|
Westerman was born on the Lake Traverse Reservation, home of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Dakota (Sioux) in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As a youth, he attended an off-reservation elementary school where he was forced to cut his hair and forbidden to speak his native language. This would profoundly impact his later life and his restless pursuit of championing his own heritage (Time Magazine, Dec. 31 2007 - Jan. 7th 2008). At the age of 10, Westerman 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. In his last film, Westerman 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. In September 2007, Westerman finished work for the film Swing Vote.
Before entering films and television, Westerman had established a solid reputation as a country-western music singer. His recordings offer a 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, Bonnie Raitt, Harry Belafonte, Joni Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Westerman toured with Sting in the 1990s to raise funds to preserve rain forests.
He earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State University in South Dakota. Westerman also spent two years in the United States Marine Corps.
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.
Westerman died on December 13, 2007 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after an extended illness and complications from leukemia.
His interment was located at Saint Matthew's Catholic Cemetery in Veblen, South Dakota.
Tillamook Treasure
Renegades
Naturally Native
The Brave
Dusting Cliff 7
Jonathan degli orsi
Clearcut
Legends of the West
Red Crow
The Doors
Dances with Wolves
Powwow Highway (voice)
We Pray with Tobacco (documentary)
Last Party 2000 (aka Party's Over USA: video title)
Hidalgo
DreamKeeper
Atlantis: Milo's Return
Truth and Dare... aka Party On
Legends of the West
Grey Owl
Buffalo Girls
500 Nations (voice)
Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee
Siringo
The Broken Chain
Rio Shannon
Walker, Texas Ranger
Northern Exposure
Dharma & Greg
Millennium
Poltergeist: The Legacy
The Pretender
Roseanne
The X-Files
Murder, She Wrote
Captain Planet and the Planeteers (voice)
Hardball
L.A. Law
MacGyver
Femte port, Den (TV movie)
Judging Amy
Baywatch Nights
"Lakota" commercials
The Dakota Conflict (voice)
Custer Died for Your Sins (1969)
Indian Country (1970)
Custer Died for Your Sins (re-recording) (1982)
The Land is Your Mother (1982)
Oyate (with Tony Hymas) (1990)
A Tribute to Johnny Cash (2006 |
FLOYD RED CROW WESTERMAN, American Indian activist and country folk singer, was born on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota in 1936. In the Dakota language RED CROW is pronounced 'Kanghi Duta'. At the age of ten, he was sent to a government boarding school 80 miles off the reservation. He graduated from high school on the Flandreau South Dakota Sioux reservation, and continued on to Northern State College, South Dakota, majoring in Speech, Theater and Art. He earned a degree in Secondary Education, as well as beginning work on a Law Degree.
Well known on the country-folk singing circuit, RED CROW began his career in Colorado, and in 1969 he signed his first recording contract in New York. His first album, "Custer Died For Your Sins", based on Vine Deloria Jr.'s book, was released in 1970. The release of "Custer" led him to personal appearances throughout the U. S. and eventually worldwide. His second album, "The Land is Your Mother" was released in 1982. Since 1980 his concerts, in support of Human Rights for Indigenous People of the World, have taken him on more than 60 trips to Europe, Central and South America, as well as the U.S. and Canada. As a leader in the North American Indian Movement, he is actively involved in all aspects of human rights which includes, the recognition of treaty, land and religious rights. In 1999, he was elected national co-Chair of the Coalition Against Racism in Sports.
To raise funds for the Rain Forest Foundation Project, in the early 90?s RED CROW went on a worldwide tour with musician Sting. RED CROW'S commitment to help stop the cutting of the Rain Forest in the Amazon jungle gave him the opportunity to have an audience with many foreign dignitaries including, the Pope, Prince Charles, and President Mitterand of France.
RED CROW'S many personal appearances include concerts and song writing collaborations with such well known artists as Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson, Richie Havens, Buffy Saint Marie, Jackson Browne, and Harry Belafonte. He also appears in Sting's video, released by A&M records and directed by Academy Award nominated director Jean Pierre Detelleux.
RED CROW made his big screen debut in the motion picture RENEGADES, directed by Jack Sholder. He played Arthur, the Lakota Sioux father to Lou Diamond Phillips. Since that time his list of screen credits has continued to grow. His work with a number of prestigious directors includes Kevin Costner, who was quick to cast him as the third lead in DANCES WITH WOLVES. Floyd?s brilliant and memorable portrayal of Chief Ten Bears earned him worldwide acclaim and recognition in the motion picture industry.
Director Oliver Stone cast RED CROW in the pivotal role of a Shaman and spiritual guide to Jim Morrison in THE DOORS. RED CROW'S portrayal of such notable characters as No Ears, in BUFFALO GIRLS, Grandfather Fool Bull in LAKOTA WOMAN, and Wilf in CLEARCUT, is unforgettable. In 1999, Floyd once again played the classic role of the tribal elder in director Richard Attenborough's GREY OWL, starring Pierce Brosnan.
Network television quickly became aware of RED CROW'S talents and cast him as Uncle Ray in the series WALKER TEXAS RANGER. His numerous television roles include guest leads in Northern Exposure, The Pretender, L.A. Law, X-Files, Millennium, Roseanne, Dharma and Greg, and a cameo appearance as Sitting Bull in the four-hour mini-series, SON OF THE MORNING STAR, directed by Mike Robe. RED CROW brings a sense of dignity, honor, tradition, and heritage to all his acting pursuits. While working with other creative personnel, he promotes and teaches understanding, tradition and the meaning of all things sacred to Indian people. He continues to pursue his acting career and dedicating his life to the causes of human rights and environmental issues. He feels he is carrying the 'baton' passed on to him by fellow actor Will Sampson who received it from Chief Dan George.
|
