Richard Oakes honored in Google Doodle on his 75th Birthday

Google Doodle has honored the Native American civil rights activist Richard Oakes on his 75th Birthday. He is known for his effort for the independence and rights of the Native Americans in the early 1960s and 70s.

 

The Google Doodle has placed the image of Oakes with the background of the Akwesasne reservation, Pit River, and Alcatraz Island. These three locations have the most important meaning in his life.

Today's #GoogleDoodle is for Mohawk warrior Richard Oakes. #Alcatraz https://t.co/jXoWFrMQ9q

— ndnviewpoint (@mahtowin1) May 22, 2017

 

Born in Akwesasne, Oakes is known for his guidance on the occupation on the Alcatraz prison and Pit River resistance. He even took over the  Alcatraz Island for about 19 months. He didn't succeed, however, his activities put the treatment of Native Americans by the US government in the spotlight.

Oakes was a s sa s sinated at the age of 30 in 1972. He was shot and killed by Michael Morgan as a result of an argument with a California YMCA leader.