Leonard Peltier

Little Steven's song "Leonard Peltier" is a powerful and poignant protest anthem that sheds light on the plight of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist who has been imprisoned since 1977. The song delves into the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans, using Peltier's story as a focal point. The lyrics highlight the systemic racism and corruption that have plagued the justice system, particularly in cases involving Indigenous people. Peltier's imprisonment is portrayed as a symbol of the broader struggle for Native American rights and recognition.

The song begins by setting the scene of Peltier's unjust imprisonment, emphasizing that his "crime was tradition spoken with pride." This line underscores the idea that Peltier's activism and cultural pride were criminalized by a system that sought to suppress Native American voices. The lyrics also point out that the evidence used to convict Peltier was "deliberately falsified," suggesting a deliberate effort to silence him and others like him. The song calls for Peltier to be allowed to speak and pray freely, highlighting the fundamental human rights that have been denied to him.

Little Steven also references the broader context of Native American struggles, mentioning the Pine Ridge Reservation incident in June 1975, where two FBI agents were killed. The song suggests that the agents were "pawns in the big game" for control over stolen minerals and land, pointing to the economic motivations behind the oppression of Native peoples. The lyrics list the names of other Native Americans who have suffered similar fates, creating a powerful litany of injustice that demands attention and action. By asking where the justice for Leonard Peltier is, the song calls on listeners to question and challenge the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Native American communities.