Lincoln community reflects on life of civil rights activist Frank LaMere

Native American and civil rights activist Frank LaMere died Sunday night after a battle with cancer.

Friends and family say LaMere was never afraid to change the status quo.

They say he’ll be remembered as a man of great passion, who was committed to making the world a better place for all people.

Lamere, of the Winnebago tribe, had recently undergone surgery for bile duct cancer.

He was instrumental in activism throughout Nebraska, leading the fight against beer sales in Whiteclay, and using his voice to speak out against the in–custody death of a native American man in Omaha.

“He was a very compassionate, loving man, that cared for everyone, and I mean everyone. It’s a huge loss, because he was always the voice of reason. When his activism worked, it gets heated, there are disagreements, but he’s the voice of reason, that hey, stay focused on what matters,” said Mechelle Skywalker, Chair of the Native Caucus of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

LaMere was known as an eloquent public speaker who was extremely resilient.

He was dedicated to his principles, helping to inspire young Native Americans like Skywalker, who met LaMere when she was in high school at Lincoln High.

She says LaMere inspired her to combat some of the lazy stereotypes about native people commonly seen in the media.

“Frank wanted to prove that wrong. He wanted to prove that you can be whatever you want as a native American. Native Americans are beautiful, Native Americans are smart and they’re strong and that’s why he took that leadership with the democratic party, because he wanted Native Americans to get involved and to run for office,” said Skywalker.

One of LaMere’s greatest triumph’s happened in 2017, when four beer only liquor stores in Whiteclay were ordered to be shut down.

Sobriety has long been a part of LaMere’s movement among natives.

Dennis Carlson worked alongside LaMere in Whiteclay.

He says LaMere was one of a kind. There will never be another like him.

“One thing Frank often said was that the only way you make social progress, make social change, is that you make yourself uncomfortable, and you make other people uncomfortable,” said Carlson.

The people who knew LaMere best say they will miss fighting for justice along side him.

They say there is still a lot of work to be done.

And LaMere will be with them every step of the way.

“He still wants us to fight for justice. There are still a lot of injustices that we need to fight. The battle is not over yet, but Frank LaMere’s spirit will always be with us,” said Skywalker.

Frank LaMere will be missed by many in our community.

There will be a vigil held Monday night at the Lincoln Indian Center at 7 o’clock.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and pay their respects.