John Trudell – References

Biographical Timeline | Leadership Qualities | OK Tribal Gaming Dispute | References

“American Indian Movement.” Willson Center DigiLab. https://digilab.libs.uga.edu/exhibits/exhibits/show/civil-rights-digital-history-p/american-indian-movement.

“American Indian Movement activist John Trudell passes on at 69.” Indianz, December 9, 2015. https://www.indianz.com/News/2015/12/09/american-indian-movement-activ.asp.

Associated Press. “Stitt: Tribes would ‘illegally’ run games without new deal.” The Washington Times, December 6, 2019. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/dec/6/stitt-tribes-would-illegally-run-games-without-new/.

“Biography.” John Trudell Website. https://www.johntrudell.com/biography/.

Dean, Kyle D. “The Economic Impact of Tribal Nations in Oklahoma Fiscal Year 2017.” Oklahoma Native Impact Study. http://www.oknativeimpact.com/.

“Discography.” John Trudell Website. https://www.johntrudell.com/discography/.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. “John Francis Trudell: Extremist Matter- American Indian Movement.” Archive, January 23, 1974. https://archive.org/details/JohnTrudell/page/n25/mode/2up.

“History.” National Indian Gaming Commission Website. https://www.nigc.gov/commission/history.

Indianz Staff. “Tribes and Oklahoma remain far apart when it comes to gaming.” Indianz, October 19, 2019. https://www.indianz.com/IndianGaming/2019/10/29/tribes-and-state-of-oklahoma-remain-far.asp.

Johansen, Bruce Elliott. Native Americans Today: A Bibliographical Dictionary. ABC-CLIO. 2010.

Kindheart, Jim. “Modern Humans Are Walking Dead! ~ John Trudell.” YouTube Video. Posted September 1, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igJnApEtg1I.

KTUL Staff. “UPDATED: Oklahoma tribes file lawsuit, governor responds in casino dispute.” KTUL News, December 31, 2019. https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-tribes-file-federal-lawsuit-in-gaming-compact-dispute-with-governor.

Manning, Sarah. “The Picture in Our Hallway: My Story Growing up With the Trudell Family.” Indian Country Today, December 15, 2015. https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/manning-the-picture-in-our-hallway-my-story-growing-up-with-thetrudell-family-q83lA-1uzEiHwcfHNZpm_g.

Marchese, John. “POP MUSIC; A Sioux Poet Whose Fiery Protests Now Come Packaged in Jewel Boxes.” The New York Times, February 19, 1995. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/books/pop-music-a-sioux-poet-whose-fiery-protests-now-come-packaged-in-jewel-boxes.html.   

Meister Economic Consulting. “The Economic Impact of Tribal Gaming: A State-by-State Analysis.” Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report, November 8, 2018. https://www.americangaming.org/resources/the-economic-impact-of-tribal-gaming-a-state-by-state-analysis-2/.  

Rae, Heather, dir. Trudell. 2005; Appaloosa Pictures. YouTube Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlcmTeCcbME&t=5s.  

Rock on MV. “John Trudell- Grafitti Man- 10/10/1992- Shoreline Ampitheater.” YouTube Video. Posted September 23, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJAz8XeVoCY.

Sgentlemanjack. “Mining Our Minds for the Machine.” YouTube Video. Posted April 17, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GgUyZ4F7CU.

Tres Savage. “More than 30 tribes ‘stand united’ against Stitt offer.” NonDoc Media, December 19, 2019. https://nondoc.com/2019/12/19/more-than-30-tribes-stand-united-against-stitt-offer/.  

Treuer, David. “How a Native American Resistance Held Alcatraz for 18 Months.” The New York Times, November 20, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/us/native-american-occupation-alcatraz.html.

Vanayerst, Victoria. “John Trudell acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and activist.” YouTube Video. Posted June 12, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1_MGC7_gYQ.

Weber, Bruce. “John Trudell, Outspoken Advocate for American Indians, Is Dead at 69.” The New York Times, December 9, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/10/us/john-trudell-outspoken-advocate-for-american-indians-is-dead-at-69.html.  

John Trudell – Leadership Qualities

Biographical Timeline | Leadership Qualities | OK Tribal Gaming Dispute | References

Inspiring

John Trudell was and continues to be an inspiration to Native American activists across the globe. He created an image and a brand that “made the spirit of the people stronger.” He was able to unite generations of Native Americans because his music and poetry drew on traditional Native American styles and themes that older generations could connect with, while incorporating modern characteristics that younger people could relate to as well. His music worked to preserve part of his cultural heritage and inspired people to connect deeper with their roots. Not only did he reach across the age gap, but across the gender gap as well. In his time with AIM John was constantly advocating for the voices of women to be heard, because he felt that they were so often lost in the crowd. He was a particularly strong advocate for the agency of his wife. After her death he made sure that people knew the amazing work that she had done, that her death was not simply defined by his work, but by her own advocacy for Native American rights and sovereignty as well.

Charismatic

People were inspired by John because they were drawn to him, he was powerful in the way that he could draw crowds when speaking at events. His charisma is what gathered the attention of federal agencies, and even frightened them and caused them to label him as dangerous. John did not back down from his beliefs or ideals and he challenged and criticized those who were lacking in upholding their own morals and beliefs. The US government was a main recipient of his criticism because he argued that they not only lacked care for their own people, but for the planet they lived on as well. During the Alcatraz occupation John fought to protect the rights of ALL Native Americans, and would not be paid off in order to back down from his beliefs. He burned an American flag on the steps of the FBI building because he said it was desecrated by the racism, classism and sexism that it represented. The American flag did not represent freedom in John’s eyes because not all were free.

Courageous

There were many instances in which John Trudell should have been afraid for his life, but nevertheless he upheld his values and kept fighting for what he knew was right. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s the FBI began a program called COINTEL, which aimed to shut down the movement, but when AIM began vamping up as a political player they shifted their focus to John Trudell himself. His active involvement in the Alcatraz occupation and other sit ins at Wounded Knee and the BIA placed a target on his back. The FBI feared John because of his ability to motivate and mobilize not only Native Americans, but non-natives as well, as seen at Wounded Knee. AIM was eventually labeled as a militant terrorist group at the Wounded Knee protests, which was a way to enable and excuse violence against the activists there. One of the more terrifying moments in his life came with the death of his wife, mother-in-law and three children after burning an American flag atop the FBI steps. Although the fire that killed his family was ruled as an accident, John was certain it was murder. This moment in time was a sure indicator that if someone could kill people as innocent as his family, they could surely kill him.

John Trudell FBI file
A page from John Trudell’s extensive FBI file, which lists the many “militant” activities he participated in while advocating for Native American rights.

Rebekah Edgbert

I was born and raised in Puyallup, Washington where I still currently live. I am a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle and will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Scandinavian Studies. After graduating I would like to take a short break from school and begin training as a flight attendant, but plan to come back to UW and get my Masters in Library and Information Science. Since I was young I have loved the organization and environment of being in libraries and would love to spread the enjoyment I find in them, with others.

Family, friends, travelling and my dog Nickel are the most important things in my life. I have a crazy group of 20 friends, many of whom I have known since elementary school. With this group I travel, have game nights, and most importantly go to Sonic Drive-In every 19th of the month.

At the beach
My dog Nickel and I looking for beach glass on a stormy day on Whidby Island in Washington.