Richard Oakes

Who was Richard Oakes?

Richard Oakes was a Mohawk Native American activist who promoted the fundamental idea that Native peoples have a right to sovereignty, justice, respect and control over their own destinies. His legacy reflects the struggles of Native peoples and all people to maintain their land, identity, and lifeways.

Richard Oakes was born on May 22, 1942 in Akwesane, New York. He spent most of his childhood fishing and planting beans like many of his previous ancestors. Oakes started working at a local dock area, St. Lawrence Seaway, but unfortunately was laid off at the age of sixteen. It was then that Oakes decided to enter another profession. Oakes started working as a high steelworker, which was a job that entailed a great deal of traveling. Through his travels, Oakes reached San Francisco in the early 1960s. After arriving at San Francisco, he decided to enroll himself in college at San Francisco State University. While studying at SFSU, Oakes worked as a bartender at the Mission District of San Francisco which brought him in contact with the local Indian communities.