Clyde Bellecourt, "Thunder Before the Storm", White Earth Anishinabe-Ojibway Nation, American Indian Movement Co-founder

Clydeis a founder and Director of the American Indian Movement. He was amajor figure in the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973 and played afounding role in an ongoing Indian School System, Legal Rights Centerand the International Indian Treaty Council. He is also directing thePeacemaker Center for Indian youth and the AIM Patrol which providessecurity for the Minneapolis Indian community. He is an organizer ofthe National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media. He is founderand currently Chairman of the Board of American Indian OIC, aninnovative job program that has moved over 14,000 people from welfareto full-time employment.Clyde sees a bright future: "This generation oflittle children is the7th Generation. Not just Indian children butwhite, black, yellow and red. Our grandfathers said the 7th generationwould provide new spiritual leaders, medicine people, doctors, teachersand our great chiefs. There is a spiritual rebirth going on."

Dedicatedto helping the people and fostering pride in Indian youth, Clydesays,"Learn who you are. I always tell children that. You're going tobe our chiefs, our doctors, and our lawyers. Don't spend 16 years ofyour life in correctional institutions like I did. You, members ofthe7thGeneration, are 55 to 60 years ahead of me. You are a fulfillmentof age-old prophecies that you would bring back health and happiness tothe people."