The thunder before the storm The autobiography of Clyde Bellecourt

The American Indian Movement (AIM) has been a vital contributor to the revival of tribal sovereignty, Indigenous cultural renaissance, and civil rights since the late 1960s. Clyde Bellecourt, a founder and pivotal figure in AIM, provides an expansive description of the centrality of AIM. This autobiography reads like Bellecourt's public speeches. He ranges from his troubled childhood to his epiphany in prison guided by Eddie Benton-Banai, to the creation of AIM, and thence to his travails and accomplishments, which are inseparable from those of AIM. He emphasizes the importance of non-Indians in AIM's success, comments extensively on the internal controversies that afflicted AIM, and describes the FBI campaign against AIM. A summary statement illustrates his tone: "I was directly responsible for the development of nearly every Indian program in Minnesota." According to Bellecourt, he was a determining figure in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, coined the term "confrontational politics" in 1967, and was instrumental in the 1978 Longest Walk. AIM was the crucible in nearly every American Indian success, and he was the leader. Despite the hyperbole, Bellecourt's narrative provides important information about the American Indian experience. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. --Gregory Omer Gagnon, Loyola University of New Orleans and Tulane University

Anishinaabe activist Bellecourt recounts to Lurie (Canoeing with Jose) his life as a founding member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in this riveting autobiography. Organized by Bellecourt and other Native Americans at Stillwater State Prison in Minnesota in the 1960s, the organization aimed to restore sovereignty to indigenous communities by tackling issues such as police brutality and unemployment and helping members reclaim their cultural identity through the use of traditional ceremonies. Activities such as AIM's occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973 are described, with Bellecourt giving credit to the many Native women who helped support the movement. The activist candidly recalls his struggles with addiction and his public falling out with actor and Lakota activist -Russell Means. As with any autobiography, the depiction of events pits Bellecourt's words against those of others, but his powerful and conversational narrative carries readers along with an immediacy and frankness that is enlightening, sometimes humorous, and never dull. Bellecourt helps non-Native readers confront uncomfortable truths, facts that make this entry particularly significant. VERDICT Highly recommended for U.S. history students and anyone wishing to learn more about the modern struggles of Native peoples in America.-Sara Shreve, Newton, KS © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.