Pete Blacksmith Jr.

Pete Blacksmith Jr. was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, on February 7, 1968. Pete was featured in the documentary, Sober Indian | Dangerous Indian, where he shared his struggle with addiction on the streets of Whiteclay, Nebraska.

Pete spoke out against those federal and tribal officials who failed to perform their responsibilities. He called on tribal families, particularly fathers, to help their communities. Pete’s willingness to share his story was a critical part of the film and impacted thousands who watched the documentary throughout the United States.

Pete would not live to see Whiteclay’s beer stores closed. He died from liver disease on January 8, 2016, nearly 15 months before the stores’ closures. But Pete played an important role in the closing of those beer stores. He died an empowered Indian.