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parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

Floyd Red Crow Westerman, an American Indian activist, actor and folk singer who appeared in ``Dances with Wolves'' and performed with Willie Nelson and other musicians, has died. He was 71.

Westerman died Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications from leukemia, said his son, Richard Tall Bear Westerman.

The entertainer appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, including in recurring roles as Uncle Ray Firewalker on ``Walker, Texas Ranger'' and George Littlefox on ``Dharma & Greg.''

His most memorable movie role was in Kevin Costner's 1990 Oscar-winning Western epic, ``Dances with Wolves.'' He played the Sioux leader Ten Bears, who befriends Costner's character.

A respected musician, Westerman worked with Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Harry Belafonte, Jackson Browne and others. His debut album, released in 1970, was titled ``Custer Died For Your Sins.'' Last year he released ``A Tribute to Johnny Cash'' to positive reviews.

``He always said he was a musician first and he just acted for the money,'' his son said Friday.

Westerman completed work in September on the upcoming Costner film ``Swing Vote.''

He was an activist for environmental causes, and for the rights of American Indians and other indigenous people. In the 1990s, Westerman toured the world with Sting to raise money to preserve rain forests.

``He was really, really politically conscious,'' his son said. ``He said the Iraq war is just another land grab, like they did with Oklahoma and the Midwest in America. Back then it was about land and gold, and now it was about oil.''

Westerman was born Aug. 17, 1936, on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota.

He left the reservation as a youngster to attend a government boarding school. In keeping with policies at the time, the school frowned on his culture.

``They cut his hair and they wouldn't allow him to speak the language,'' his son said. ``He was a survivor of everything that the government has tried to do to Native Americans.''

Westerman graduated from a reservation high school, spent two years in the Marines and earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State College in South Dakota.

He made his movie debut in 1989's ``Renegades,'' playing the father of Lou Diamond Phillips' character. He was a shaman in Oliver Stone's 1991 movie ``The Doors.''

Survivors include his wife, Rosie, and daughters Jennifer Westerman of Arizona, Chante Westerman of Washington state, Nicky Jackson of Minneapolis, and Chenoa Westerman of South Dakota.

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"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

any chance this can be moved. put it in the wrong section!
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"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

Blackadder · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:

The American Indian died. How?
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Laird of Treverlen

mairead · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject:

Presumably from Illness but I don't know for sure.
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I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Celtic Indian · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:

mairead · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

Cannibals then?
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Blackadder · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

I see Celtic Indian's not got it yet either.
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Laird of Treverlen

mairead · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

How?
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

carol · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

kid's TV programme

he died from an 'extended illness and complications from leukemia'

carol · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

BA are you sending smoke signals Razz

Blackadder · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:09 am Post subject:

I don't smoke. And Carol's not got it either! Very Happy

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Laird of Treverlen

mairead · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:26 am Post subject:

Even after I posted a hint? Think you better say BA
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Blackadder · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

Nope ... anyone who wants know should PM me. You did! That's the drill!
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Laird of Treverlen

carol · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

aye right, I'm not that desperate to know Razz

Blackadder · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:17 am Post subject:

Okay. Fair enough. Let's just end this thread ............. NOW! Laughing

Guest · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

another memebr of rfb's virtual graveyard.

Babygael · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:38 am Post subject:

Dances with wolves is one of my favorite movies and even though I think "Walker Texas ranger" is REALLY corny.....

RIP Flyod Red Crow.

I read someplace that there were Bards who had shaman type status? I have tried to find, without sucess, a web site with a real indepth insight into the life and times of the Bards, so if anyone out there knows of one, I would be greatfull if you would help me with this one.
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Pict Quine.

Here is where I come to water my roots.

Blackadder · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

Have you tried http://www.thebards.net/ ??
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Laird of Treverlen

Babygael · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:05 am Post subject:

Are we being facetious my love? However, I do thank you so much for that link, very enlightening I'm sure!

_________________
Pict Quine.

Here is where I come to water my roots.

Blackadder · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:30 am Post subject:

Facetious? Moi? Perish the thought!
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Laird of Treverlen