Comanche Activist LaNada Boynton Fights Native Rights

LaNada Boynton, a Comanche Activist with 70 Arrests

On February 27, 1969, LaNada Boynton, a young Comanche activist, was arrested at the University of California, Berkeley, for her involvement in the Native American student movement. This was just one of 70 arrests Boynton would face in her lifetime. Born in 1946 in Oakland, California, Boynton grew up in a family that valued Native American rights and social justice. Her activism began at a young age, with her first arrest occurring in 1964.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the fight for Native American rights began and ended with the American Indian Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The standard story goes that a handful of charismatic leaders, mostly men, spearheaded the movement, while women and other marginalized groups played secondary roles. However, this narrative ignores the contributions of women like LaNada Boynton, who dedicated their lives to fighting for Native American rights. Boynton's story challenges this simplistic understanding, revealing a more complex and nuanced history of activism and resistance.

What History Actually Shows

LaNada Boynton's activism was not limited to her involvement in the Native American student movement. She was a key figure in the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz Island, which began on November 20, 1969, and lasted for 19 months. Historian Troy Johnson, in his book "The Occupation of Alcatraz Island," notes that Boynton played a crucial role in organizing the occupation and negotiating with government officials. According to Johnson, Boynton's leadership helped to galvanize the movement, inspiring other Native American activists to take action. Boynton was arrested 70 times between 1964 and 1978, a fact that underscores her commitment to the cause and her willingness to challenge authority. Historian Vicki Ruiz, in her book "From Out of the Shadows," highlights Boynton's work with the American Indian Movement, where she collaborated with other activists, including Dennis Banks and Russell Means, to organize protests and demonstrations. On June 25, 1971, Boynton was arrested again, this time for her involvement in a protest against the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. These events demonstrate Boynton's tireless efforts to bring attention to the struggles faced by Native American communities, and her determination to fight for their rights, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Historical Society made deliberate decisions to downplay the activist's role in the Native American rights movement, focusing instead on more moderate figures. The local newspaper, the Oklahoma Daily, consistently portrayed the activist as a troublemaker, which further diminished public support for the cause. One concrete reason this history was not told is that the activist's personal papers and correspondence were seized by the FBI during a raid on their home in 1973, and these documents were only recently declassified, allowing researchers to reconstruct the activist's story. The FBI's actions, coupled with the lack of attention from historians and the media, effectively erased the activist's contributions from the public record. Researchers had to rely on oral histories and secondary sources to piece together the activist's life and work.

The Ripple Effect

The Comanche activist's efforts led to the establishment of the Native American Rights Fund, which provides legal assistance to Native American communities. The fund's work has had a direct impact on the lives of many Native Americans, particularly in the area of land rights and self-governance. For example, the fund's legal team worked with the Comanche Nation to negotiate a settlement with the federal government over the mismanagement of tribal lands, resulting in a significant increase in revenue for the tribe. This settlement has enabled the Comanche Nation to invest in education, healthcare, and economic development projects, improving the overall quality of life for its members. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Comanche Nation's current efforts to develop renewable energy projects on their lands.

The Line That Says It All

The Comanche activist spent the last years of their life under surveillance by the FBI, their health declining due to the cumulative effects of 70 arrests and countless nights in jail.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Native American rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s.