Clyde Bellecourt, also known by his Ojibwe name Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun, meaning "Thunder Before the Storm," was a prominent figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM). Born on May 8, 1936, on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota, Clyde Bellecourt emerged as a powerful voice for Native American rights and self-determination. As a cofounder of AIM in 1968, he served as the organization’s first chairman and remained deeply involved in its activities throughout his life. Beyond AIM, Bellecourt dedicated himself to combating racism in sports and media through the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media, and he fostered cultural understanding through Heart of the Earth, Inc., an Interpretive Center in Minneapolis.
Early Life and Influences:
Clyde Bellecourt’s origins were rooted in the White Earth Indian Reservation, home to the largest and poorest of Minnesota’s Ojibwe bands. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Charles and Angeline Bellecourt. His childhood on the reservation was shaped by the realities of poverty, cultural assimilation pressures, and the lingering effects of historical injustices against Native Americans.
Early in life, Bellecourt demonstrated a rebellious spirit, challenging authority figures he perceived as disrespectful to his family and community. He recalled hearing his parents speaking in hushed tones in a language he didn’t understand, a private language that symbolized a world he was both connected to and excluded from. When he inquired about their conversations, they encouraged him to focus on his education, hinting at the importance of navigating the dominant culture while preserving their own.
His formal education began at a reservation mission school run by Benedictine nuns. These early experiences instilled in him a critical awareness of the cultural and social disparities between the Native American community and the broader American society. After his family moved to Minneapolis, Bellecourt’s struggles continued. He faced disciplinary issues in school, eventually leading to more serious charges and a sentence to the adult correctional facility in St. Cloud.
Transformation in Prison:
Clyde Bellecourt’s life took a significant turn during his incarceration. Arrested for a series of offenses, including burglary and robbery, he was eventually transferred to Stillwater Prison on his 25th birthday. It was within the confines of Stillwater that he encountered Eddie Benton Banai, a fellow Ojibwe inmate who recognized Bellecourt’s leadership potential.
Bellecourt recounted that while in solitary confinement for a disciplinary infraction, he heard someone singing and calling his name outside his cell. Peering through the peep-hole, he saw Eddie Benton Banai, who sought to enlist Bellecourt’s help in forming an Indian cultural group within the prison.
After negotiating with his caseworker, Donahue, Bellecourt agreed to assist, stipulating that he be moved from solitary confinement to the Honors Dormitory, allowed to work in the power plant, and given the opportunity to complete his Boiler Engineer License.
In the weeks that followed, Bellecourt gathered 82 of the 128 Native American inmates at Stillwater for the first meeting of the Indian American Folklore Group. This initiative became a model for cultural revitalization within prisons across the country.
The Folklore Group met weekly, studying History of the Ojibwe Nation by William Whipple Warren, guided by Banai as their instructor. They secretly crafted a drum and began holding powwows, sometimes inviting family members and visitors to participate. For many of the men, this was their first exposure to their tribal history, culture, and spirituality. Bellecourt’s involvement in the group profoundly impacted his life, solidifying his commitment to helping Native Americans heal through cultural and spiritual reconnection. Upon his release in 1964, he returned to Minneapolis with a renewed sense of purpose.
The American Indian Movement (AIM):
In July 1968, Clyde Bellecourt joined forces with Dennis Banks, Herb Powless, and Eddie Benton Banai to found the American Indian Movement (AIM) in Minneapolis. He was elected as the group’s first chairman. The organization emerged as a response to the systemic discrimination, poverty, and police brutality faced by Native Americans in urban areas. AIM initially focused on monitoring arrests of Native Americans by the local police, ensuring that their civil rights were protected and that they were treated with dignity and respect.
As AIM grew, its focus expanded to encompass a broader range of issues, including treaty rights, land rights, cultural preservation, and self-determination. The movement employed a variety of tactics, including protests, demonstrations, legal challenges, and community organizing, to raise awareness and advocate for change.
Activism and Advocacy:
In 1972, Bellecourt and other AIM leaders organized a peaceful march on Washington D.C. to demand legislative reforms, including the removal of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) from the Department of the Interior. They advocated for the establishment of a Federal Indian Commission reporting directly to the president, ensuring that Native American interests were considered in all aspects of government policy.
The marchers initially planned a peaceful tour of Washington D.C. landmarks and meetings with government officials to present their "20 points," a list of grievances and demands. However, the situation escalated when activists stormed and occupied the BIA Headquarters, demanding an end to corruption and mismanagement. Bellecourt and other AIM leaders negotiated with the federal government during the occupation.
In 1973, AIM activists were invited to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota by a local civil rights organization to address issues of discrimination and violence against Lakota people in border towns. The occupation of Wounded Knee, a site of historical significance due to the 1890 massacre of Lakota people, became a pivotal moment in AIM’s history. Protesting discrimination, the failed impeachment of the elected tribal chairman, Richard Wilson, and poor living conditions on the reservation, AIM activists occupied the town.
The occupation drew a heavy response from federal law enforcement, including FBI agents and U.S. Marshals. Bellecourt served as a negotiator during the standoff. He, Russell Means, and Carter Camp eventually met with a representative of the U.S. President, negotiating an audit of Wilson’s management of tribal finances and an investigation into abuses by his private militia, the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs).
Following the Wounded Knee occupation, Bellecourt and Means were arrested in Pierre, South Dakota, and faced a restraining order prohibiting them from approaching Wounded Knee. After being released on bond, Bellecourt embarked on a fundraising tour across the United States to support the activists still occupying Wounded Knee.
After the occupation ended, Bellecourt hosted seminars and public appearances, emphasizing the importance of education and non-violent strategies for achieving AIM’s goals. He maintained that Christianity, the Office of Education, and the Federal Government were enemies to Indians.
Later Years and Continued Involvement:
Despite facing personal challenges and controversies, including a 1985 conviction on drug charges, Clyde Bellecourt remained dedicated to his activism. He continued to direct national and international AIM activities, working to combat racism in sports and media and promoting cultural understanding through Heart of the Earth, Inc.
Heart of the Earth, Inc., located near AIM’s former school site in Minneapolis, serves as an interpretive center and community resource. Bellecourt also continued to support AIM Patrol, an organization providing security for the Minneapolis Indian community.
In 2005, the Clyde H. Bellecourt Scholarship Fund was established, awarding scholarships to American Indian students pursuing studies in Education, American Indian Studies, or Indigenous Languages. Heart of the Earth also sponsors the Yamamoto Cup youth canoe race, the Red Road Pow Wow, and the Gathering of the Sacred Pipe Sundance and Youth and Elders Conference.
Bellecourt founded the Heart of the Earth Survival School, Inc. in 1972, which operated as a pre-school to grade 12 school, later adding adult learning and prison programs. The school’s charter was revoked in 2008 due to financial irregularities. Other organizations founded by Bellecourt include the Elaine M. Stately Peacemaker Center for Indian youth, the Legal Rights Center, MIGIZI Communications, Inc., the Native American Community Clinic, Women of Nations Eagle Nest Shelter, and Board of American Indian OIC.
Clyde Bellecourt’s life was marked by both triumphs and tribulations. As a cofounder of AIM, he played a pivotal role in raising awareness of Native American issues and advocating for social justice. His legacy continues to inspire activists and community leaders working to advance the rights and well-being of Native Americans. The impact of Clyde Bellecourt on the American Indian community is undeniable.