Challenges Faced by Leonard Peltier: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Leonard Peltier. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist and member of AIM, was convicted of the 1975 murders of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He maintains his innocence. Sentenced to two life terms, his case has been a focal point of controversy and debate, with many believing him to be a political prisoner. After decades of incarceration, Peltier's sentence was commuted to indefinite house arrest on February 18, 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 1953: Enrolled at Wahpeton Indian School

In September 1953, Leonard Peltier was enrolled at the Wahpeton Indian School, a boarding school that practiced forced cultural assimilation.

November 1972: Participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Takeover

In November 1972, as an AIM member, Peltier participated in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) takeover in Washington D.C., which began as a peace march called the "Trail of Broken Treaties". The event escalated due to BIA and security officials attempting to forcefully remove protestors.

February 1973: Wounded Knee Occupation

In February 1973, AIM and Lakota members took over Wounded Knee at the Pine Ridge Reservation, leading to a 71-day siege by federal forces. During the occupation, Peltier was in jail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June 1975: Myrtle Poor Bear Provides False Affidavits

In June 1975, following Peltier's arrest, the FBI suborned and coerced Myrtle Poor Bear to provide false affidavits against Peltier, claiming she was an eyewitness to the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation and an ex-girlfriend of Peltier's.

June 26, 1975: Pine Ridge Shooting

On June 26, 1975, a shooting occurred on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, resulting in the deaths of two FBI agents. Leonard Peltier was later convicted of their murders, a charge he denies.

December 22, 1975: Named to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List

On December 22, 1975, Leonard Peltier was named to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

1975: Travels to Pine Ridge Reservation

In 1975, Leonard Peltier traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as a member of AIM, while also being a fugitive with an arrest warrant.

1975: Arrival at Oglala Nation to Protect Indigenous People

In 1975, Peltier arrived at the Oglala nation to help protect the Indigenous people living there who were being murdered. He and other AIM warriors were sent to defend the residents of the land, however, they were ambushed and forced to defend themselves.

February 6, 1976: Arrested in Canada

On February 6, 1976, Leonard Peltier was arrested in Hinton, Alberta, Canada, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

December 1976: Extradition from Canada

In December 1976, Leonard Peltier was extradited from Canada to the United States based on documents later claimed to contain false information.

April 1977: Conviction and Sentencing

In April 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of the murders of Coler and Williams and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

June 1, 1977: Sentencing to Two Life Sentences

On June 1, 1977, Peltier received two life sentences and was transferred to the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, following his extradition from Canada.

1977: Began serving sentences

In 1977, Leonard Peltier began serving his sentences.

July 20, 1979: Escape from Federal Correctional Institution

On July 20, 1979, Leonard Peltier and two other inmates escaped from the Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc, but he was captured three days later.

1979: Survival of Assassination Plot and Prison Escape

In 1979, Peltier survived an assassination plot and prison escape during his transfer to Lompoc prison.

1986: Conviction Confirmed

In 1986, Leonard Peltier's conviction was confirmed by the appeals court, despite evidence suggesting multiple AR-15s were present at the crime scene.

1993: Eligible for parole

In 1993, Peltier became eligible for parole after serving part of his sentence.

1999: Peltier files habeas corpus petition

In 1999, Leonard Peltier filed a habeas corpus petition.

January 2002: Editorial accuses Peltier of murdering FBI agents

In January 2002, Paul DeMain wrote an editorial stating that an unnamed delegation told him Leonard Peltier had murdered the FBI agents.

2002: Peltier files civil rights lawsuit

In 2002, Leonard Peltier filed a civil rights lawsuit against the FBI and its agents, alleging a systematic campaign of misinformation.

March 10, 2003: Statements published in News from Indian Country

On March 10, 2003, Paul DeMain published statements in News from Indian Country, which caused Peltier to sue him for libel.

May 1, 2003: Peltier sues DeMain for libel

On May 1, 2003, Leonard Peltier sued Paul DeMain for libel over statements published in News from Indian Country.

November 4, 2003: 10th Circuit Court rejects Peltier's habeas corpus petition

On November 4, 2003, the 10th Circuit Court rejected Leonard Peltier's habeas corpus petition.

March 22, 2004: Civil rights lawsuit dismissed

On March 22, 2004, Leonard Peltier's civil rights lawsuit against the FBI, Louis Freeh, and FBI agents, alleging a campaign of misinformation, was dismissed.

2004: FOIA Request Examination

In 2004, a Freedom of Information Act request prompted another examination of the FBI ballistics report used to convict Peltier, revealing some cartridge cases did not come from the rifle tied to him, though the appeals court rejected the defense's argument.

February 27, 2006: Court rules FBI doesn't have to release documents

On February 27, 2006, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the FBI did not have to release five documents relating to Leonard Peltier, citing national security.

January 13, 2009: Peltier beaten by inmates

On January 13, 2009, Leonard Peltier was beaten by inmates at the United States Penitentiary, Canaan.

January 2009: President George W. Bush denies Peltier's clemency petition

In January 2009, President George W. Bush denied Leonard Peltier's clemency petition before leaving office.

2009: Last parole hearing before 2024

In 2009, Leonard Peltier had a parole hearing.

2011: Peltier transferred to Florida

In the fall of 2011, Leonard Peltier was transferred to a federal penitentiary in Florida.

2014: Peltier housed at Coleman I

From 2014 until 2025, Leonard Peltier was housed at Coleman I, the high-security penitentiary wing of the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida.

2016: Peltier suffers from declining health

By 2016, Leonard Peltier's diabetes had led to impaired vision and kidney issues.

2016: High Country News reports on Peltier's treatment

In 2016, High Country News reported that Leonard Peltier had been beaten by inmates at every prison he had been in, likely with the collusion of guards.

January 18, 2017: Obama denies Peltier's clemency application

On January 18, 2017, two days before President Obama left office, the Office of the Pardon Attorney announced that Obama had denied Leonard Peltier's application for clemency.

June 8, 2018: Peltier files clemency request with President Trump

On June 8, 2018, it was reported that Leonard Peltier filed a formal clemency request with President Trump.

August 1, 2020: Withdrawal from Vice Presidential Ticket

On August 1, 2020, Leonard Peltier withdrew from the Party for Socialism and Liberation ticket for vice president due to health reasons.

August 2020: Peltier resigns from VP ticket

In early August 2020, Leonard Peltier was forced to resign from the ticket for health reasons from his position as Gloria La Riva's running mate, as VP, on the Party for Socialism and Liberation ticket and was replaced with Sunil Freeman.

February 6, 2023: Peltier makes a plea for clemency

On February 6, 2023, Leonard Peltier again made a plea for clemency.

April 2024: Appeals for Peltier's parole due to declining health

In April 2024, the International Indian Treaty Council and other groups appealed for Leonard Peltier's parole, citing his declining health.

June 10, 2024: Peltier has parole hearing

On June 10, 2024, Leonard Peltier had his first parole hearing since 2009, with a decision expected within 21 days.

July 2, 2024: Peltier is denied parole

On July 2, 2024, Leonard Peltier was denied parole.

January 2025: Peltier uses a walker

In January 2025, at the time his sentence was commuted, Peltier's sister reported that he now uses a walker.

2025: Peltier housed at Coleman I

From 2014 until 2025, Leonard Peltier was housed at Coleman I, the high-security penitentiary wing of the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida.