Nowa Cumig

Dennis J. Banks, the militant Chippewa who founded the American Indian Movement in 1968 and led often-violent insurrections to protest the treatment of Native Americans and the nation’s history of injustices against its indigenous peoples, died on Sunday night at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He was 80.

He was a hero to my wife, Denise Long. She went to his trial in Lincoln, NE in the mid 1970's.

This appeared on his Facebook page:

"Our father Dennis J. Banks started his journey to the spirit world at 10:10 pm on October 29, 2017.

As he took his last breaths, Minoh sang him four songs for his journey. All the family who were present prayed over him and said our individual goodbyes. Then we proudly sang him the AIM song as his final send off.

Our father will be laid to rest in his home community of Leech Lake, MN. Presiding over traditional services will be Terry Nelson. We welcome all who would like to pay respects. As soon as arrangements are finalized, we will post details.

Still Humbly Yours,

The children and grandchildren of Nowacumig
Tashina Minoh Banks Arrow Banks DeeDee Banks Tokala Win Banks Glenda Roberts Darla Banks Tatanka Banks"

"Dennis Banks (April 12, 1937 – October 29, 2017) was a Native American leader, teacher, lecturer, activist and author, was an Anishinaabe born on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Banks was also known as Nowa Cumig (Naawakamig in the Double Vowel System). His name in the Ojibwe language means "In the Center of the Universe." He was a longtime leader of the American Indian Movement, which he co-founded in 1968 with Native Americans in Minneapolis." ~ Wikipdia