# Floyd Westerman > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Floyd_Westerman > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Floyd_Westerman.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Westerman > Source revision: 1356682731 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Actor and political activist (1936–2007) Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman Kanghi Duta Westerman aka Kanghi Duta Born Floyd Westerman (1936-08-17)August 17, 1936 Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, South Dakota, U.S. Died December 13, 2007(2007-12-13) (aged 71) Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Resting place Saint Matthew's Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, South Dakota, U.S. Occupations Actor artist musician Years active 1988–2007 Political party Independent Spouse Rosie Westerman Children 5 **Floyd Westerman** (August 17, 1936 – December 13, 2007) was a [Sisseton Dakota](/source/Sisseton_Wahpeton_Oyate) musician, political activist, and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life he became an actor, usually depicting Native American elders in American films and television. He is also credited as **Floyd Red Crow Westerman**.[1] As a political activist, he spoke and marched for Native American causes. ## Early life He was born Floyd Westerman on the [Lake Traverse Indian Reservation](/source/Lake_Traverse_Indian_Reservation), home of the [Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate](/source/Sisseton_Wahpeton_Oyate), a federally recognized tribe that is one of the sub-tribes of the Eastern Dakota section of the [Great Sioux Nation](/source/Great_Sioux_Nation), located in the U.S. state of [South Dakota](/source/South_Dakota).[2][3] His [Indigenous](/source/Indigenous_language) name *Kanghi Duta* means "Red Crow" in the [Dakota language](/source/Dakota_language) (which is one of the three related [Siouan languages](/source/Siouan_languages) of the [Great Plains](/source/Great_Plains)).[4] At the age of 10, Westerman was sent to the Wahpeton Boarding School, where he first met [Dennis Banks](/source/Dennis_Banks) (who as an adult became a leader of the [American Indian Movement](/source/American_Indian_Movement)). There Westerman and the other children were forced to cut their traditionally long hair and forbidden to speak their native languages. This experience would profoundly impact Westerman's development and entire life. As an adult, he reclaimed his heritage and became an outspoken advocate for Indigenous cultural preservation.[5] Westerman graduated from [Northern State University](/source/Northern_State_University) with a B.A. degree in secondary education. He served two years in the [U.S. Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps), before beginning his career as a country singer.[3] ## Career Before entering films and television, Westerman had established a solid reputation as a [country-western music singer](/source/Country_music). In his songwriting he explored and critiqued the European influences on Native American communities. In addition to several solo recordings, Westerman collaborated with [Jackson Browne](/source/Jackson_Browne), [Willie Nelson](/source/Willie_Nelson), [Bonnie Raitt](/source/Bonnie_Raitt), [Harry Belafonte](/source/Harry_Belafonte),[3] [Joni Mitchell](/source/Joni_Mitchell), [Kris Kristofferson](/source/Kris_Kristofferson), and [Buffy Sainte-Marie](/source/Buffy_Sainte-Marie). In the 1990s, he toured with [Sting](/source/Sting_(musician)) to raise funds to preserve the endangered [rain forests](/source/Rainforest).[3] After years performing as a singer, Westerman became interested in acting. His film debut was in *[Renegades](/source/Renegades_(1989_film))* (1989), in which he played "Red Crow", the [Lakota](/source/Lakota_people) Sioux father of Hank Storm, played by [Lou Diamond Phillips](/source/Lou_Diamond_Phillips). Additional film roles include "Chief Ten Bears" in *[Dances with Wolves](/source/Dances_with_Wolves)* (1990), and the "shaman" for the singer [Jim Morrison](/source/Jim_Morrison) in [Oliver Stone](/source/Oliver_Stone)'s *[The Doors](/source/The_Doors_(film))* (1991).[3] Westerman appeared as Standing Elk, alongside his long-time friend [Max Gail](/source/Max_Gail), in the family film, *[Tillamook Treasure](/source/Tillamook_Treasure)* (2006). He appeared in *[Hidalgo](/source/Hidalgo_(film))* (2004), as Chief Eagle Horn in [Buffalo Bill](/source/Buffalo_Bill)'s circus. In September 2007, Westerman finished work for the film *[Swing Vote](/source/Swing_Vote_(2008_film))* (2008).[3] Television roles included playing "George" on [Dharma & Greg](/source/Dharma_%26_Greg), "Uncle Ray" on *[Walker, Texas Ranger](/source/Walker%2C_Texas_Ranger)* (in the pilot and first regular seasons),[3] "One Who Waits" on *[Northern Exposure](/source/Northern_Exposure)*, and multiple appearances as "[Albert Hosteen](/source/List_of_minor_The_X-Files_characters#Albert_Hosteen)" on *[The X-Files](/source/The_X-Files)*.[3] Westerman also did numerous Public Service Announcements for television including for the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. ## Death Westerman died from complications of [leukemia](/source/Leukemia) at [Cedars-Sinai Medical Center](/source/Cedars-Sinai_Medical_Center) in Los Angeles on December 13, 2007.[2][6] He was survived by his wife Rosie, four daughters, and a son. ## Selected filmography - *[Powwow Highway](/source/Powwow_Highway)* (1989) - CB Radio Voice (voice) - *[Renegades](/source/Renegades_(1989_film))* (1989) - Red Crow - *[Dances with Wolves](/source/Dances_with_Wolves)* (1990) - Ten Bears - *The Making of 'Dances with Wolves'* (1990) - TV Short documentary - Himself - *[Son of the Morning Star](/source/Son_of_the_Morning_Star_(film))* (1991, TV Mini-Series) - Sitting Bull - *[The Doors](/source/The_Doors_(film))* (1991) - Shaman - *[Clearcut](/source/Clearcut_(film))* (1991) - Wilf - *The Broken Chain* (1993, TV Movie) - Tribe Elder - *[Jonathan of the Bears](/source/Jonathan_of_the_Bears)* (1994) - Chief Tawanka - *[Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee](/source/Lakota_Woman%3A_Siege_at_Wounded_Knee)* (1994, TV Movie) - Mary's grandfather - *[500 Nations](/source/500_Nations)* (1995, TV Mini-Series) - (voice) - *[Buffalo Girls](/source/Buffalo_Girls)* (1995, TV Mini-Series) - No Ears - *[Dusting Cliff 7](/source/Last_Assassins)* (1997) - Indian Bob - *[The Brave](/source/The_Brave_(film))* (1997) - Papa - *[Naturally Native](/source/Naturally_Native)* (1998) - Chairman Pico - *[Grey Owl](/source/Grey_Owl_(film))* (1999) - Pow Wow Chief - *Graduation Night* (2003) - Old Man - *[Atlantis: Milo's Return](/source/Atlantis%3A_Milo's_Return)* (2003) - Chakashi (voice) - *[Dreamkeeper](/source/Dreamkeeper)* (2003, TV Movie) - Iron Spoon - *[Hidalgo](/source/Hidalgo_(film))* (2004) - Chief Eagle Horn - *[Tillamook Treasure](/source/Tillamook_Treasure)* (2006) - Standing Elk - *[Comanche Moon](/source/Comanche_Moon_(TV_miniseries))* (2008, TV Mini-Series) - First Old Comanche - *[Swing Vote](/source/Swing_Vote_(2008_film))* (2008) - Chief Running Bear (final film role) ## Selected television appearances - *[MacGyver](/source/MacGyver_(1985_TV_series))* (1988, TV series) - Two Eagles - *[Captain Planet and the Planeteers](/source/Captain_Planet_and_the_Planeteers)* (1990, TV series) - Indian Chief (voice) - *[L.A. Law](/source/L.A._Law)* (1991, TV series) - Judge William Gainser - *[Northern Exposure](/source/Northern_Exposure)* (1991-1993, TV series) - One-Who-Waits - *[Murder, She Wrote](/source/Murder%2C_She_Wrote)* (1992, TV series) - Uncle Ashie Nakai - *[Walker, Texas Ranger](/source/Walker%2C_Texas_Ranger)* (1993-1994, TV series) - Uncle Ray Firewalker; 26 episodes - *[500 Nations](/source/500_Nations)* (1995, TV Mini-Series) (voice) - *[Roseanne](/source/Roseanne_(TV_series))* (1995, TV series) - Floyd - *[The X-Files](/source/The_X-Files)* (1995-1999, TV series) - Albert Hosteen - *[The Pretender](/source/The_Pretender_(TV_series))* (1997, TV series) - Ernie Two Feathers - *[Baywatch Nights](/source/Baywatch_Nights)* (1997, TV series) - Indian Guide Wahote - *[Poltergeist: The Legacy](/source/Poltergeist%3A_The_Legacy)* (1997, TV series) - Ezekial - *[Millennium](/source/Millennium_(TV_series))* (1997, TV series) - Old Indian - *[Dharma & Greg](/source/Dharma_%26_Greg)* (1997-2001, TV series) - George Littlefox - *[Judging Amy](/source/Judging_Amy)* (2001, TV series) - Mr. Wheeler ## Discography - *Custer Died for Your Sins* (1969) - *Indian Country* (1970) - *Custer Died for Your Sins* (re-recording; 1982) - *The Land is Your Mother* (1984) - *A Tribute to Johnny Cash* (2006) ## See also [Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Song artist page](https://web.archive.org/web/20011105073526/http://www.pbs.org/americanrootsmusic/pbs_arm_saa_floydwesterman.html) from [PBS](/source/PBS) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Martin_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Martin_2-1) Martin, Douglas (December 18, 2017). ["Floyd Red Crow Westerman, 71, an Actor, Is Dead"](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/arts/18westerman.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. p. C11. Retrieved August 1, 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-jablon_3-7) Robert Jablon (December 16, 2007). ["Floyd Red Crow Westerman, 71; Performer, activist"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501806.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Retrieved December 24, 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Lockard, Vicki; Barry, Paul (June 3, 2000). ["Indian Celebrity of the Year"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060423033135/http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues00/Co06032000/CO_06032000_Westerman.htm). *Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America*. Paul C. Barry. Archived from the original on April 23, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Ford, Andréa (December 27, 2007). ["Milestones – Died: Floyd (Red Crow) Westerman"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071227070443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1697428,00.html). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1697428,00.html) on December 27, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Carlson, Michael (December 24, 2007). ["Floyd Red Crow Westerman"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/dec/24/usa.film). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved August 1, 2018. ## Further reading - ["American Indian activist, actor appeared in 'Dances With Wolves'"](http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-westerman15dec15,1,6636757.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. Associated Press. December 15, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2016. ## External links - [Official website](http://www.floydwesterman.com/) - [Floyd Westerman](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23482297) at [Find a Grave](/source/Find_a_Grave) - [Floyd Red Crow Westerman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922671/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [In Memoriam: Floyd Red Crow Westerman](http://www.tillamooktreasure.com/Floyd_Red_Crow_Westerman.shtml) at TillamookTreasure.com - [Audio profile](http://tjwestern.com/Audio/Floyd%20Westerman%20Report%201st%20person%20radio.mp3) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131207074855/http://tjwestern.com/Audio/Floyd%20Westerman%20Report%201st%20person%20radio.mp3) December 7, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) at Tjwestern.com v t e American Indian Movement Background Native Americans in the United States Indian termination policy Rainbow Coalition Red Power movement Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) Events The Longest Walk Mount Rushmore Occupation Occupation of Alcatraz Trail of Broken Treaties Bureau of Indian Affairs building takeover Wounded Knee Occupation Incident at Oglala Statue of Christopher Columbus toppling Related Bringing the Circle Together Little Earth National Council on Indian Opportunity Native American Day Red Power movement Republic of Lakotah Activist groups American Indian Movement of Colorado International Indian Treaty Council Mohawk Warrior Society National Amerindianist American Redman's Party Activists Aaron Carapella Anna Mae Aquash Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance Carter Camp Clyde Bellecourt Dennis Banks Edgar Bear Runner Floyd Westerman Janet McCloud Jimmie Durham John Trudell Leonard Peltier Lorelei DeCora Means Mary Brave Bird Minnie Two Shoes Pura Fé Russell Means Philip Yenyo Robert Robideau Ray Robinson Robert Roche Richard Two Elk Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance Sacheen Littlefeather Sundance Raymond Yellow Thunder Tom B.K. Goldtooth Vernon Bellecourt Ward Churchill Wesley Bad Heart Bull Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Spain Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie Other SNAC Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Floyd Westerman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Westerman) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Westerman?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.