John Trudell is an acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and activist whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message.
In addition to his music career, Trudell has played roles in a number of feature films, including a lead role in the Mirimax movie Thunderheart and a major part in Sherman Alexie's Smoke Signals. He most recently played Coyote in Hallmark's made for television movie, Dreamkeeper.
Here are some John Trudell's most powerful and inspirational quotes
1- Every human being is a raindrop. And when enough of the raindrops become clear and coherent they then become the power of the storm.
2- Everything that has ever happened to us is there to make us stronger.
3- The strength of the poetry as we enter into whatever it is we are entering into, will be determined by the clarity of the thinking we put into it.
4- In the society of illusion, reality must manifest itself.
5- Protect your spirit, because you are in the place where spirits get eaten.
6-The past is more than a memory.
7-Sometimes when it rains, it's not that simple, when the sky has reasons to cry.
8-It’s like there is this predator energy on this planet, and this predator energy feeds on the essence of the spirit.
9-I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing it's understanding of being human.
10-We must go beyond the arrogance of human rights. We must go beyond the ignorance of civil rights. We must step into the reality of natural rights because all of the natural world has a right to existence and we are only a small part of it. There can be no trade-off.
11-We’re not Indians and we’re not Native Americans. We’re older than both concepts. We’re the people, we’re the human beings.
12- The great lie is that it is civilization. It's not civilized. It has been literally the most blood thirsty brutalizing system ever imposed upon this planet. That is not civilization. That's the great lie, is that it represents civilization.
13-Our bones, flesh and blood are made up of the metals, liquids and minerals of the earth and everything on this planet is made up of the same things. As humans we have being, so everything on the earth does too in our culture, because we are made of the same thing.
14- "We are a spirit, we are a natural part of the earth, and all of our ancestors, all of our relations who have gone to the spirit world, they are here with us. That's power. They will help us. They will help us to see if we are willing to look. We are not separated from them because there's no place to go -- we stay here. This is our place: the earth. This is our mother: we will not go away from our mother.
In addition to his music career, Trudell has played roles in a number of feature films, including a lead role in the Mirimax movie Thunderheart and a major part in Sherman Alexie's Smoke Signals. He most recently played Coyote in Hallmark's made for television movie, Dreamkeeper.
Here are some John Trudell's most powerful and inspirational quotes
1- Every human being is a raindrop. And when enough of the raindrops become clear and coherent they then become the power of the storm.
2- Everything that has ever happened to us is there to make us stronger.
3- The strength of the poetry as we enter into whatever it is we are entering into, will be determined by the clarity of the thinking we put into it.
4- In the society of illusion, reality must manifest itself.
5- Protect your spirit, because you are in the place where spirits get eaten.
6-The past is more than a memory.
7-Sometimes when it rains, it's not that simple, when the sky has reasons to cry.
8-It’s like there is this predator energy on this planet, and this predator energy feeds on the essence of the spirit.
9-I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing it's understanding of being human.
10-We must go beyond the arrogance of human rights. We must go beyond the ignorance of civil rights. We must step into the reality of natural rights because all of the natural world has a right to existence and we are only a small part of it. There can be no trade-off.
11-We’re not Indians and we’re not Native Americans. We’re older than both concepts. We’re the people, we’re the human beings.
12- The great lie is that it is civilization. It's not civilized. It has been literally the most blood thirsty brutalizing system ever imposed upon this planet. That is not civilization. That's the great lie, is that it represents civilization.
13-Our bones, flesh and blood are made up of the metals, liquids and minerals of the earth and everything on this planet is made up of the same things. As humans we have being, so everything on the earth does too in our culture, because we are made of the same thing.
14- "We are a spirit, we are a natural part of the earth, and all of our ancestors, all of our relations who have gone to the spirit world, they are here with us. That's power. They will help us. They will help us to see if we are willing to look. We are not separated from them because there's no place to go -- we stay here. This is our place: the earth. This is our mother: we will not go away from our mother.
Respect! I relate deeply! Thank you so much for sharing!
It is so interesting how everything John Trudell expresses about our spirit and our relationship as human beings to the universe, I have learned and I am still learning through dance.
Our mind, body and soul are connected indeed!
one of my favorites: "My DNA needs THC." from an interview in High Times magazine several years back.
Kinanaskomitin ininuuk mitoni
hiy hiy tapwe weputs
ᑭᓇᓇᐢᑯᒥᑎᐣ ᐃᓂᐣuuᐠ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐦᐃᕀ ᐦᐃᕀ ᑕᐯᐧ ᐁᐧᑊuᐟᐢ
Swampy Cree ᒼuᐢᑫgᐅ ᐃᓂᐣuuᐠ
These 14 quotes did not make me question society, but let me know that I am not alone in my thoughts about society !
LOVE it.
Right on JT!!!!
Great words but sure wish they'd capitalize the E when talking about Earth. Even when talking about Earth as in soil, being that it is a part of Earth it still should be capitalized. Thank you.
Brilliant concept of the existence of the Spirit!
All great quotes but missing one thing"God"!
I'm so thankful to my Father that He let's us get wisdom from His Spirit
I love Him
Trudell has been many things in the past, all of which has to lead to who he is today. And that is a wise and truthful teacher for the rest of us.
The past is, the present and the future
So which god does anonymous want us to add to their collection? Why mar thoughts of another, (obviously a more thoughtful person would not do so) because of some concept that is so gravely misunderstood and wildly mixed up? Please leave your shallow concepts in some forum more suited to such comments and respect John Trudell for who he is and try to glean some wisdom from him as he deserves. Try to humbly learn instead of deceitful sanctimoniusness. There is a great deal of difference between indoctrination and education. Good on you John, thank you for thinking and sharing.
perfect. did not expect this comment. thc tis an elixir.
Hey! the guy who said that john needs to have a quote about your "god" here's one for ya!
"To God: We hope you don't mind, but we would like to talk to you, there's some things we need to straighten out, it's about these Christians...
They claim to be from Your nation, but man, you should see the things they do, all the time blaming it on you; raping the Earth, lying, taking more then they need, and all the forms of the greed. They say it's God's will. We do not mean to be disrespectful, but you know how it is, our People have their own ways. We never even heard of you until not long ago. Your representative spoke magnificent things of You which we were willing to believe. But, from the way they acted we know that You and we were being deceived. It's time for You to decide what life is worth....we already remember, but maybe You forgot." - John Trudell and here's a link to video where you can watch him say it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu0x-2U9xFI
Now go to a christian website and take your bible thumping there with you.
John Trudell and his words will be sorely missed in this world. May he rest in peace.
Today the sky is crying John Trudell walks on to the arms of the great spirit. I cry too.
Agree on All points except #14..
However, I gotta agree with Anonymous' statement from Trudell about so-called Christians.. you can tell who and what they are by their deeds! They were no Christians...they were that evil force's minions doing his dirty work and turning the People from His Word....
Really like 2 and 9...lg
A decent man, human and natural. More a brother because of his spirit and good heart than if we had lived as blood brothers. I will echo your thoughts in my life and time. R.I.P. John Trudell.
I loved John Trudell from the very first encounter and, I, as so many others whose lives he touched, will always love John Trudell.... even in to the spirit world.Johns earth-walk was a gift to us all.
S.L.J.
❤
My tribute to one fine human being, a guiding light in my life. Composed of some of John Trudell's more known song titles:
One of the "Blue Indians", a "Bad Dog" in a "Rich Man's War" caught in the "Undercurrent" of dodging "Bombs Over Baghdad". One who would "Carry the Stone" "Through the Dust" while "Rockin the Rez". It "Becomes Apparent" now he's just a "Spectator", that it "Doesn't Hurt Anymore" and he can no longer be "Hangin' from the Cross" for us. Yet in "Restless Situations" when there is "Grassfire" and "Beauty in Fade", "What He'd Done" in "Poetic Motion" was to "See the Woman" with "Nothing in Her Eyes". Now you must "Cry your Tears" for "Somebody's Kid" who's only outlet for expression is to be a "Graffiti Man". Me hoping to check into the "Lucky Motel" when life is "Rubbing Rough" "Across My Heart", "Tina Smiles" and sez "Sorry Love" in these "Bone Days" of drought there's nothing but "Tears for Rain"...
Everything he said resonated with me. I'm so glad I found him. Incredible human being.
John has moved on, we must carry on his wisdom