Biography
Family
Frank LaMere was born March 1st, 1950 as a member of the Winnebago Tribe in South Sioux City, Nebraska. He passed away on June 13, 2019 from bile duct cancer.
Frank LaMere’s family included his wife Cynthia LaMere and his four children, Manape, Jennifer, Hazen, and Lexie. Unfortunately, Lexie passed away from leukemia in 2014 at the age of 21. At 19, she led efforts to convince Creighton University to divest from its Budweiser sponsorships in protest against White Clay’s beer sales. Additionally, she served as the elected secretary of the Dakota County Democratic party. A scholarship was established at Central Oklahoma University in Lexie’s name. The scholarship supports a recipient dedicated to Native American students dedicated to promoting social justice. Furthermore, her former high school, Bishop Heelan, has a scholarship in her name. In 2016, Frank LaMere named a resolution prohibiting the four liquor stores in White Clay from retaining their liquor licenses after Lexie.
Awards and Honors
LaMere was won numerous awards and honors, including
- Peacemaker of the Year Award by the Nebraskans for Peace in 2001
- War Eagle Human Rights Award from the Sioux City Human Rights Commission in 2011
- This is an annual award present to individuals or groups who have promoted dignity, freedom, and justice in the Siouxland area.
- FDR Award from the Nebraska Democratic Party in 2017
- Nominees personify the spirit of the Nebraska Democratic Party, and the award is given to an individual who is tireless in supporting campaigns.
- Good Apple Award from the Nebraska Appleseed Center
- Frank Lamere was the 2015 Jim Wolf Equal Justice Award honoree
- This award recognized a Nebraskan who has made significant contributions to justice for all throughout his career
- Member of the Year from the National Indian Child Welfare Association.
- He received an honorary doctorate from Nebraska Wesleyan University
- For his work to end the sale of liquor in Whiteclay and his efforts to protect children