American Indian activist, actor and poet John Trudell to speak at NMSU
Trudell was a leader of the American Indian Movement during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. He served as the spokesman for the group during the occupation of Alcatraz from 1969-1971 and eventually became the president of AIM. He continued to work towards Indians rights, human rights, and ecological rights after the events at Alcatraz.
In 1979, a fire that killed his wife and children transformed Trudell's life, turning him toward an artistic expression of his beliefs. Today Trudell is a poet, a recording artist and an actor as well as an activist. He has more than a dozen albums to his credit and has acted in several feature films.
"John Trudell was a central figure in the American Indian Movement during a time of much social upheaval in the U.S," said Joe Graham, director of the Indian resource development program. "He was and remains an eloquent spokesman about issues of justice for indigenous peoples."
NMSU's Indian resource development program strives to bring innovative tribal leaders, educators and philosophers to the university on a regular basis. Trudell's appearance was made possible through support from various departments across campus including Dean Slaton in the College of Arts and Sciences; Cynthia Bejarano, the Stan Fulton Chair in the College of Arts and Sciences; Jeanette Haynes Writer, department head of curriculum and instruction in the college of Education; and Justin McHorse, director of NMSU's American Indian program.
For more information on Trudell visit johntrudell.com. For more information on the Indian resource development program visit nmsu.edu/~ird or call Dr. Joe Graham at 646-1347.
