Activists who have called for Leonard Peltier's release for nearly half a century welcomed him home Wednesday.

Native American activist Leonard Peltier was defiant toward the government but grateful to his family and supporters as they welcomed him home to North Dakota, one day after his release from a Florida prison where he had been serving a life sentence in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

The Chippewa activist was greeted by more than 100 supporters and family members who gathered at the border of the Turtle Mountain Reservation

Leonard Peltier is on his return journey to Turtle Mountain. The Forum has a news team on site to document his return to North Dakota after 49 years in prison.

“Leonard Peltier is free!” Nick Tilsen, founder and chief executive at NDN Collective, said in the statement. “He never gave up fighting for his freedom so we never gave up fighting for him. Today our elder Leonard Peltier walks into the open arms of his people.”

Tuesday is a historic day in the Native American community after well-known Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier​ was released from a Florida prison to serve out his sentence at home in North Dakota.

Leonard Peltier spoke to supporters Wednesday afternoon at the Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt, a day after his release from federal prison.

It's been 49 years straight in prison for something I didn't do,” Leonard Peltier said, close to tears. “I didn't think I was going to make it.”