"When asked "Didn't you used to be Vine Deloria Jr.?" Deloria, the noted Native American scholar, once quipped, "I say I gave that up because it didn't pay."

It was vintage Deloria, using humor to make a point. The writer and University of Colorado history professor, who died Sunday at age 72, changed how America views Indians. His 1969 book, "Custer Died for Your Sins" challenged the usual version of U.S. history by showing the Indian side of the story and explaining Indian tribes as living cultures, not museum relics. He changed not only what non-Indians thought about Indians, but also how Indians saw themselves. More than a book, "Custer" was a manifesto for a new generation of American Indian leaders."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Vine Deloria Jr., 1933-2005 (The Denver Post 11/16)

Indian Country Today Articles from January 10, 2005:
Wilma Mankiller: An original thinker with a warrior's spirit
Suzan Shown Harjo: Selective memories of Vine Deloria Jr.
Faith Spotted Eagle: Deksi (Uncle) Vine
Charlie Wilkins: Visionary thinker and wordsmith par excellence
Hank Adams: A Vine Deloria Jr. collaboration: The first decade
John Mohawk: Vine Deloria Jr.'s unfolding legacy
Philip Deloria: Tales of a remarkable father
Norbert Hill: A hero to many

Related Stories:
Vine DeLoria: Spoke for a nation of Natives (11/15)
Deloria hailed as 'visionary' for role in Indian affairs (03/11)
Jodi Rave: Deloria unknown because he's Indian (01/24)
Vine Deloria is ICT's American Indian Visionary (01/10)
Column: Vine Deloria refuses honorary degree (05/25)