Ojibwa Warrior: A Memoir by Dennis Banks
The book, Ojibwa warrior is a Dennis Banks book that highlights the awakening of an American movement in America. Dennis Banks with the help of Richard Erdoes uses the Indian community in America. This is achieved through the Ojibwa tribe that existed in the northern part of North America during the 17th century. However, Ojibwa warrior: Dennis Banks and the rise of the American Indian movement is Bank’s own personal narration of how the American Indian Movement came into existence. Dennis himself born in the year 1937 is the founder of American Indian Movement. The agenda of the movement was to liberate the Ojibwa Indian community from their oppressors. The Ojibwa were known of their traditions and conservative culture that did not appeal to the rest of the American community, in this case, the Ojibwa’s ever took their children to formal school, they were perceived to be uncivilized. The Ojibwa rights as an Indian community have been greatly disregarded by the authorities, the young men have been forced to undergo training in schools and then taken to war. The American Indian Movement, is born from this transgressions subjected to the Ojibwa. Dennis Banks vows to be an Ojibwa warrior on behalf of his tribe and the above book is his own memoir about his efforts to liberate his community. In his book, Banks narrates much about his education, life, formation of the American Indian Movement and the reason for forming the movement.
While Dennis Banks was five years old, like his age mates he was taken to an American formal training school in Pipestone and another one in Wahpeton. While there, Banks was observant enough to notice how cruel, they were treated. He noticed how they were prevented from speaking their native language; Chippewa. All what they were allowed to speak by their teachers was English (Banks & Erdoes 28). It is disheartening that Banks and his colleagues from the Ojibwa tribe were separated from their families for eleven years. To Banks this dominance of the government over his people is also felt when he marries a Japanese woman. This happens after Banks is assigned a military duty in Japan after joining the military. He gets acquitted to a Japanese lady whom he marries, only for the military to intervene and disapprove the marriage. Although Banks had already bore a child with the Japanese woman, the military court marshaled Bank back to the United States. It is in the United States that Banks was able to form the American Indian movement while in prison. Banks had been imprisoned for stealing; his family and tribe were hopeless, alienated from the America mainstream race and could only bank on hope; American Indian Movement was to resuscitate hope for his people (Banks & Erdoes 58). In prison, Banks learns anti-Vietnam war movements, basic human rights that should be rightfully accorded to the Indians. With help from two other colleagues; Clyde and George, they were able to form American Indian Movement. Banks says that the reason to call their movement, American Indian Movement is that, their quest has been driven by an aim (Banks & Erdoes, pp 63). A lot of human rights campaigns also take place in America while Banks was in prison. Such include, black community human rights protest and anti-Vietnam war campaigns etc. Banks aim to change the course of the Indian community is fuelled from the onset of black community movements in Alabama (Banks& Erdoes, pp62). On July 28th 1968 American Indian Movement held its first meeting in a church with an overwhelming attendance of 200 people. After deliberating on a spiritual leader of the movement; Leonard Crow Dog, Banks asks the people to be confrontational but desist from acts of violence. Ojibwa warrior is such an interesting kind of warrior who do not fight with a neither gun nor a machete, but uses a pipe of piece; the Canupa. Not only does Banks exhibit unique character of a warrior but also displays an element of humanity and not in vanity of common interest bestowed by the purpose of the American Indian Movement. He says “with guns…our movement would come to nothing” (Banks& Erdoes 105). This is indeed helpful as not only do Banks oversee the occupation of both Mount Rushmore and Alcatraz Island, but also sees the entire United States acknowledge the American India Movements efforts. An example of these acknowledgements is when Banks ensures the white race in America respects the Indians. A certain Indian had been roughed up by two white to death without any reason. Banks through one of the American Indian Movement conferences ensure that justice is done for the deceased by ensuring the two white people go to jail. This incidence was one of the greatest achievements of the movement that had ever done for its people; otherwise the guilty would have gone scot free without serving a day in the jail (Banks & Erdoes 118). Another greater achievement was when they journeyed to Washington D.C, in what was famously known as the trail of broken promises. In this journey, the American natives on the north, that is, the Indians were cheated by the government on various occasions and on legally binding treaties. The American Indian Movement agenda sometimes could cause violence at some point. For example, in a place called Wounded Knee people were fired at by the FBIs and even beaten up. Banks says” the feds had heavy weaponry that could kill very Indian” (Banks& Erdoes, pp166). The tribulations, and victories that American Indian Movement had already attained after the incidence of the wounded knee, the movement deliberated on a new nation for the Indians and like minded people who recognized their rights; Independent Oglala Nation. This did not go down well with the government and more terror and violence was experienced at the Wounded Knee. This led to Banks and other leaders of the movement to flee to Canada, only to return for trial that they won against the government. The achievements that Banks and his American Indian Movement is unmatched by any tribal elder or warrior, his achievements are truly of a warrior; an Ojibwa warrior. To edify his works, life and commitment to the Ojibwa community he says” my thoughts are of a warrior… and of warriors who died and I cannot eulogize for I will be strengthened by their life memories” (Banks& Erdoes 353).
In conclusion, Banks is a real Ojibwa warrior, his commitments to his people is unrivaled by many, his life in prison and in the military is a clear indication of what hardens a warrior. Dennis Banks masterly art in learning new ideas is indeed in every aspect of a warrior skills, by studying the ongoing human rights campaigns and anti-Vietnam war campaigns are a great deal of experience. Also to convince the whole tribe for a hope of attaining their rights from the government was goal all futile until he started his first campaign trail, from Mount Rushmore, to Washington and at the Wounded Knee. This a classical example of people liberation movements from their oppressors led by a good leader, a visionary leader and a leader who do not back down from the ongoing challenges’ that will never cease.
In the analysis of the book, Ojibwa warrior which is a memoir of Dennis Banks, the Ojibwa is a native Indian tribe that saw the invasion of their historical land and social life as a great oppression against them the native are contented with their traditions and cultures. This book offers a great historical perspective of the American natives and how they never accepted to be treated unrightfully by the government based on their race. However, the contemporary natives have come to gladly accept the new America by accommodating other people’s cultures by learning English, looking for jobs in any part of the United States etc. from reading the books by Dennis Banks, I have realized that, the natives American cultures and politics can indeed shape the contemporary leadership in our society by learning the ways of an Ojibwa warrior. The American Indian Movement is a good example of how common interests are represented by a political party or movement that do not use force but peace to fight or their rights and rightful position in the society. The manner in which Banks and his colleagues leads their tribe is exceptional compared to the contemporary leaders, their struggle and live on hope. Their struggle is undeterred by challenge nor gets intimidated by their government until they realize their quest.
Work cited
Dennis, Banks & Richard, Erdoes. Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement. Oklahoma:University of Oklahoma Press. 2005
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