Hank Adams, The 'Most Important Indian,' Dies At 77

Native American civil rights advocate Hank Adams died at the age of 77 this week.

Once referred to as the "most important Indian" by Native American rights advocate and author Vine Deloria Jr., Adams was central to the fight to uphold tribal treaty rights during the 1960s and 1970s.

"An indispensable leader, and essential follower and a brilliant strategist, he shaped more Native American civil, human and treaty rights policies than most people even know are important or why," the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission said in its announcement of Adams' death.

Adams was a Assiniboine-Sioux and a member of the Franks Landing Indian Community. He died at St. Peter's hospital in Olympia, Wash. on Dec. 21.