February 12th, 1979 Remembrance Day with Dad. k/s
"I couldn't change the reality of their deaths. I had to accept that, but with that acceptance came the will to continue the resistance struggle of Indian people that has gone on for the past 500 years." John Trudell
Trudell Draws Power from the Earth, Sky and Elements | June 25, 1989
"The only true, real connection we will ever have to power is our relation to the Mother Earth. We are a natural part of the Earth; we are not separate from it. The Earth is our mother. The Earth is a spirit and we are an extension of that spirit. We are spirit. We are power."
Trudell Draws from Personal Tragedy (Interview) | April 17, 1992
PREVIEW: You claim that the fire that killed your family was set on purpose to the U S government Do you have any evidence to support that?
JOHN TRUDELL: The fire wasn't an accident. When the fire happened on Feb. 12, 1979 the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the government — whoever their federal fire people are — had stated the fire was an accident, that it had started in the fireplace. This was not true. When I came back home, I had some other people look at it and they said it was physically impossible that the fire was an accident, but I can't discuss the particulars right now. In good time, it will be settled, because this was mass murder.
How will it be settled? Do you plan to seek litigation of any kind?
I plan not to let it pass. This was mass murder, this was women and children. If the American government had a quarrel with me, well, that was me. What did that have to do with my family? What kind of litigation I might seek out, I don't know. I won't sue for money, because money won't bring them back. That's not Justice. There's something wrong with this whole practice, this supposed system of democracy, when things like this can happen. There are some individuals I hold personally accountable for this, and it will not pass. But I can't be any more specific than that at this time. ‘Accidental’ Deaths of Family Still Plague Native Actor | May 8, 1992
"It was murder. They were murdered as an act of war." - On the killing of his wife, three children and mother-in-law.
"They waged war against us. They hunted us down. They killed, jailed, destroyed, by any means necessary. They saw that magical thing that happened with Alcatraz…all of a sudden this spirit was popping up and gaining momentum through AIM, and this is why the spirit-hunters, those who hunt free thought, came after us." – On the U.S. government and FBI.
"They could come in and commit mass murder in an Indian community and nobody would ask questions." - On lessons learned from the FBI reign of terror on AIM.
"There were those who started the fire and those who covered it up."
"They said it started in a fireplace. That was the first story that was put out, that an ember had fallen out of the back of the fireplace and rolled under the back porch and started the blaze. I had that fireplace checked and it was physically impossible to have started in this way, so when they told that story they knew they were lying."
"I spoke to an electrician and he said there was no such evidence." - On suggestion of electrical problem.
"They said it was a fire of undetermined origin."
"I couldn't move. I didn't have the energy. I felt I'd been beaten. I had the emotions and the feelings, but I couldn't do anything. But I did have this instinct to survive." - Reaction to the tragedy.
"But in 1979 I'd been operating within the rules. There was no criminal intent or criminal conduct in what we did. I had a right to redress my grievances. That didn't mean blowing up FBI headquarters. I didn't want to become the beast. But someone within the American government was very angry with me because we were working very effectively and had credibility and respectability within the community at large. I didn't listen to history the way I should have. I had always expected that although it would be between me and 'them,' it would be playing fair. I didn't understand."
"I felt I wasn't safe in any community if they could commit mass murder and have no one ask a second question. I had no political identity any more. I wandered around in a daze."
"I still remember the moment. I was with a friend in a car and all at once these lines came into my head - Gently the rains of purification washed through my mind. That was what started it."
"This fire took off too damn fast, and it was very intense. My family was murdered. This must be dealt with and that's not some emotional ranting coming out of me. I can't say all the things that I know at this time, but I know who knows and it's only a matter of time. This cannot pass silently into the night. I can't bring them back but in my own mind I can't let the ones who did this just go away."
