Floyd Westerman (August 17, 1936 – December 13, 2007) was a Sisseton Dakota musician, political activist, and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life he became an actor, usually depicting Native American elders in American films and television. He is also credited as Floyd Red Crow Westerman. As a political activist, he spoke and marched for Native American causes.

Early life

He was born Floyd Westerman on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, home of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, a federally recognized tribe that is one of the sub-tribes of the Eastern Dakota section of the Great Sioux Nation, located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. His Indigenous name Kanghi Duta means "Red Crow" in the Dakota language (which is one of the three related Siouan languages of the Great Plains).

At the age of 10, Westerman was sent to the Wahpeton Boarding School, where he first met Dennis Banks (who as an adult became a leader of the American Indian Movement). There Westerman and the other children were forced to cut their traditionally long hair and forbidden to speak their native languages. This experience would profoundly impact Westerman's development and entire life. As an adult, he reclaimed his heritage and became an outspoken advocate for Indigenous cultural preservation.

Westerman graduated from Northern State University with a B.A. degree in secondary education. He served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps, before beginning his career as a country singer. He was survived by his wife Rosie, four daughters, and a son.

Selected filmography

  • Powwow Highway (1989) - CB Radio Voice (voice)
  • Renegades (1989) - Red Crow
  • Dances with Wolves (1990) - Ten Bears
  • The Making of 'Dances with Wolves (1990) - TV Short documentary - Himself
  • Son of the Morning Star (1991, TV Mini-Series) - Sitting Bull
  • The Doors (1991) - Shaman
  • Clearcut (1991) - Wilf
  • The Broken Chain (1993, TV Movie) - Tribe Elder
  • Jonathan of the Bears (1994) - Chief Tawanka
  • Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee (1994, TV Movie) - Mary's grandfather
  • 500 Nations (1995, TV Mini-Series) - (voice)
  • Buffalo Girls (1995, TV Mini-Series) - No Ears
  • Dusting Cliff 7 (1997) - Indian Bob
  • The Brave (1997) - Papa
  • Naturally Native (1998) - Chairman Pico
  • Grey Owl (1999) - Pow Wow Chief
  • Graduation Night (2003) - Old Man
  • Atlantis: Milo's Return (2003) - Chakashi (voice)
  • Dreamkeeper (2003, TV Movie) - Iron Spoon
  • Hidalgo (2004) - Chief Eagle Horn
  • Tillamook Treasure (2006) - Standing Elk
  • Comanche Moon (2008, TV Mini-Series) - First Old Comanche
  • Swing Vote (2008) - Chief Running Bear (final film role)

Selected television appearances

  • MacGyver (1988, TV series) - Two Eagles
  • Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990, TV series) - Indian Chief (voice)
  • L.A. Law (1991, TV series) - Judge William Gainser
  • Northern Exposure (1991-1993, TV series) - One-Who-Waits
  • Murder, She Wrote (1992, TV series) - Uncle Ashie Nakai
  • Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-1994, TV series) - Uncle Ray Firewalker; 26 episodes
  • 500 Nations (1995, TV Mini-Series) (voice)
  • Roseanne (1995, TV series) - Floyd
  • The X-Files (1995-1999, TV series) - Albert Hosteen
  • The Pretender (1997, TV series) - Ernie Two Feathers
  • Baywatch Nights (1997, TV series) - Indian Guide Wahote
  • Poltergeist: The Legacy (1997, TV series) - Ezekial
  • Millennium (1997, TV series) - Old Indian
  • Dharma & Greg (1997-2001, TV series) - George Littlefox
  • Judging Amy (2001, TV series) - Mr. Wheeler

Discography

  • Custer Died for Your Sins (1969)
  • Indian Country (1970)
  • Custer Died for Your Sins (re-recording; 1982)
  • The Land is Your Mother (1984)
  • A Tribute to Johnny Cash (2006)

See also

References

Further reading

  • In Memoriam: Floyd Red Crow Westerman at TillamookTreasure.com
  • Audio profile at Tjwestern.com