“My case at this point is not so much about me as it is about the illegal and immoral policies they are practicing against our people. And at this point in history, although these practices were mostly carried out first on my people, they have now spread to all people, especially the poor. Or anyone who does not have the political or monetary power to fight their system and bring public attention to the transgressions committed against those who do not have the means to defend themselves.” Leonard Peltier July 4 Statement Struggle: If we cannot respect other forms of human life, how can we respect the intricacies of a complete planetary ecosystem? It’s not just about the poor who don’t have the financial support to be able to express themselves; it is also the voiceless members of all kinds who lack defense. Environment, activism and struggle. The first struggle is the one I face in writing this article, because I am not directly related to the struggle and difficulties faced by the American Indians. Yet, I find myself writing on the theme of a Native American model. There is always a question of motivation behind the writer in these situations. Okay, I question the same type of writers myself. Even the choice of the descriptive label of the culture is a random subject. Regardless of culture, label, and race, Leonard Peltier is one of the strongest positive role models in my growth into adulthood. As I began to re-research his story, I began to struggle. Contemporary views of non-Indian writers writing on Indian themes are not always positive. As I continued to expand on the article about the strong influence Peltier had on my views and on myself today, I recalled my indoctrination about the imbalances that exist within the United States..... . middle of paper ...... election campaign to protect ancient forests. They invited me to join them, and for the next two years we successfully fought to reverse the sale of the remaining acres of a large-scale ancient ecosystem. My life's path would have taken a radically different course without the early and continuing influence of the life and words of Leonard Peltier. This article would not have challenged me to try to present a clear example of the problems shared by all people on Earth. These problems are inter-representative. These are all symptoms of the same disease, poverty. The lack of resources, whether monetary for legal or political “defense”, lack of “voice”, the imbalance is shared by all of nature. Footnote: The death of Joseph Stuntz Killsright remains uninvestigated, like those of hundreds of others. Leonard Peltier remains in prison.