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Prison Writings by Leonard Peltier
Prison Writings by Leonard Peltier
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Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance
by Leonard Peltier (Edited by Harvey Arden)
"A beautiful expression of a man’s soul, demanding release... an accusation against monstrous injustice." — Howard Zinn
⚖️ INDIGENOUS RIGHTS | PRISON LITERATURE | MEMOIR & MANIFESTO
A profound and unsettling chronicle of life within the U.S. federal prison system, contextualized within the broader history of American Indian resistance and the struggle for justice.
Extended Synopsis
Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance is both a memoir and a manifesto, written from within the walls of Leavenworth Prison by Leonard Peltier (Prisoner #89637-132). Convicted in 1977 for the murder of two FBI agents—a conviction many, including international human rights organizations, believe was a gross miscarriage of justice—Peltier has maintained his innocence for nearly half a century. In this volume, he moves beyond the public persona of a political metaphor to reveal the private man yearning for home.
Invoking the sacred Sun Dance, Peltier explores how suffering can lead to a transcendent reality, providing deep sociological and spiritual insights into his incarceration. He locates his personal experience within the collective history of the American Indian peoples and their ongoing struggle against federal government injustices. Edited by Harvey Arden, with a preface by former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and an introduction by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, this book remains a seminal work of contemporary indigenous literature.
Author Bio
Leonard Peltier is an Anishinabe-Lakota activist and a long-standing member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Since his sentencing in 1977, he has become a global symbol for the struggle for indigenous rights and judicial reform. His case has been the subject of numerous books and documentaries, including Peter Matthiessen's In the Spirit of Crazy Horse.
Reader Targeting & Academic Utility
- Human Rights Scholars: An essential primary text for analyzing the intersection of the U.S. legal system and indigenous political activism.
- Literature & Creative Writing: A classic example of prison literature, noted for its raw emotional honesty and spiritual depth.
- Sociology Students: Provides a first-hand account of the carceral experience and its impact on identity and cultural heritage.
Technical Specifications
| ISBN-13 | 9780312263805 |
| ISBN-10 | 0312263805 |
| Format | Paperback (Edition 1) |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
| Publication Date | June 16, 2000 |
| Subjects | Political Prisoners |
Accolades & Recognition
- Endorsed by Howard Zinn, Sherman Alexie, and Ramsey Clark.
- Unanimous DNC resolution (2022) urging clemency based on the issues highlighted in this work.
- "A harrowing yet hopeful testament to the endurance of the human spirit." — Bust Down Books Editorial Review
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