Post by mdenney on Feb 2, 2009 20:22:08 GMT -5
Fans and friends mourned the death Friday of Floyd Red Crow Westerman, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota who became a celebrated singer, actor and Native American activist.
Westerman, 71, died Friday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after a long illness.
Westerman, who began his career as a country singer, appeared in more than 50 films and television productions, including "Dances with Wolves," "Hidalgo," "The Doors," "Poltergeist," and "Northern Exposure." He appeared in 12 episodes of the TV series, "Walker, Texas Ranger," as Uncle Ray Firewalker.
As a young man, Westerman was educated at the Wapheton and Flandreau boarding schools, where he became a close companion and lifelong friend of Dennis Banks.
He left his home near Sisseton, S.D., with a suitcase and an old guitar in hand. He rambled across the country playing country music and original tunes in bars and clubs, living for some time in Denver.
In 1969, his first album "Custer Died for Your Sins," became the background theme of the emerging Red Power Movement.
As a member of American Indian Movement, and a spokesman for the International Indian Treaty Council, Westerman traveled the world extensively working for the betterment of native people.
His vision of improved social conditions for indigenous people around the globe is reflected in the music of his second album, "The Land is Your Mother."
In 2006, he won a NAMMY Award for his third album, "A Tribute to Johnny Cash." During his career, he played and collaborated with musicians, including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jackson Browne, Harry Belafonte and Sting.
Westerman earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State University in South Dakota.
Westerman also worked throughout his life to empower Native American youth.
"They are our future," he said in November.
Mark Tilsen, a Kyle businessman and a longtime concert promoter, first met Westerman at a concert he produced at the old Rapid City High School in the early 1970s and worked with him at many other concerts across the country.
"He's the closest thing that the Indian community ever had to a Woody Guthrie," Tilsen said. "He managed to do those songs that talked painful, truthful things but without putting anybody on edge. He was really a great songwriter."
Even after Westerman moved to Hollywood, he kept in touch with his friends in South Dakota and was always available to support community efforts here.
Tilsen said he saw Westerman in September. Despite his illness, Westerman was working at a booth to raise money for a Native American nonprofit organization.
"He said, 'I'm going to work 'til the day I'm gone,'" Tilsen recalled. "There are very few people like that and even fewer performers," Tilsen said.
Scott Means of Rapid City said he met Westerman as a child in the 1970s through his parents, Russell Means and Betty Sinquah Thunder Hawk.
"He was an uncle to me. He was always very supportive to me, going out of his way to encourage me," Scott Means said Friday.
"He was like our folk singer for Indian rights back in the '70s. He was kind of like our John Lennon. All his songs were so meaningful."
Poxie Lone Hill of Rapid City met Westerman when they both were attending Flandreau Indian School in the 1950s. They later worked on movies and documentaries together, including "Dances With Wolves," "Thunder Heart," "Lakota Woman" and "Crazy Horse."
Lone Hill remembered that Westerman had a professional singing voice even at Flandreau Indian School.
"He sang 'White Sport Coat' and sounded just like Marty Robbins," she said.
Lone Hill said Westerman was generous and would open his California house to visiting friends. "He just had a big heart. He was a great friend. I think he'll be sadly missed by a lot of people," she said.
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/12/14/news/top/doc4762c8cb27765108318411.txt
