The Thunder Before the Storm: The Autobiography of Clyde Bellecourt

by Clyde Bellecourt, Jon Lurie

The American Indian Movement burst onto the scene in the late 1960s as indigenous people across the country began to demand what is rightfully theirs. Clyde Bellecourt, whose Ojibwe name translates as “The Thunder Before the Storm,” is one of its cofounders and iconic leaders. This powerful autobiography provides an intimate narrative of his childhood on the White Earth Reservation, his long journey through the prison system, and his embodiment of “confrontation politics” in waging war against entrenched racism. Bellecourt is up-front and unapologetic when discussing his battles with drug addiction, his clashes with other AIM leaders, his experiences on the Trail of Broken Treaties and at Wounded Knee, and the cases of Leonard Peltier and murdered AIM activist Anna Mae Aquash. This gritty, as-told-to memoir also uncovers the humanity behind Bellecourt’s militant image, revealing a sensitive spirit whose wounds motivated him to confront injustice and to help others gain a sense of pride by knowing their culture. The Thunder Before the Storm offers an invaluable inside look at the birth of a national movement―the big personalities, the creativity, and the perseverance that were necessary to alter the course of Native and American history.

Genres: Indigenous, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Native American, Memoir, American

320 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Apache Wars and The Sand Creek Massacre I was ripe to learn about the Native American civil rights movement that occured while I was in my late teens and early twenties. As if on cue, Edelwiss offered The Thunder Before the Storm, The Autobiography of Clyde Bellecourt, the founder of the American Indian Movement.

"We started a movement to take back everything that belonged to us: our spirituality, our hunting and fishing rights, our water rights, our gold and minerals, our sacred rites--and our children."

Starting with his childhood on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota, Clyde Bellecourt (his colonial name; The Thunder Before the Storm, Neegonnwayweedun, is his Ojibwe name) relates a grim story. Clyde grew up hearing his father's stories of being taken from his family to be educated in a boarding school so hateful that he enlisted during WWI. Later he discovered the origin of his mother's limp: at boarding school her punishment for speaking her native language was to scrub floors with bags of marbles tied to her knees.

Clyde grew up without knowledge of his native culture, spiritual traditions, or language, which had been violently supressed for generations by a Eurocentric majority culture. He was deemed "incorrigable," a truant and runaway, resistant to the mission school authority, repeatedly in juvenile detention, and in solitary confinement in prison. His life mirrored that of many Natives on the reservations, with high rates of alcoholism and drug abuse resulted in a typical lifespan of 44 years.

While in prison Clyde became part of an Indian cultural program and an Indian Folklore Group. He learned his native language, ceremonies, prayer songs, and history.

"I was typical of the other Indians there: spiritually and emotionally bankrupt."

It was the beginning of Bellecourt's spiritual revival that lead him to becoming an activist, using "confrontaion politics" to demand the end of discrimination on the local and national level. European education, organized religion, and the Bureaus of Indian Affairs were the institutions that needed to change. He became the leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM). The goals included addressing immediate concerns in housing, youth, employment, education, communication, and citizenship. The long range goals included unification of the Indian people, participation in local affairs, and fostering economic equality. Bellecourt brought back the Sun Dance which had been banned.

AIM found friends in civil rights workers including Coretta Scott King, religious leaders such as Dr. Paul Boe of the America Lutheran Church, and local political leaders along the way, but they were also targeted as 'terrorists' by local police, the FBI, and the American government. AIM was besieged, spys infiltrated the group, including assasins, and members were murdered.

Like many visionary leaders, Bellecourt is not a paragon of perfection; he struggled with demons-- alcohol, drugs, and infidelity; he was imprisoned on drug related charges; and he survived assasination attempts.

I was glad to read about Bellecourt's work to remove racism from American sports, particularly the National Football League and the Washington Redskins name. It helped me to understand the associations of this kind of branding from the Native American viewpoint. "Redskin" was used to "denigrate and dehumanize" the natives, who believe the term refers to the bloody scalps taken by bounty hunters. The "tomahawk chop" to Native Americans is a reminder of the weapons used to scalp their people.

I consider how I grew up with cowboy and Indian TV westerns and movies, the cliches and easy stereotypes, racism in the form of entertainment. We kids didn't know about the drive to exterminate First Peoples, the lies and broken treaties, and the continued supression of Native culture that was still ongoing. I had a cowboy hat and a holster, squinting my eyes as if always looking into the sun, a little blond-haired girl imitating what she saw on tv.

At college a friend told me about going to Pow Wows and of his interest in the Indian ways. It just seemed like a fad. And while I was working my husband through school, barely in my twenties, Wounded Knee seemed far away and alien.

I have been spending a great deal of time, now in my 'golden years', making up for the ignorance of my youth. It is frustrating to know that the entertainment industry still forms most of young people's historical knowledge. I know--the goal of public education is to make good citizens, and somehow that means supporting the image that America was always right. But I think that making good citizens should include the understanding that America has committed heinous crimes, but that we are continually learning to see the error of our past choices. Right now I am afraid that we may not be learning, as a culture, to recall history and resist making the same mistakes.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

[Thibaud Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book when doing shelving at the library. When I looked for the book it didn't have many checkouts. I checked it out so it would have a better chance of not being weeded. Things that were educational is his upbringing in prison and founding the American Indian Movement with Russell Means, Vernon Bellecourt, Dennis Banks, and others. He had disagreements with Russell Means. Russell Means autobiography is a book he recommends to read too.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fascinating. Whether or not Bellecourt is an entirely reliable narrator is ultimately besides the point. He is clear in his understanding of the genocide and his commitment to social justice is unwavering. He worked to fight an entrenched racism and longstanding inequities. He doesn't ever seem to question himself, or his tactics, though perhaps he might have.

One picture in the book stands out - during the 1972 takeover of the BIA headquarters in D.C., he is photographed sitting with his feet on the desk of a BIA director.....almost exactly the pose of that January 6 rioter almost 50 years later, both feeling they were on the right side of history.

[Kim Solem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde Bellecourt’s story, as told through the writings of Jon Lurie, is reminiscent of the “Narrations of Fredrick Douglas. Just as Douglas informed society of the horrors of slavery, so does Bellecourt narrative educate the reader on the dreadful existence of Native Americans in modern times.
An eye opening story that all should read.

[Gopal Sadagopal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiography written more like a oral history. Clyde Bellecourt if nothing else, is an original and has fought for Native American rights all his life. He admits his own faults from young age to much later in life. His ego is typical of what you can expect from a leader/politician. But his focus has been on improving the lives of the Native Americans.

Well worth reading.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read. I like the way he laid everything on the line--the very good he'd done, and also the not-so-good stuff he'd done. It was great reading another perspective about AIM. I'd say this is my fave book so far about the men who founded AIM.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the author's own words, this is the story from the perspective of Neegawnwaywidung. It's an open and engaging narrative of his story, and that of the American Indian Movement that he founded. Essential reading for Americans, even more so Minnesotans.

[Adot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting material but man this guy's ego is huge.

[Deb Sodt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating personal story, well written. Especially interesting to me since I live in Minneapolis where AIM got its start.

[Mrmarvin2000]

Recommend.

[Jeff Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!!

[teyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️really enjoyed how this was written, it reads like a conversation more than anything. AIM you will always be famous

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend described this book as having the feel of the author sitting at the dinner table with you, sharing their story. Yes!! That is an excellent way to describe this book. I kn0w little about the plight of Native American's and this book is an excellent introduction. It is eye-opening and stirs the desire to learn more. I highly recommend!

[Deb M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating human being! Reading the history of the American Indian Movement and about Mr. Bellecourt helped me get rid an immature view of AIM and it's goals. It helped me see a man who only examined his life turned it around and shared the journey with his people and helped many reshape their path in life. Taking back one's heritage, finding the pride of their heritage and being able to practice their heritage. This is what Clyde Bellecourt has helped instill not only in his own people but in others who are willing to listen with the heart as well as their head. AIM is one of those groups much maligned but has never lost sight of the greater good. Read this one and understand my friends! Fascinating from cover to cover.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As American Indian Movement co-founder Clyde Bellecourt states in the prologue to this autobiography, this is his story, as he remembers it. And what a story it is!

In a straightforward narrative style, Bellecourt recounts his childhood, his prison experiences, his spiritual and political awakening, and his role in some of AIM's most dramatic actions, including the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. He also candidly discusses tensions and schisms within AIM and offers trenchant criticisms of other AIM leaders, most notably Russell Means.

While AIM grabbed headlines for their takeover of BIA offices and their staunch defense of Native American sovereignty, so much of their grassroots community organizing - 'the damn hard work' in Bellecourt's words - has for too long gone unrecognized. In Minneapolis alone, AIM established health clinics, schools, a job training program, and a legal rights center, and began managing community housing for Native Americans. These accomplishments required dedication and determination, and Bellecourt was at the forefront of these efforts.

It is impossible to overestimate AIM's impact on Indian country. They restored pride, reawakened people's connection to their spirituality, and have never backed down from their decades-long struggle against racism. Clyde Bellecourt has spent most of his life on AIM's front lines. Reading his autobiography is a powerful reminder that collective action can yield lasting achievements.

The Thunder Before the Storm richly deserves its place on the shelf next to Dennis Banks's Ojibwe Warrior and Russell Means's Where White Men Fear to Tread for an insider's perspective on how a group of committed warriors drew international attention to the plight of a people who had been unjustly treated in their own land for centuries.

[Mills College Library]

323.1197 B438 2016