves. Despite all this, I nevertheless found the narrative a bit too mechanical in a “first this happened and then this happened and then this happened” sort of way. I wouldn’t call it dry but it lacked a certain intimacy that would connect the listener emotionally with Banks and his struggles/aims. In this way, Ojibwa Warrior is educational but not inspirational which is a shame given Banks’ life/work

A friend

It was a good book. As I knew Dennis, I had heard him talk of some of these stories before. a warrior he was !! we need to honor his memory by protecting our mother, and stop polluting her. The truth may be shocking,... to fix what is wrong we need to know how it happened in the past.

An Interesting Look at An Interesting Time

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I definitely would recommend this book. This is an interesting look into the Indian Movement I had very little idea about (I am Native, and from Canada, interested to know if the natives here faced the same difficulties). Some of the actions taken were something I would never even imagine taking, but i also imagine they were fighting for the freedoms and liberties I have today. I LOVED this book.

What did you like best about this story?

An inside look into what was happening not only the Indian Movement, but some stories on why this was so important.

Was Ojibwa Warrior worth the listening time?

Anyone interested in Native history, this recent history is worth your time.

Amazing

Loved it all, including the narration. Required information for Anglo people deciding to embark on the Red Road. Much respect to Dennis, Leonard, Russel, and all those who risked their lives to make their voices heard. Free Peltier.

A compelling and relevant read

The Narrator is perfect for this book. A story from old times that is still relevant in 2020.

I've heard stories from family about AIM & Dennis

Loved it. I've heard stories about AIM & Dennis from family for awhile growing up.

so significant at this time.

I held back tears as I learned so much. Sad that the same struggle is being fought as I write this decades later in 2016.