Indigenous activist John Trudell remembered through music, art

Dec. 8 marks one decade since Native American activist, poet, musician and actor, John Trudell, died.

An event will be held Saturday night in Minneapolis at The Cedar Cultural Center to remember Trudell. Friends and community members will gather for a night of mixed activities, including music, artmaking and a meal.

Born to a father from the Santee Sioux Nation and a Mexican mother, Trudell was born Feb. 15, 1946, and grew up near the Santee Sioux Reservation in Nebraska. He died of cancer at the age of 69.

After his service in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, he rose to public attention as spokesperson for Indians of All Tribes during the occupation of Alcatraz. The group of Native American activists occupied the small island and former prison for nearly two years from 1969 to 197