Depp Considers Buying Wounded Knee and Returning it to Indians

[BeyondGeography]

Buried in this Daily Mail feature on Johnny Depp is this tidbit that could pay big dividends to American Indians:

"Such is Depp’s commitment to the Native American cause, he is planning to spend millions of his own money to return land, Wounded Knee, in South Dakota, to their ownership.

The site, the scene of an 1890 massacre, is up for sale for $3.9 million. Local Native Americans say they cannot afford to buy it. Depp is outraged.

"It’s very sacred ground and many atrocities were committed against the Sioux there. And in the 1970s there was a stand-off between the Feds (Federal government) and the people who should own that land. This historical land is so important to the Sioux culture and all I want to do is buy it and give it back. Why doesn’t the government do that?"

Is he really prepared to pay for the land?

"I am doing my best to make that happen. It’s land they were pushed on to and then they were massacred there. It really saddens me."

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/07/10/depp-wants-buy-wounded-knee-and-return-it-indians-150359

Daily Mail feature is here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-2356133/Johnny-Depp-life-Vanessa-Paradis--cheating-death-The-Lone-Ranger.html

[Hydra]

1. ++ for Depp! n/m

[bunnies]

2. I love this.

Made my day.

[polly7]

3. Good for Depp, this is awesome! nt.

[newfie11]

4. I sure hope so

Been to the Cemetery and through the town many times.

The cemetery has a eerie feeling to it. It needs to belong to the Lakota People and Pine Ridge.

[glinda]

5. Some do not want it back and some do. Will be messy no matter what.

Hope it all works out.

[awoke_in_2003]

6. I always liked that guy. nt

[hardcover]

7. Depp is my hero

What a guy, and a damn fine looker too.

[dusty trails]

8. I

I ♥ Depp

[BehindTheCurtain76]

9. My Kinda Guy

Bet he supports Snowden too.

[MADem]

13. He left France when Hollande raised taxes....

What? Hang on a minute; why did he leave France? He makes a sour noise, part grunt, part hurrumph. "Cos France wanted a piece of me. They wanted me to become a permanent resident. Permanent residency status – which changes everything. They just want," and he mimes peeling off notes in his palm. "Dough. Money."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/nov/06/johnny-depp-interview-rum-diary
Not quite Gerard Depardieu, but not a socialist hero, either.

I think it is funny how, when people like a way that an actor or singer does their job, that they automatically make assumptions about how liberal or conservative they are.

The number of people who were infuriated when sassy Kelsey Grammar, with his clever Frasier quips, his long history on Cheers, was revealed to be a Republican, is a memory I'll not soon forget. "I always HATED him," people would say, when they did no such thing.

I don't give a shit how actors feel about stuff. They can raise money for candidates if they'd like, but I'm not going to them for political counsel.

Clint Eastwood didn't move Romney's numbers, except maybe down, did he?

[Iliyah]

10. Hurray!

I hope it comes true.

[MADem]

11. Well, he got some major shit for that Lone Ranger movie...that could be what is driving this....

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/03/johnny_depps_tonto_misstep_race_and_the_lone_ranger/

.......with today’s new release “The Lone Ranger,” he’s adding “American Indian” to the pile of personas he’s tried on — and scholars of American Indian history are not pleased.

Depp, who has claimed in the past to have Indian heritage (a claim that Indian Country Today, a media network for the American Indian community, has contested), is playing Tonto, one of the longest-running Indian characters in American media. It’s also an intensely problematic one. Depp, who was adopted into the Comanche Nation after signing on to “The Lone Ranger,” claims that his role is a “salute” to American Indians, and “Smoke Signals” director Chris Eyre, an American Indian, has said, “I completely respect Johnny Depp for making this movie happen and for him to try and rewrite Tonto for a new generation.” Some critics, including Salon’s Andrew O’Hehir, have found bright spots in the film even while acknowledging the problems inherent in its casting. Depp has screened the film for the Comanche nation — with many leaders of various tribes in attendance — and Disney donated proceeds from the Los Angeles premiere to the American Indian College Fund.

But for all the trappings of enlightened cooperation, the new Tonto may read as more of the same — and less a salute than an insult.

[Towlie]

14. That's a perfect example of cynicism, but I admit that it crossed my mind as well.

[MADem]

26. The article I posted was fairly restrained--I've seen others that were way meaner... nt

[theaocp]

12. If he comes through, he's like

Jack White to me. Keep fightin' the good fight, mancrushes.

[rwsanders]

15. I'd contribute if he needs help. Sad thing is the property was assessed at $140k, but the owners

are profiteering from the Sioux who want it back.

[shawn703]

20. I'm surprised that's all it's assessed at

Considering the historical value of the land. I'm guessing though that whoever assessed it didn't consider that, only the values of similar plots of land in the vicinity.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

16. We saw "The Lone Ranger" last night

I can see why it got blasted in the media. Way too close to the truth about how we "conquered" the west.

[BeyondGeography]

17. I want to see it for the locations alone

Spent a couple of days in Canyon de Chelly last week...otherworldy, really.

[knitter4democracy]

29. I love Canyon de Chelly! It really is a mystical place.

I need to take my kids there someday soon.

[frylock]

24. i had no desire to see it till i read your post

[MrSlayer]

27. Our whole family loved it.

Great movie. Action, comedy, good original story. I think the critics don't like it when the robber barons and the "white man" are called out.

[erpowers]

18. Government Should Do It

I agree with Depp. The United States should buy the land a return the land to the Sioux.

[Firebrand Gary]

19. I wish he would allow people to help. I'd donate.

[frankie2012]

21. Subject: President Obama: Save Wounded Knee

Subject: President Obama: Save Wounded Knee
Hi,
The historic and sacred site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre is about to be sold at auction to the highest bidder. It should be preserved as a National Monument, not sold for condos or private use. We have an obligation to preserve this for the historical record, our national conscience and for the First Nations people whose murdered ancestors call for us to sanctify this ground forever.

That's why I signed a petition to President Barack Obama, which says:

"The United States should buy the historically invaluable and sacred site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre of the Lakota people and make it a National Monument. The owner is about to put it up for auction after May 1, and it will be sold to private party and lost to history if the federal government does not step in."

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/president-obama-save-7?source=s.em.cp&r_by=7951698

Thanks!
http://petitions.moveon.org/thanks.html?petition_id=41031&test_group=share_chain&from_source=s.em.cp&id=-7951698-VWlVUO

Save Wounded Knee FACEBOOK PAGE
AS OF DECEMBER 29th, 2012 THE FAMILY OF JAMES A. CZYWCZYNSKI HAS AGREED TO SELL TWO 40 ACRE SITES, WOUNDED KNEE AND PORCUPINE BUTTE
https://www.facebook.com/SaveWoundedKnee?fref=ts

[BeyondGeography]

22. Done...many thanks

[Rhiannon12866]

25. Also done! And Tweeted! Glad to help!

And welcome to DU!

[frylock]

23. much respect if that's the case

[sabbat hunter]

28. what is for him to consider

he certainly can afford it, and it would be awesome of him to do so.

[OnionPatch]

30. Johnny Depp

a beautiful person, inside and out!!

I hope he is successful in this.

[cntrygrl]

31. Depp

This is fantastic. I hope he will be able to do this but would it really be that easy? Would there be land taxes, insurance etc? If this sounds ignorant, please know that I honestly don't know what would be the legalities of such a deal.