Edward Ralph McGlynn: Remembering Leonard Peltier

To follow up on Carrie N. Baker’s Nov. 30 column, “Long overdue apology for Indian boarding schools a first step,” I would like to share the story of a person who survived the abuse of the federal Indian boarding system. Leonard Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, spent five years at the Wahpeton Indian School in North Dakota. You can read his telling of these years (1952-1955) at the Native News Online (June 1, 2022).

Mr. Peltier turned 80 years of age on Sept. 12. He has been incarcerated in federal prison since 1977. He was denied parole this past July. It would appear his insistence that he is innocent is getting in the way of his parole request. The knowledge and resources supporting his innocence has been available for decades. More recently, I found the panel discussion of Sheron Wyant-Leonard, Dorothy Ninham and Kevin Sharp on C-SPAN/American History TV from Nov. 14, 2022 worthwhile.

I am 65 years old. Leonard Peltier has been in prison my entire adult life. I have known of his plight for the past 40 years. His childhood and his freedom may have been stolen from him, but his life has not been wasted. He continues to inspire me and I give thanks for what he has done and is doing for his country.

So, going by the timetable in Ms. Baker’s column, he might get an apology in 50-75 years. In the meantime, I will write another request for his release to the president of the United States on Dec. 25. I recall that on this day someone else who was persecuted is celebrated as well.

Edward Ralph McGlynn

Amherst