Remembering: Native American activist Frank LaMere

Funeral services will be held today at 10 a.m. at the St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago, Neb., for Native American activist, Frank LaMere, who died Sunday (June 16) at Nebraska Medicine as a result of bile duct cancer. He was 69.

A member of the Winnebago Tribe, LaMere lived in South Sioux City, Neb. He has long been recognized for his efforts to empower Native and non-Native people through his strong advocacy and social justice work.

An alumnus of the UNMC Board of Counselors, LaMere is widely recognized as one of the chief architects of the effort to stop the illegal flow of alcohol from Whiteclay, Neb., onto the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The 20-year effort resulted in a landmark 2017 Nebraska Supreme Court decision that closed the four beer stores.

"Frank was an advocate, an activist and a political force for change," said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs for UNMC. "He was a gentle warrior who successfully fought for his people. I'm honored to be his friend."

Lisa Spellman with Frank LaMere, who spoke at the BHECN Native American Ambassadors event this past October.

Two documentaries, "The Battle for Whiteclay" and "Sober Indian Dangerous Indian," chronicle much of LaMere's work leading up to the great civil rights win for the Oglala Sioux and all of Indian Country.

LaMere's mantra in dealing with issues was, "Nothing changes unless someone is made to feel uncomfortable! Nothing changes unless we make ourselves uncomfortable!"

"Frank led with his heart," said Lisa Spellman, a communications specialist in the UNMC Department of Public Relations, member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and close friend of LaMere.

"Everything he did was done with compassion and concern for the vulnerable, the marginalized and broken. Frank didn't just speak out against injustice — he marched against it and did not heed the wounds; he cried with the hurting and did not count the cost; he gave every bit of himself to the point of exhaustion and did not seek reward.

"He knew how to love deeply and his words and actions reflected that love. In his words, he 'simply did the best he could,' and even that is more than most. I will miss him dearly."

LaMere was presented with numerous awards and citations over decades of service, including:

• Peacemaker of the Year Award by the Nebraskans for Peace;
• War Eagle Human Rights Award from the Sioux City Human Rights Commission;
• FDR Award from the Nebraska Democratic Party;
• Good Apple Award from the Nebraska Appleseed Center; and
• Member of the Year from the National Indian Child Welfare Association.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and three children, and preceded in death by his daughter, Lexie Wakan LaMere.