Native Bidaské: The Illusion of Freedom and the Myth of America 250, Leonard Peltier Speaks Out

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By Kristen Lilya, Native StoryLab

March 02, 2026

Speaking on Native News Online’s Native Bidaské, Leonard Peltier (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), who spent almost 50 years behind bars for crimes he says he never committed, made it clear that Native Americans have nothing to celebrate this Fourth of July as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

For a nation whose founding document labeled Indigenous peoples as "merciless savages," the upcoming “America 250” celebration is less a milestone of liberty and more a stark reminder of survival against a government that historically sought to exterminate them.

Native News Online publisher Levi Rickert interviewed Peltier to reflect on his first year of freedom after serving 49 years and two months in prison. The wide-ranging conversation illuminated a critical reality: Peltier may be out of a cell, but he is far from truly free. 

While in one of his last official acts in office, President Joe Biden signed the clemency to free Peltier from the federal penitentiary in Coleman, Florida, Peltier remains under home confinement on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

Freedom with Strings Attached

Since his release on February 18th of last year, Peltier’s daily life has remained heavily restricted. He detailed the frustrating limitations on his basic liberties, noting that he must get a pass just to travel 100 miles off the reservation for medical care or to attend religious ceremonies.

"They promised me that they would not interfere in my religious activities," Peltier said, adding that he intends to file a lawsuit soon over what he views as First Amendment violations. Furthermore, he noted that his conviction entailed more than 14 constitutional violations.

Despite facing serious health challenges—including diabetes and an 80% loss of eyesight from cataracts—Peltier is finding solace in community care. He relies on traditional foods like salmon, elk, moose meat, and buffalo brought by visitors, which have improved his diet as he continues to restore his health.

Insight or Turning Point? Reframing America 250

Beyond talking about being out of prison, Rickert and Peltier discussed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) harassment on Native lands and a looming national celebration. Peltier’s insights strike at the heart of Indigenous sovereignty, urging a unified resistance against ongoing colonial suppression.

The most tension of the interview emerged when discussing the United States' 250th birthday. Peltier unequivocally rejected the idea of participating in the festivities. Instead of commemorating a government he says has done "nothing but try to exterminate" Native people, he called for Indigenous communities to use this global spotlight to expose the truth.

"We're no longer going to celebrate a false government until the truth comes out and they apologize to everybody for what they did... maybe we can start all over and build a real government of freedom and equal justice for everybody."

He challenged the American narrative, urging Native people to unify and remind the world of the real history of genocide, utilizing historical statements from presidents and government officials as proof.

Why This Matters Now: Deportations on Stolen Land

Peltier’s historical grievances are not relics of the past; they are deeply entangled with present-day crises. Rickert highlighted a disturbing national trend: Native Americans are increasingly being harassed by ICE agents based simply on the color of their skin.

Peltier connected this harassment directly to the 500-year history of colonizers attempting to deport Natives from their own lands. He expressed pride in Native youth who are pushing back, demanding identification from agents, and questioning their right to be on Indigenous land.

"Who are you people to come into our country and tell us that we got to show ID?" Peltier asked, reminding listeners that Indigenous people have been here for thousands of years. He warned that the political climate is growing more hostile, pointing to leadership that seeks a "full dictatorship," making the fight to defend Native communities more urgent than ever.

What’s Next?: Arming the Youth with Knowledge

When asked how the next generation should prepare for the fights ahead, Peltier echoed the wisdom of past elders: never forget your language, religion, or history. He reminded listeners that before the European invasion, Native peoples had advanced agricultural systems and sophisticated medical knowledge, including brain surgery.

But cultural pride must be paired with strategic adaptation. Peltier offered a directive for young leaders navigating modern systems:

"We need to learn the white man's education. We need to learn that so we know our enemy, and we know how to fight our enemy."

As the United States prepares to light fireworks for a republic built on Native land, Peltier’s words serve as a vital mandate for Indian Country. The fight for freedom did not end when he walked out of prison walls, nor did the fight for Native survival end in the 19th century. It is an ongoing responsibility to defend the land, tell the raw truth, and ensure that Indigenous people are never erased.

Watch the full conversation on Facebook, YouTube, and NativeNewsOnline.net.