02/06/2026
An Open Letter from the Leonard Peltier Official Support Committee
Date: January 29, 2026
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To: The Global Support Community, Allies, and Friends of Leonard Peltier
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As we approach the one-year anniversary of the historic release of our brother, elder, and friend, Leonard Peltier, we find ourselves in a season of deep reflection and immense gratitude. After nearly five decades of wrongful incarceration, witnessing Leonard walk into
the sunlight on February 18, 2025, was a victory not just for one man, but for the spirit of Indigenous resistance and justice worldwide.
For years, the Leonard Peltier Official Support Committee has stood as a bulwark in the fight for his freedom. We have been honored to serve as his voice when he was silenced
and his shield when he was vulnerable. Today, as Leonard continues his journey of healing and adjustment back into society, we are writing to share an important transition in his
care.
Effective immediately, the Leonard Peltier Official Support Committee is announcing that we are putting the care and support of Leonard Peltier back into the hands of his family.
Throughout his life, Leonard has demonstrated a profound character defined by resilience, humility, and an unshakeable love for his people. He is a man of peace who stood for the sovereignty and dignity of all Indigenous nations, even at the cost of his own liberty. His leadership has never been about titles, but about service to the Creator and the generations to come.
Because of the depth of his character and the complexity of his health needs—born from decades of neglect in the carceral system—we believe that his family, who knows him best, is the most suitable and qualified to oversee and commit to his wellbeing. There is no support more sacred than that of a family reuniting, and there is no care more specialized than that which is rooted in kinship and unconditional love. Over the past year, we have been profoundly grateful to witness his transition: to visit with him, to share meals, and to see him reconnect with the land of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa. Our role has changed from one of advocacy for release to one of quiet support for his domestic peace. We wish Leonard and his family continued success, health, and happiness on this journey toward full liberation and restoration. Please stay tuned for updates about our work advocating for the human rights of prisoners.
In Spirit and Solidarity,
Leonard Peltier Official Support Committee
Kalonji Changa
Lenny Foster
Paulette Dauteuil-Robideau
O***m Sabbah
Suzie Baer
Dawn Lawson
