LEONARD: Political Prisoner

Man Bites Dog Films
LEONARD: Political Prisoner

In 1977, Native American activist Leonard Peltier was sentenced to consecutive life terms for killing two FBI agents. Then in 2000, a Freedom of Information Act disclosure proved the Feds had framed him. But Leonard's still in prison. This is the story of what happened on the Pine Ridge Reservation half a century ago—and the man who's still behind bars for a crime he didn't commit.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Treaty Defender

    Over the course of his tenure, President Trump issued 143 pardons, but he showed no mercy to Leonard Peltier. In this episode Leonard reacts to Trump’s snub; filmmaker Kevin McKiernan joins us for a conversation with Indian treaty expert Charles Wilkinson; and Carol Gokee from the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee shares important updates on Leonard’s case and medical condition.  Support the show

    51 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    The Great Escape

    To avoid the tragic fate of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, who were killed after surrendering to the US government, AIM leader Dennis Banks was persuaded to leave Wounded Knee the night before the federal stand down on May 8, 1973. The warrior selected to lead his escape party was Lenny Foster, a Diné Navajo, who has since become Leonard Peltier’s spiritual adviser. Hear how Lenny was able to evade detection and smuggle Dennis Banks to safety with the help of the spirits. Support the show

    20 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Good Indian Guides

    In the early morning hours of June 28th, 1975, daylight was breaking on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation when Leonard Peltier, Bob Robideau, and Dino Butler discovered they’d been hiking in the wrong direction. Instead of finding themselves in Manderson, a nearby community home to numerous allies, they were in Pine Ridge village, the command center for the largest manhunt in American history. Hear how a handful of unsung local heroes risked it all to rescue the fugitives from the belly of the beast.  Support the show

    48 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Sacrificed

    The FBI transferred Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams to Pine Ridge to help with a backlog of cases despite neither having any training, experience, or special preparation for the civil war raging on the reservation. On June 25, 1975, the day before the shootout, a colleague advised the pair not to return to the Jumping Bulls on their own, but the G-men ignored the warning with deadly results. In this episode we examine the Bureau’s motivations and the beginnings of their ResMurs investigation. Support the show

    50 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Son of June

    We return to Pine Ridge to visit the grave of Joe Kills Right Stuntz, the murder site of Pedro Bissonette, and the June Little cabin on the Jumping Bull ranch with Chase Iron Eyes. Chase is an Oglala Lakota and currently serves as the co-director and lead counsel of the Lakota People's Law Project. But there’s something else you should know about Chase. His personal connection to the Oglala firefight and Leonard. Support the show

    56 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    What The Hell Just Happened?

    On the 46th anniversary of the Oglala shootout, we rally for clemency at the Black Voters Matter demonstration in Washington, D.C., a few hundred yards from where a violent mob stormed the Capitol Building on January 6th. It’s a beautiful moment – until a white man in an American flag cape, Navy uniform, and Michael Myers mask rushes the stage and wreaks havoc. Support the show

    1h 22m

  7. EPISODE 7

    Big Burning Dumpster Fire

    Journalist Jen Bendery has been reporting on Leonard Peltier’s case for the Huffington Post for the last two years. In this one-on-one interview we chat with Jen about the Biden administration’s strides for Native Americans, missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), and how a reporter’s routine request for a status update from the Office of the Pardon Attorney put her on the FBI’s radar. Support the show

    38 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    NDN Kars

    Singer-songwriter Keith Secola expounds on Leonard’s life as a symbol for native rights and Indigenous sovereignty in an unplugged acoustic set, which includes an Anishinaabe flute blessing, the track “Innocent Man,” and a very special version of “NDN Kars,” the number one most requested song on tribal radio since 1992. Support the show

    22 min
See All Season 2 (14)

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About

In 1977, Native American activist Leonard Peltier was sentenced to consecutive life terms for killing two FBI agents. Then in 2000, a Freedom of Information Act disclosure proved the Feds had framed him. But Leonard's still in prison. This is the story of what happened on the Pine Ridge Reservation half a century ago—and the man who's still behind bars for a crime he didn't commit.

Information

  • Creator
    Man Bites Dog Films
  • Episodes
    23
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 LEONARD: Political Prisoner
  • Show Website
    LEONARD: Political Prisoner
  • Provider

    Wondery, Inc. has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 9229 W Sunset Blvd Ste 820 West Hollywood California 90069-3400 United States Phone Number +1 6193300067 Email get@help.wondery.com

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