The film traces Trudell's life from his childhood in Omaha, Nebraska, through his role as a leader of the American Indian Movement.

It also covers his rebirth as a musician and spoken word poet after his wife died in a house fire suspected as arson.

Heather Rae produced and directed the film, which took her more than a decade to complete.

Trudell aired nationally in the U.S. on April 11, 2006 as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS.

... [John Trudell] deserves more daring and objective scrutiny than this overly reverent tribute.By preaching so relentlessly to the choir, this film misses an opportunity to show what got them to sing in the first place.Despite the rambling finish, however, overall the film is a thought-provoking and graceful portrait of a tenacious peace warrior whose frankness is his greatest weapon.