Dennis Banks, a born Anishinaabe and also known as Nowa Cumig, was born on 12th April 1937 in Leech Lake, northern Minnesota. He co-founded and established the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 along with Clyde Howard Bellecourt, Herb Powless, Eddie Benton Banai and others. Along with a Native American leader he is also a teacher, lecturer, activist and author.