Dennis James Banks

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Banks, Dennis James "D.J.", also known as Nowa Cumig, co-founder and leader of the American Indian Movement journeyed to the Spirit World Sunday Night in Rochester, MN. He was 80 years old. Dennis was born on the Leech Lake Reservation in 1937 to Bertha Banks and was raised with Anishinabe traditions and language by his grandparents in Federal Dam. When he was four years old, he was forcibly taken to the Pipestone and Flandreau Indian Schools where he spent his childhood away from his family. After boarding school, Dennis joined the Air Force and was stationed in Japan where he awoke to the plight of native Japanese farmers fighting to save their land. It was while imprisoned for stealing groceries to feed his family that Dennis was inspired by the Black Civil Rights Movement. From that point forward, Dennis dedicated his life to empowering Indigenous Peoples around the world. In 1968, Dennis co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM) on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. From the takeover of the BIA building in Washington DC., to the Custer courthouse protests, to the 1973 Wounded Knee standoff, to the Longest Walks and Sacred Runs, Dennis worked tirelessly to bring international awareness and dialogue to issues affecting Indigenous People. Once he returned to his Leech Lake homelands, he spent his life building community through the revival of traditional Anishinabe lifestyles and practices. Dennis created and hosted The Great Anishinabe Canoe Race for community youth The Yamamoto Cup. From the ground up, he built the Dennis Banks Company that harvested and sold Leech Lake wild rice and local maple syrup products to customers globally. Because of Dennis' life's work, the fate of Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples around the world was forever changed. Dennis spent his free time visiting with friends and family, walking, playing cribbage, playing Scrabble, playing the slots . and ALWAYS reflecting . and ALWAYS planning for the future. "Flesh offerings will be taken at the door!" D.J. Banks All night wake TODAY beginning at 12 noon and Celebration of Life at 7pm at the American Indian Center, 1530 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis. Further all night wakes Thursday beginning at 2pm and Friday beginning at 12 noon and Celebration of Life at 7pm at the Battle Point Community Center, 10051 Battle Point Trail NW, Federal Dam.. Funeral service on Saturday at 10am at the Battle Point Community Center. Interment at Battle Point Cemetery, Federal Dam. The Chilson Funeral Home, Winsted, MN is serving the family. Condolences: chilsonfuneralhome.com 320-485-4447

Published on November 1, 2017