By K.E. Macphie
On November 15th, friends of Native American author, poet, actor, musician, and political activist John Trudell will remember him with a special music concert at The Cedar in Minneapolis, marking ten years since he walked on, and the whole community is invited.
John Trudell was a poet, recording artist, actor and speaker whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work, and message.
Annie Humphrey, an artist with Fire in the Village and host of this concert, remembers him this way: “John was my friend and mentor. When he knew he was returning to the Star Nation, he was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He would say, ‘Remember me as you remember me.’” It is in this spirit that this night of artistic expression will honor John Trudell, who will be remembered by those who knew him.
“I wanted to have this concert as an excuse to gather and remember John in a real way. I wasn’t the only one who held him in my heart. Many people knew him…he had a circle in Minneapolis. John encouraged me, supported me, inspired me, and reminded me of my power. He has done that for others,” said Annie Humphrey, who describes how the evening will reflect John’s spirit.
“There is a ceremony involved in gathering together on November 15th. We will drive towards The Cedar. Once we arrive, we will see a fire to offer tobacco. We will smoke an American Spirit and visit as we smoke. Then we will enter the lobby of the Cedar and make a fabric patch containing images and quotes by John. You will hear his voice throughout the lobby and in the main room. You may stop, close your eyes, listen, and walk through your own memories of him. His last record and his last book will be available to read or buy.
The songs I write are all influenced by the essence of John. Come and let’s remember and be coherent together.”
The concert will feature a special video performance by musicians Quiltman and Mark Shark, who were part of John’s band, Bad Dog, from the beginning.
“I was unable to raise enough funds to bring The Boys out to Minnesota, but a generous friend donated money to get Shark and Quilt into a studio together with a sound engineer and videographer. I asked them to banter (which they are very good at) and play some of their favorite songs. They will be the headliners.”
Keith Secola and Annie Humphrey, with amazingly cool musicians, Sean Carey (Bon Iver, Bizhiki) and Minneapolis guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker will provide the live music portion of the evening.
This concert is the final event in Fire in the Village’s annual fall art and music tour. Check it out all around the state before they hibernate. Fire in the Village is a collective of artists and cultural organizers, led by Annie Humphrey, making space to let people create and grow, with a focus on the Anishinaabe territories and rural towns in Northern Minnesota.
Their Fall 2025 Music and Art Tour is in its second year with a format that works: art workshops and community meals during the day, followed by more art, storytelling, and music in the evenings. Tickets are by suggested donation, but no one is turned away.
The theme this year is Warriors and the Powerless, based on Humphrey’s quote that “If you are ever feeling powerless, remember that power is just a thought away.” Creating art is power. Telling stories and being heard is power. Music is always power. Art feeds off the energy of the people creating it, and that will change in every room and every stop to be what the people need.
The leader of this vision is artist and musician Annie Humphrey. Humphrey grew up on the Leech Lake Reservation with parents who taught her art and survival.
Co-founder, Shanai Matteson, is an arts organizer from rural Aitkin County and is the organizer for the Fire In The Village, as well as being a visual artist in her own right. She has dedicated her time, talent and spirit for community events, which is a perfect fit and great balance to the musical art of the partner.
In addition to their tour, Fire in the Village hosts local events every Wednesday in Grand Rapids at their Homeroom 203 (10 NW 5th St. Grand Rapids). In November, those events include a youth-centered art space, movie viewing (they are showing Thunder Heart), block printing, a writing circle, and karaoke every 5th Wednesday (which doesn’t happen often).
They know that community isn’t built only in one-time events, but in constant presence and support to the people who need a space to be free and experimental. The Fall 2025 Music and Art Tour is just an introduction to what is possible for people who are searching for that kind of environment in their lives.
You can attend the following November tours at these locations:
• Nov. 1 at Sampaguita 204 Minnesota Ave. N. Aitkin, MN;
• Nov. 6 at Zietgeist Theater 222 East Superior Street Duluth, MN;
• Nov. 7 at Old Central School 10 NW 5th St. Grand Rapids, MN. No need to RSVP, tickets at the door $5 – 20 suggested donation. No one turned away!;
• Nov. 8 at Voyagers Expeditionary High School at Headwaters Music and Arts 519 Minnesota Ave. NW Bemidji, MN. Tickets $5 – 20 suggested donation;
• Nov. 15 is a special closing show only (no daytime art) at The Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis, MN. Tickets $15 Advance, $18 Day of Show.
Learn more about Fire in the Village at their website: https://www.fireinthevillage.org.
