Leonard received the news yesterday, Saturday, September 3^rd, early
in the morning before going into the prison sweat. All the brothers in
the ceremony at USP Lewisburg prayed for Steves spirit. Steve and
Leonard grew up together, like brothers. They were both very close to
each others families and children. Leonard tells us that a few days
ago he had a dream in which he and Steve were in a 60s Cadillac, they
were both happy and laughing, and free. Leonard got out and walked in
the snow, he felt the peace and happiness of his brother. Perhaps this
dream was Steves way of saying goodbye, and a good way for Leonard to
remember him.

Russ recalls that driving was Steves favorite way to think. He would
drive for miles thinking of ways to free Leonard. Steve and Tico (his
wife then) were the very first ones to go to Canada in 1976, along
with Leonards mother Alvina, to organize Leonards defense. Russ
joined them after the first hiatus of his Portland trial, established
the LPDC, and left Steve in charge. From that point on Steve became
the one brother who gave the most of his time and dedication to
freeing Leonard, and as Russ puts it left very high standards to
follow. The In the Spirit of Crazy Horse Newsletter was Steves
creation. Even though the newsletter has not been published in a
while, the new LPDC will bring it back to life as a tribute to Steve.

The last time Russ saw Steve was during the 25^th anniversary of
Wounded Knee where he asked Russ to get Leonards plight on the agenda.
In Northwest AIM style, Steve and Russ briefly took over the program
and Ida Stuntz, Joe Stuntzs sons, and others joined in, bringing
attention to our warrior behind bars in an occasion where his cause
could not go unnoticed.

Recently, grandma Roselyn Jumping Bull remembered Steve as the only
one who would go to Pine Ridge two weeks ahead of the June 26^th
commemoration and do everything that needed to be done so she and her
family would have no burdens associated with the event. Grandma
Dorothy Ackerman, of Portland, Oregon, also remembered Steve very
fondly and was very saddened to know he had passed on to the Spirit
world.

This is how everybody who loved him remembers Steve, as a hard
working, committed warrior, someone who will watch over our efforts
here on behalf of Leonard and for justice for all Native people, and a
tough act to follow. We, at the LPDC, pledge to build on his sacrifice
and never forget his legacy.

In the Spirit of all our warriors.

The LPDC Team

NOTE: We encourage all who knew Steve to sign the guest book on the
Rapid City Journal at http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=GB15007397X