Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous rights activist who spent 50 years in federal prison for the killings of two FBI agents in the 1970s, is now the subject of a new documentary that explores his life behind bars and his lifelong devotion to art. Peltier, now free after a commutation from former President Joe Biden, was released in 2025 at age 80, decades after he entered prison at 32, according to CBS News Minnesota.
The documentary, titled “The Making of America,” is part of a Juneteenth film series and focuses on Peltier’s passion for painting and drawing, a practice he turned to during his five decades of incarceration.
Conviction And Decades Behind Bars
Peltier, who is from the Turtle Lake Reservation in North Dakota, was convicted of killing two FBI agents in the 1970s. He has maintained his innocence throughout his time in prison and since his release, according to CBS News Minnesota.
Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence before leaving office, paving the way for his release in 2025. The move drew criticism from a former FBI director, who called the decision an “affront to justice,” according to the outlet.
Release And Reaction
Peltier’s release sparked celebration among supporters. Speaking to the crowd gathered for his release, Peltier said, “I am 80 years old now, I got in when I was 32,” according to CBS News Minnesota.
The remark underscored the scope of his incarceration, which spanned nearly half a century and most of his adult life.
Finding Purpose Through Art
During his decades in prison, Peltier turned to painting and art as a way to cope with isolation. He told WCCO, “I mean, you know, just sitting there looking at a wall was very boring and stressful. I had to fight to be able to get a pencil and paper. So I was hungry for, for something to keep my mind active.”
That practice became central to his identity in prison and is now the focus of the new documentary highlighting his creative work.
Identity And Advocacy
Peltier has spoken about the role his Native identity played in sustaining him. He told WCCO, “I’ve been very proud since I was a little kid, a little child, to be Native. I am still very extremely proud of it. I just loved being a Native.”
He also voiced continued advocacy for Indigenous rights, telling the outlet, “I want total freedom for our nations.”
What’s Next
The documentary “The Making of America” is being featured as part of a Juneteenth film series, continuing to bring attention to Peltier’s artwork and his decades-long case. For readers tracking other streaming and entertainment releases, Total Apex Entertainment’s roundup of October streaming picks covers additional titles arriving this month.
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