Native American Actvist Frank LaMere Dies at Age 69

June 17, 2019, 2:50 p.m. ·

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A Native American activist, who was heavily involved with the events of Whiteclay, Nebraska, has died. 69-year-old Frank LaMere died Sunday night. The Winnebago Tribe member had bile duct cancer.


Along with others, LaMere was instrumental in the campaign against alcohols sales in Whiteclay, which ceased in April 2017. In August 2017, LaMere spoke outside the Nebraska Supreme Court about what he had witnessed during the trials of Whiteclay.

“I’m gonna come away from this day with that feeling that I was a part of something that was very historic," LaMere said. "Someday, in a year, 10 years, in 20 years from now, we’re going to look back and we’re going to remember ‘I was there and I came there to take that step to tell all of Nebraska we’re better than this.’”

The South Sioux City resident was also the associate chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and fought for other Native American civil rights.

Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said in a statement Monday, “I am saddened by the loss of our friend Frank LaMere. His passion for Native American issues, his love of politics, and his desire to help those most in need showed through in his extraordinary life."