On December 8, 2015, the world lost a powerful voice, a dedicated advocate, and a multifaceted artist. John Trudell, a name synonymous with Native American activism, spoken word poetry, and compelling screen presence, passed away at the age of 69, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Santa Clara County, California, after a courageous battle with cancer. His departure marked the end of a life lived passionately, a life dedicated to fighting for justice, preserving cultural identity, and expressing profound truths through art.
Born on February 15, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska, John Trudell‘s heritage was a tapestry woven from the threads of Santee Sioux and Mexican-Indian ancestry. His father was Santee Sioux, and his mother, Ricarda Almanza, was of Mexican-Indian descent. Tragedy struck early in his life with the passing of his mother when he was still a boy. Following this profound loss, he spent a portion of his childhood on the Santee Sioux Reservation, an experience that undoubtedly shaped his understanding of his cultural roots and the challenges faced by Native American communities.
His journey wasn’t a direct path to activism. Like many young men of his generation, Trudell served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. This experience, while perhaps initially conventional, would later become a catalyst for his deep questioning of authority and societal injustices. After his tour of duty, he pursued studies in radio and broadcasting at a community college in San Bernardino, California. It was here, amidst the burgeoning social and political consciousness of the late 1960s, that he found his calling, joining a group called the United Indians of All Tribes.
The year 1969 marked a turning point in Trudell’s life and the history of Native American activism. He joined a collective of American Indians, representing various tribes under the banner of the United Indians of All Tribes, in occupying Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. This audacious act of civil disobedience was a direct challenge to the United States government, a demand that the abandoned federal prison be returned to Native American ownership based on treaty rights.
Alcatraz Island, a symbol of confinement and isolation, became a beacon of hope and resistance under the occupation. John Trudell, with his articulate voice and unwavering conviction, quickly emerged as the group’s spokesperson. He became the voice of "Radio Free Alcatraz," a broadcast that disseminated the occupiers’ message far beyond the island’s shores. His powerful speeches at news conferences eloquently articulated the grievances of Native Americans, demanding recognition of their sovereignty, respect for their culture, and redress for historical injustices.
"If this is the land of the free," Trudell proclaimed during the Alcatraz occupation, encapsulating the core of his lifelong struggle, "we want to know why we don’t have the respect and dignity that all free men are accorded by other free men." This sentiment resonated deeply with Native Americans across the country and with those sympathetic to their cause. The occupation, though ultimately ended after 19 months with the removal of the remaining demonstrators by federal officers, served as a powerful catalyst for the burgeoning Native American rights movement.
Following Alcatraz, Trudell’s commitment to activism deepened. From 1973 to 1979, he served as the national chairman of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a period marked by intense confrontation and escalating tensions between Native American activists and the federal government. AIM, founded in 1968, advocated for Native American rights and self-determination, often employing direct action and confrontational tactics to achieve its goals.
Trudell’s leadership of AIM coincided with some of the most tumultuous events in the organization’s history. The 1973 Wounded Knee incident, in which Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation and AIM activists occupied the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota for 71 days in protest of tribal corruption and government policies, was a defining moment. The standoff with federal marshals and FBI agents underscored the deep-seated animosity and mistrust between Native Americans and the U.S. government.
The aftermath of Wounded Knee was fraught with legal battles and further violence. The 1975 confrontation in Oglala, South Dakota, which resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents, led to the prosecution of Bob Robideau, Darelle Butler, and Leonard Peltier. Trudell played a significant role in the defense of Robideau and Butler, holding community meetings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where their trial was held, and testifying on their behalf. Both men were acquitted. However, Leonard Peltier, who fled to Canada and was tried separately, was convicted and remains incarcerated, a case that continues to be a source of controversy and contention.
Trudell’s effectiveness as an advocate did not go unnoticed. His FBI dossier from this era labeled him "extremely eloquent and therefore extremely dangerous," a testament to his ability to inspire and mobilize others. Peter Matthiessen, in his acclaimed book "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse," described Trudell as "the most eloquent speaker in the Movement."
Even before his involvement with AIM, Trudell was actively challenging the status quo. In November 1972, he was among the leaders of a group that occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., demanding the enforcement of historical treaties that guaranteed Native American sovereignty over their land. These actions demonstrated his unwavering commitment to holding the government accountable for its promises and its treatment of Native Americans.
A particularly poignant and controversial moment in Trudell’s activism occurred in 1979 when he burned an American flag on the steps of the FBI building in Washington, D.C. This act, a powerful symbol of protest, was intended to convey his belief that the flag had been desecrated by the government’s behavior toward American Indians and other minorities. He argued that burning was the appropriate way to dispose of a desecrated flag.
Tragically, the following day, a devastating fire claimed the lives of his family. His in-laws’ home on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, where his family was staying, was burned to the ground. His pregnant second wife, Tina Manning, their three children, and his mother-in-law perished in the blaze. The cause of the fire was never officially determined, but Trudell and many others suspected government involvement, adding another layer of sorrow and suspicion to an already painful chapter in his life.
This devastating loss profoundly impacted Trudell. As he later told The New York Times, "It left me even angrier than I was, and I was never too calm to begin with. Between the years 1979 and 1984, I drove 250,000 miles. I just ran it out."
In the wake of this personal tragedy, Trudell began to distance himself from AIM and turned his attention to creative expression. In the 1980s, he embarked on a new path, channeling his anger, grief, and unwavering convictions into writing.
He published several volumes of poetry, including "Stickman: Poems, Lyrics, Talks" and "Lines from a Mined Mind." His poetry, often raw and unflinching, served as a platform to protest corporate power, government oppression, and environmental degradation. He used his words to challenge the status quo, to awaken consciousness, and to inspire resistance.
In his later years, John Trudell expanded his artistic horizons, combining his spoken word poetry with music. He described his poems as his "hanging-on lines," and he found a powerful synergy in setting them to music. His initial collaboration was with Jesse Ed Davis, a renowned American Indian guitarist who had worked with musical legends like Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne.
After Davis’s untimely death in 1988, Trudell credited Bob Dylan with encouraging him to continue as a solo artist. Dylan recognized the revolutionary potential of Trudell’s music, urging him to stay true to his vision. Despite facing the challenges of a "starving artist," Trudell persevered, creating a unique and impactful body of work.
He combined spoken words and music on more than a dozen albums, including "Wazi’s Dream," released shortly before his death. His music resonated with a diverse audience, including fellow artists like Kris Kristofferson, who paid tribute to Trudell with the 1995 song "Johnny Lobo," a song Kristofferson continues to perform live.
John Trudell‘s talents extended beyond activism and music. He also made his mark as an actor, appearing in several films, including "Thunderheart" (1992), starring Val Kilmer, and "Smoke Signals" (1998), starring Adam Beach. He also appeared alongside his friend Steven Seagal in "On Deadly Ground" (1994). These roles provided him with another platform to share his perspective and to challenge stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans in mainstream media.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Trudell remained deeply committed to environmental advocacy. In 2012, he co-founded Hempstead Project Heart with singer Willie Nelson. This organization advocates for the legalization of hemp cultivation for industrial purposes, promoting it as a more environmentally sustainable alternative to crops used for clothing, biofuel, and food.
John Trudell‘s life was a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of cultural identity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. His legacy as an activist, poet, actor, and environmentalist will continue to inspire generations to fight for justice, protect the environment, and express themselves with courage and authenticity. He is survived by his brother, Roger, and several children and grandchildren.