Dennis Banks

Date of Birth: April 12, 1937

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 29, 2017

Biography

Dennis Banks, born on April 12, 1937, in Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota, was a prominent Native American leader, educator, and activist. He was a co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM), which was established in 1968 to address issues related to sovereignty, leadership, and treaties. Banks played a pivotal role in several key events in the Native American civil rights movement, including the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 and the Wounded Knee incident in 1973. Throughout his life, Banks worked tirelessly to promote Native American culture, rights, and education. He was also an advocate for environmental issues, particularly those impacting indigenous lands. Banks passed away on October 29, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of activism and advocacy for Native American rights.

5 Interesting Facts about Dennis Banks

1. Dennis Banks was an accomplished author, publishing his autobiography, “Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement,” in 2004.

2. He served in the United States Air Force before becoming a prominent activist.

3. Banks was instrumental in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, a 71-day standoff between federal authorities and AIM members.

4. He was a staunch advocate for education and opened several schools focused on Native American culture and language.

5. In addition to his activism, Banks was involved in the film industry and appeared in several movies, including “Thunderheart” and “The Last of the Mohicans.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dennis Banks

1. “The American Indian is still on the outside looking in, but it’s time we started walking in the front door.”

2. “We must stand together and reclaim our rights as the first inhabitants of this land.”

3. “Our culture is our identity; without it, we are lost.”

4. “We must teach our children the true history of our people, not the sanitized version taught in schools.”

5. “The Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dennis Banks’ highest net worth achieved was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Dennis Banks had several children, including Darla Banks, Tatanka Banks, and Tashina Banks, among others. He was known to be a loving father who instilled the values of activism and cultural pride in his children.