ONAC Elder Counsel John Trudell heads to Happy Hunting Grounds...
It is with the saddest of eyes and heart that we announce to you the passing of a legend and inspiration beyond measure... a true treasure of ONAC KM, and of Turtle Island and the entire globe.
John Trudell, at age 69 years, crossed over after an uphill battle with cancer that despite his wish, his lengthy illness became generally known by those close with him. Many assumed he was involved in medical cannabis therapy because of his front line advicosy for cannabis liberation as well as his poems and songs such as "Wildseed and Grassfire," but unfortunately, he was not."
John was blessed with several children he leaves behind, as he has said, “spread around the country so they will always be safe”, in addition to the three and his unborn fourth whom preceeded him in death at the hands of the US Government along with his wife and his mother-in-law mere hours after having burned the American flag in Washington DC during a protest in the early 1970's and having been threatened as to how things He loved could also be burned such as that flag was.
His daughters Sage, Song and Star are featured in the 2005 documentary deplicting John's life and successes as an activist in the American Indian Movement (AIM), an actor, a poet, phrophet and musician, and his daughter Tara and her sisters were at Alcatraz during the AIM occupation under the Ft. Lauramie tready. His youngest boy, Cetan, lives in San Francisco. John also was a proud grandpa!
John was a very private man when it came to his family life and living relations, mainly because of the murder of his wife and children during the 70's... to the point that he actually had managers that were screening all of his business and social media networking.
In 2012, Trudell and singer Willie Nelson co-founded Hempstead Project Heart, which advocates for legalizing the growing of hemp for industrial purposes as a more environmentally sound alternative to crops used for clothing, biofuel and food. Both were also involved with Oklevueha Native American Church of Kautantowit's Mecautea (ONAC KM) of Oregon... John was a highly treasured elder counsel to church Sachem Joy 'Hawkeye' Graves while Willie and 2 of his children remain members in Good Standing to date.
Truly a legend as well as a wise example as to how life should be lived and perceived on Mother World, John will be missed by many, but thankfully for us he left behind deep prints and much of his wisdom in his poetry and song which ONAC KM assures us will continue to be a primary focus of wisdom taught within the church. Rest and be at peace brother, you've earned it beyond!
