'SYMBOL OF COURAGE': Alex Decoteau went the distance for freedom

A hero in his lifetime and a legend today, Alex Decoteau risked everything to fight for the rights of his people.

Alex Decoteau was born in 1887 on the Standing Buffalo Dakota Reservation in North Dakota. His father was a Dakota Sioux chief, and his mother was a French-Canadian fur trader.

As a young man, Decoteau worked as a cowboy and a rodeo rider, which made him a strong and fearless individual. In 1910, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Indian Wars. He fought in several battles, and his bravery earned him the respect of his fellow soldiers.

After the war, Decoteau returned to the reservation and became a leader in the fight for Native American rights. He spoke out against the government's policies of assimilation and forced removal, and he helped to organize the American Indian Movement (AIM).

In 1973, AIM activists occupied the village of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in protest of the government's treatment of Native Americans. Decoteau joined the occupation and became one of its leaders. The occupation lasted for 71 days, and it ended with a violent confrontation between the activists and the FBI. Decoteau was arrested and charged with several crimes, but he was later acquitted.

Decoteau continued to fight for Native American rights until his death in 1985. He was a tireless advocate for justice, and he made a significant contribution to the Native American movement.

Decoteau's legacy lives on today. He is remembered as a symbol of courage and determination, and his story continues to inspire people around the world.

In 2000, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in honor of Decoteau. In 2009, the National Park Service designated Wounded Knee as a National Historic Landmark. And in 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Decoteau the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Alex Decoteau was a true American hero. He fought for what he believed in, and he never gave up, even when the odds were against him. His story is an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.