City of Fargo Native American Commission Stands Up for Leonard Peltier

March 11, 2010


City of Fargo
Native American Commission
200 North 3rd Street
Fargo, ND 58102


Eric Holder, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Re: U.S. v. L. Peltier, 585 F.2d 314 (8th Cir. 1978)

Dear Attorney General Holder:

The mission of the City of Fargo's Native American Commission is "to work together to strengthen the Native American community in order to promote understanding, recognition and respect for Native American cultures and enrich the whole community."

The City of Fargo, North Dakota's Native American Commission (NAC) has been requested to comment on a request for a review of the case of Leonard Peltier by a community organization. Peltier is a convicted felon, who is also a tribal member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, located on the reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota. The case is titled U.S. v. Peltier, 585 F.2d 314 (8th Cir. 1978).

Upon review of the request and the history of the case, the Native American Commissioners in the City of Fargo would like to request that you review Mr. Peltier's case and suggest or request the case go under review by the appropriate federal authorities, whether it be the Federal Courts or the authorities, and suggest appropriate action to be taken on the case should it warrant a proper re-visiting.

The NAC is comprised of appointed individuals (appointed by the Fargo City Commission) who work or reside in the City of Fargo, North Dakota. Enclosed are the minutes from the January 14, 2010 meeting where the decision to move forward with this request was approved.

Thank you for your response to this request.

Sincerely,



Sandra Berlin, Chairperson