MLK Symposium Lecture: John Trudell January 26, 2004

"The Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium Closing Lecture:
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John Trudell
American Indian Movement
activist,
poet,
musician
Monday January 26th, 2004
6:00pm
Pendelton Room, Michigan Union
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Everyone is welcome!

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John Trudell, a Vietnam Veteran, served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967, attended college for a while. In 1969, Trudell participated in the
occupation of Alcatraz Island by Indians of All Tribes, of which he begame a spokesman. After the Indians of All Tribes occupation ended in 1971,
Trudell worked with the American Indian Movement, becoming national Chairman of AIM in 1973. Trudell was chairman of AIM from 1973 until 1979.
In February of 1979, Trudell's mother-in-law, wife and three children were killed in a fire of unknown origin. It was through this horrific tragedy, that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet. In 1982, with Jackson Browne's help, John Trudell recorded Tribal Voice, a
fusion of poetry and traditional Native music, which was released on cassette. In 1985, Trudell met legendary Kiowa guitarist and songwriter
Jesse Ed Davis. Together, they recorded Trudell's debut album AKA Grafitti Man, with Trudell writing and performing the spoken word vocals and Jesse
writing and performing the music. Released on cassette in 1986, it was dubbed "the best album" of that year by none other than Bob Dylan.
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sponsored by the office of academic multi-cultural initiative and the Native
American Student Association
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