Vernon Bellecourt

I was 18 when I heard my Grandmother speak her native tongue in public for the first time, thanks to warriors like Vernon, we didn't have to lie anymore. Mi-gwetch!!

UNCLE VERNON, you will be greatly missed. I appreciate all the opportunities that you've opened for our people. Your inspirations and teachings will never be forgotten! MI-GWETCH!!!

This world will never be the same without you. You will be missed forever. Thanks for all your hard work and efforts to make this world a better place for all your people you cared so much for..have a peaceful journey home.

Janice You and Your Family are In My Thoughts and Prayers

Because of you, my parents became unafraided to speak about there heritage and for that i am greatful,because i now understand my dreams and visions and why i receve them.

As a kid growing up in south mpls I learned from this man how to stand up for myshelf and others! To fight for what you believe in and be proud of who you are! I'm thankful for this man and thankful gitchi maniidoo blessed us with such a champion! Ahow gaawaabaamin miinowaa waabun inini- Migwetch!

Vernon will always be looked up to by those of us who want to keep our rights and are willing to put their self on the line for others. You will be missed by all!

Rest in Peace.. you accomplished everything people can only imagine. You are Home Now...

Our deepest condolences go out to the Vern Bellecourt Family. Not only was he a good friend, but a good good man aswell. He will be deeply missed. We have many good memories of Vern to always cherish in our hearts. Love and Peace, The Frank&Ida Dickenson Family. (Karen,Willie,Polly,Kathy,Muriel,James,Kim,Rhonda & Shelda.Chaboyea's/Dickenson's

Vernon family,
I am a distant member of White Earth my Great Grand Father is full blooded. My heart goes out to all of you. I think this link is apppropiate to honor Vernon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K7QEGQZ7Wg
copy and paste into your webbrowser this link says it all for all American Indian people including Ojibawae.

I wish to express my condolences to Vernon's family, the White Earth Nation & the entire Native community of the Twin Cities. I am forever changed by his life's work and the tremendous legacy he leaves for Native people everywhere. May the coming days be filled with reflection, grace & serenity.

I never had the opportunity to meet with Vernon but from a distance we have shared the need to bring about change for our people. He was/is an inspiration to peoples the world over for his fight for right.

May his spirit forever live.

To the family members of Vernon Bellecourt. Vernon will be missed, his work was important, he provided me with inspiration to work on justice issues 33 years ago. This was the commitment, honesty and forthrightness Vernon passed on to me. I will always remember. My last long conversation was just a short while ago and his comments will remain forever.

To the Bellecourt family..I met Vernon years ago in a little restaurant where I worked..It was a great pleasure to serve him and his family...I admired his good deeds..He will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched..Peace be the journey

My sympathy for the Bellecourt family and everyone who mourns the loss of a warrior for the cause. As a part of the peace, freedom, and justice movement in Minneapolis during the time of the civil rights struggle and the birth of the Aim movement, we have lost a role-model and soldier. As with so many who have maintained the work for freedom and justice in the US long after it was fashionable, Vernon's passing is a true loss; but the struggle lives on. To honor Vernon's life my hope is that we will be inspired to continue the fight and that many many young people will pick up the lance and continue to fight until justice and freedom is won for all. I recognize no gulf betwen the African American and Indigenous People of this country, only the shared struggle to save the planet and its people. Power to the People.

I don't know if he was the greatest protester, but he was most definitely a Great one. To me, he was important because he had something very, very special--he had COURAGE. He always had the courage to "say something" -to take a stand because the cause is important. It takes a lot to do that, a lot of spirit- and that is what makes a good leader. He came along at a time when we needed something; we needed hope, and his bravery inspired people to stand up and not back down; and we are stronger people because of it. Today American Indians have a Voice, and are not afraid to use it. But we have lost a great one.

Vernon,
You are one of my greatest mentors, as a leader, an inspiration for 30+ years. in American Indian activism. You've completed this lifes journey and struggles Vernon and have overcame!

It was a pleasure to know this man and his bro for 40+ years. As an MCT employee, I supported his election to the White Earth Tribal Council and saw his passion on working on Indian issues. Again in the 80's, at AIOC, I worked with him on a weekly basis and saw a true believer at work. Any Skin who says he didn't have a positive effect on Indian issues by bring all the injustices to the public forum is a "--,,???!!`". Have a good journey, Vern.....

A true definition to OGITCHIDAA. A leader for our people, paved the path for social change for Indigenous Peoples in Indian Country. From Alaska to Argentina, we will always remember Vern. With our fists in the air, beadwork dripping from our ears, we look to the sky thanking Gitchimanidoo for this day, and the opportunity to have crossed paths with Man of the Dawn. We will not let your legacy fade. I take responsibility for making sure what you have started will not stop with your death....

The lessons that Vernon shared with people will be greatly missed. It seems like when you chatted with Vernon, you always ended up learning something - whether you were just stopping to say hi "real quick" or having a chance to chat a little longer. When I worked at AIOIC, I learned how to give some interesting tours by watching and listening when he would bring people through and talk about AIOIC and how it got started and all that good stuff. He inspired me to liven up my presentations and tours as well. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as they struggle to accept the loss of a very much loved one.

Always an inspiration,
You will always be remembered.

I will always remember Vernon as being a true leader of Native people. He and Clyde stepped up when our family was in need of their help and stayed by our side. I will forever be grateful to have known such a man. Thank you for all you have done.

Deepest condolences to Vern's family. We have many good memories to reflect upon that we will cherish. Peace.

Verne,

This place and time will miss your thoughtfulness, wisdom, leadership and bravery
We all owe you for doing the hard work to challenge and change the many wrongs that exists
The very best for you on this your next journey

Till we meet again

Readus Fletcher /Tellstar News

To my dear cousin Vernon - you showed me a gentle person could be ferocious in what they believed. May your legacy live on.

Dear WaBun-Inini,

May the spirit of what you beliveve in and the eagle guide you to another world. You are the last great protester. They will never be another one like you. You're one in a million, and am very sorry that Mr. Peltier can not be at your wake and burial this week.

All the best to you, Clyde and your families.

Mark, Denise, Brett, No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. Peace from the Stately Family

Vernon,
You were always an inspiration for the Anshinabe people and very kind. You will always be remembered.

I have followed the Bellecourt brothers and the AIM movement for most of my life. I thank them for helping to bring the issues to the forefront. While I never had the honor to meet him, he will be missed by many. Thank you for your efforts in the struggle!

Peace be with you as you take your journey!

To: The family of Vernon, You are in the thought's and prayer's of many people including the Stately Family. Peace.

Vernon,
Your contribution to advancing political thought and action and your teaching of the real history of turtle island natives---will be missed. As you "move on" I feel your important work will live on.
miigwech!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Sincerely, Connie (Munnell) Reiners & Sis Munnell

Peace be with you as are now with the great Father.

Glen Hausfeld or my Trible
given name (little Bear).

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.