John Trudell

Multi-faceted half-Native American and half-Native Mexican businessman, entrepreneur, leader, artist, activist, poet, musician, actor, and author. John Trudell was from Omaha, Nebraska. His father was of Native-American descent and his mother was of Native-Mexican descent. After a stint in the Navy (and Vietnam) from 1963 to 1969, he became involved with the American Indian Movement, becoming National Chairman in 1973. He held that position until 1979; it was then that his wife Tina, mother-in-law, and three children ages one, three, & five, were burned to death in a "fire of suspicious origin" on their Nevada reservation which was nonetheless never investigated. Beginning in the early 1980's, Trudell began to channel his anger and emotion through poetry, music, and acting.