We recorded the longest Leonard Peltier interview ever!
In what was considered his final act in office, President Joe Biden commuted Leonard Peltier’s sentence to home confinement on January 20, 2025.
Six months later, Andrew and I were able to spend a week with Leonard on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota, where we were joined by Dan Merrival, Chase Iron Eyes, Tokata Iron Eyes, and Grandma Iron Eyes, who hadn't seen Leonard since his incarceration some fifty years ago.
It was an emotional reunion, and the conversation did not disappoint. For five days we discussed a range of topics from the Oglala Incident to his prison escape to the current restrictions Peltier's living under today. We also talked Peter Matthiessen, Rage Against the Machine, Donald Trump, Abrego Garcia, and ICE.
When we wrapped on June 26, 2025, the 50th anniversary of the firefight on Pine Ridge, Leonard reported that it was the longest interview he's ever given. We're not sure if that's good or bad, but we'll take whatever superlatives we can get from America's longest serving Indigenous political prisoner!
Thanks to everyone who made this shoot a success, including our new co-producers Sunny Singh and Chuck Banner. We're thrilled with the audio and video that we captured on Turtle Mountain and look forward to sharing it in new ways in Season 3.
ADDED BONUS(ES)
While hanging with Leonard, we also landed interviews with attorney Marty Garbus and Oglala shootout survivor Dino Butler. It was the week that kept on giving.
Especially when, as we were leaving, Tom Morello recruited Leonard to be in the music video for his new song, "Pretend You Remember Me." So out to the back yard we went to film the opening for Mr. Morello. Check it out below!