Voices Catching Up: A Critical Examination of John Trudell as an Indigenous Social Theorist

Classical social theory has shaped how sociologists frame our understandings of social phenomena and influences how empirical questions are formed and investigated, yet it has recently received much critical scrutiny in light of its Eurocentric and Androcentric roots. Drawing on postcolonial and Tribal Critical Race Theory, this paper brings scholarly attention to a particular indigenous voice of significant sociocultural impact that may help sociology expand its knowledge base, contributing to the construction of an indigenous epistemology within sociology. John Trudell was a prominent figure for indigenous rights and served as the National Chairman for the American Indian Movement. I provide a conceptual history, with a partial biographical history, that examines Trudell’s roots in indigenous activism. I utilize a historical approach, examining the nature of his ideas, expression across multiple kinds of media, and provide a textual analysis of selected works.