Floyd Red Crow Westerman dies

Floyd Red Crow Westerman, the celebrated Native American singer, actor and activist, has died at 71

Westerman, who died Friday in Los Angeles, began his career as a country singer, The Rapid City (S.D.) Journal and NativeTimes.com reported Saturday.

The Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota later appeared in more than 50 films and television productions, including "Dances with Wolves," "Hidalgo," "The Doors," "Poltergeist," and "Northern Exposure"

Westerman appeared also in 12 episodes of the TV series, "Walker, Texas Ranger," as Uncle Ray Firewalker, it was reported.

His first album "Custer Died for Your Sins," became the background theme of the emerging Red Power Movement in 1969.

"He's the closest thing that the Indian community ever had to a Woody Guthrie," said longtime concert promoter Mark Tilsen."He managed to do those songs that talked painful, truthful things but without putting anybody on edge. He was really a great songwriter."

Floyd Red Crow Westerman (August 17, 1936 – December 13, 2007) was a Dakota musician, activist and actor born on the Lake Traverse Reservation, home of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Dakota (Sioux) in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The elder Dakota in the late 20th century became a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. He is sometimes credited as Floyd Crow Westerman.
At the age of 10, he was sent to the Wahpeton Boarding School, where he first met Dennis Banks of the American Indian Movement.
Westerman's film and television appearances include the role of the "Shaman" for Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors and as "Ten Bears" in Dances with Wolves. Westerman debuted in Renegades in which he played "Red Crow" the Lakota Sioux father of Lou Diamond Phillips. Westerman also appeared as Standing Elk alongside his long-time friend Max Gail in the 2006 family film, Tillamook Treasure. He can be seen as well in the beginning of Hidalgo, as the Chief in Buffalo Bill's circus.
His television roles have included playing "Uncle Ray" on Walker, Texas Ranger, "One Who Waits" on Northern Exposure and multiple appearances as "Albert Hosteen" on the X-Files.
Before his entrance in films and television, Westerman had established a solid reputation as a country-western music singer. His recordings offer probing analysis of European influences in Native American communities. In addition to several recordings of his own, Westerman has collaborated with Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Before that, he had earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State University in South Dakota.
Westerman was also a recognized political advocate for Native American causes, working at times with the American Indian Movement. In 2000, American Indian Expo named Westerman celebrity of the year.
From 2003-2007, Westerman appeared in a number of television advertisements for "Lakota" brand topical pain reliever, often wearing traditional Native dress.