(October 22, 2012) American icon and patriot Russell Means passed away on October 22, several weeks after a delegation of Lakota leaders told the State Department they were unilaterally withdrawing from treaties they signed with the federal government of the United States. Lakota country includes parts of the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

Means, 72, died earlier today at his ranch in Porcupine, South Dakota, Oglala Sioux Tribe spokeswoman Donna Solomon said. In August 2011, Means announced he had inoperable throat cancer. He eschewed big pharma and medical establishment treatments in favor of traditional American Indian remedies and alternative treatments.

He joined the American Indian Movement in 1968 and staged a number of protests, including occupying the Mayflower II, a replica ship of the Mayflower, and staged a takeover of Mount Rushmore, a federal monument.

In 1973, Means and other AIM activists engaged the FBI in a standoff at Wounded Knee.