History of Leonard Peltier in Timeline
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.
September 12, 1944: Leonard Peltier Born
Leonard Peltier was born on September 12, 1944. He is a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement.
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.
May 1957: Graduation from Wahpeton Indian School
In May 1957, Leonard Peltier graduated from Wahpeton Indian School.
1965: Relocation to Seattle
In 1965, Leonard Peltier relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he later worked as a welder, construction worker, and co-owned an auto shop.
1968: Founding of AIM
In 1968, the American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded by urban Indians in Minneapolis.
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.
1972: Joins American Indian Movement (AIM)
In 1972, Leonard Peltier became an official member of the American Indian Movement (AIM).
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 11, 1975: Aquash interrogated about being an FBI informant
On December 11, 1975, Anna Mae Aquash was interrogated about being an FBI informant shortly before her murder, with Bruce Ellison participating.
December 1975: Anna Mae Aquash murder
In December 1975, high-ranking AIM activist Anna Mae Aquash was murdered at Pine Ridge, allegedly because she knew that Leonard Peltier had shot the two FBI agents.
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: Peltier recounts shooting FBI agents
In 1975, Peltier allegedly told Darlene "Kamook" Ecoffey and Anna Mae Aquash that he had killed the FBI agents.
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.
1975: Aquash suspected of being an informant
In 1975, after Douglass Durham was revealed to be an FBI agent, AIM leaders suspected Anna Mae Aquash of being an informant.
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.
1977: Began serving sentences
In 1977, Leonard Peltier began serving his sentences.
February 1978: Acquitted of Attempted Murder
In February 1978, Leonard Peltier was acquitted of the attempted murder charge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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.
1983: Interview for In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
In 1983, Leonard Peltier was interviewed for Peter Matthiessen's book "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse", where he provided an alibi about the events of the morning of the FBI agent murders.
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.
1992: Robideau says agents shot by 'Mr. X'
In the 1992 documentary, Incident at Oglala, AIM activist Robert Robideau said that the FBI agents had been shot by a 'Mr X'.
1993: Eligible for parole
In 1993, Peltier became eligible for parole after serving part of his sentence.
1995: Dino Butler denies Mr. X
In a 1995 interview with E.K. Caldwell, Dino Butler contended that 'Mr X' was a creation of Peltier's supporters to gain his release.
1999: Asserted innocence on CNN
In 1999, Leonard Peltier asserted on CNN that he did not commit the murders and does not know who did.
1999: Peltier files habeas corpus petition
In 1999, Leonard Peltier filed a habeas corpus petition.
1999: Publication of "Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance"
In 1999, Peltier's memoir, "Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance," was published, where he admitted to participating in the shootout but denied killing the FBI agents.
2001: Rumors of Bill Clinton considering clemency for Peltier
In 2001, near the end of the Clinton administration, rumors circulated that Bill Clinton was considering granting Leonard Peltier clemency, leading to opposition from FBI agents and Director Louis Freeh.
2001: Bernie Lafferty says Peltier referred to murder
In a 2001 interview with News From Indian Country, Bernie Lafferty said that she had witnessed Leonard Peltier referring to his murder of one of the agents.
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.
2003: Grand jury hearings on Aquash case
In 2003, there were federal grand jury hearings on charges against Arlo Looking Cloud and John Graham for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Anna Mae Aquash.
2003: Two men indicted for Aquash murder
In 2003, two Native American men were indicted and later convicted of the murder of Anna Mae Aquash.
February 2004: Looking Cloud convicted of Aquash murder
In February 2004, Fritz Arlo Looking Cloud was tried and convicted of the murder of Anna Mae Aquash.
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.
May 25, 2004: Peltier withdraws libel suit
On May 25, 2004, Leonard Peltier withdrew his libel suit against Paul DeMain after settling the case.
2004: Ellison refuses to testify at Looking Cloud's trial
In 2004, Bruce Ellison refused to testify at Looking Cloud's trial, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.
2004: Presidential Run
In 2004, Leonard Peltier ran for president of the United States. He won the nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party and received 27,607 votes in California.
2004: Peltier runs for president
In 2004, Leonard Peltier was the candidate for the Peace and Freedom Party for President of the United States, receiving 27,607 votes in California.
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.
June 26, 2007: Supreme Court orders Graham extradition
On June 26, 2007, the Supreme Court of British Columbia ordered the extradition of John Graham to the United States for the murder of Aquash.
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.
2010: Graham tried for Aquash murder
In 2010, John Graham was tried by the state of South Dakota for his alleged role in the murder of Anna Mae Aquash.
2011: Kevin Sharp becomes U.S. District Judge
In 2011, Kevin Sharp, Peltier's serving attorney, became U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee.
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.
2014: Kevin Sharp becomes Chief Judge
In 2014, Kevin Sharp, Peltier's serving attorney, became Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
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.
2016: Clemency application filed with Obama
In 2016, Peltier's attorneys filed a clemency application with the White House, leading to a campaign for President Obama to commute his sentence.
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.
2017: Kevin Sharp ceases to be U.S. District Judge
In 2017, Kevin Sharp ceased to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee.
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.
July 9, 2021: Reynolds states Peltier's prosecution was unjust
On July 9, 2021, James H. Reynolds wrote a letter to President Biden stating that Peltier's prosecution and continued incarceration was unjust.
June 7, 2022: UN Human Rights Council Analysis
On June 7, 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an analysis stating Peltier's detention contravenes international human rights norms and urged a full investigation.
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 8, 2024: Interview with Kevin Sharp
On June 8, 2024, Peltier's attorney Kevin Sharp gave an interview regarding Peltier's case.
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.
January 19, 2025: Sentence commuted to indefinite house arrest
On January 19, 2025, President Joe Biden commuted Peltier's sentence to indefinite house arrest shortly before leaving office.
February 18, 2025: Peltier released to home confinement
On February 18, 2025, Joe Biden commuted Leonard Peltier's life sentence to home confinement, and Peltier was released on that date.
February 19, 2025: Peltier speaks at welcome home event
On February 19, 2025, Leonard Peltier spoke publicly at Belcourt's Sky Dance Casino and Resort during an event welcoming him home.
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.
2026: Interim hearing to discuss parole
In 2026, an interim hearing to discuss Leonard Peltier's parole is set.
2039: Another full parole hearing set
In 2039, another full parole hearing is set for Leonard Peltier.
