Wahacanka Peltier walked on in Washington, D.C.

Published December 9, 2016

WASHINGTON — Wahacanka Peltier, the youngest child of imprisoned Leonard Peltier, walked on while on a trip to the nation’s capital where hundreds are gathering this weekend in a prayer vigil to free his father. Wahacanka Peltier was 41.

Since his father has been imprisoned for the past 41 years, Wahacanka never saw or was able to visit his father outside of a prison.

“OH, NO! MY SON HAS DIED. MY BABY HAS DIED,” LEONARD PELTIER SAID UPON HEARING THE TRAGIC NEWS.

He had been sick for several months with kidney and had required dialysis for four per day, three days a week. His wife and other members of family asked him not to make the trip to Washington, D.C. He was determined to go there to help with the vigil and to seek clemency for his father.

Wahacanka’s English name was Paul Shields-Peltier. He was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Wahacanka Peltier lived the very hard life that is life on the Pine Ridge, but in recent years he joined a company that was building environmentally sustainable housing for the people of the reservation and it was something he loved to do because it knew he was helping his people, according to his brother, Chauncey Peltier.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Two Lance-Peltier; four daughters and one son; his mother, Audrey Shields, sisters and brothers, among other family members and friends.

The family is seeking to raise funds for funeral expenses through a GoFund Me account. CLICK HERE to assist.