Honoring the True History of the Occupation of Alcatraz

Tipi on Alcatraz 1969. Photo courtesy Robert Free, Censored News

Honoring the True History of the Occupation of Alcatraz

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Nov. 19, 2025

Today, we are honoring the true history of the Occupation of Alcatraz. The tipi was brought here by Robert Free of Seattle, during the early days of the Occupation in 1969.

"The tipi was put up early during the Occupation of Alcatraz Island. It remained there until the U.S. government Marshals and the FBI removed everyone 19 months later," Robert told Censored News in an interview in 2019.

"It was a place most all visitors came to rest and enjoy. It had a sweat lodge, used as needed."

Remembering those times that are now a part of history, he said, "It was the only place on the island where prisoners were allowed to grow flowers and gardens, next to a cliff with seals at the bottom."

John Trudell, Alcatraz, 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXPJ-nRsZg

Radio Free Alcatraz: John Trudell broadcast Radio Free Alcatraz during the Occupation of Alcatraz, the Occupation carried out by the Indians of All Tribes

"If you live white, then that doesn't really make you an Indian," John Trudell, Santee, said during the Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969.

"We're concerned about people -- the reservation people -- people on the reservations, that are being forced to assimilate or die out. We're worried about things like our language and our culture and we want this on our own terms."

"This isn't about poverty," Trudell said, "It is about honor."

Trudell broadcast Radio Free Alcatraz from 1969 through 1970.

Honoring the true history of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

The 1964 Occupation: Russell Means and his father Hank

Russell Means and his father, Hank Means, occupied Alcatraz in 1964, in the first of three Occupations of Alcatraz. On March 8, 1964, five years before the 1969 Occupation, Walter 'Hank' Means and his son Russell Means were among those who occupied the Rock.

During the four-hour occupation, Walter and his son, along with Richard McKenzie, Mark Martinez, Garfield Spotted Elk, Virgil Standing Elk, and Allen Cottier offered the federal government the same amount for the land that the government had initially offered them, at 47 cents an acre. Honoring the true history of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

Read more of the story:

"When Warriors were Warriors" Robert Free, Censored News
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/11/when-warriors-were-warriors-robert-free.html

"Dream Big: Alcatraz Occupation Tipi Envisioned as Monument to Resilience, Tenacity and Self Determination." Robert Free, Censored News
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2021/05/dream-big-alcatraz-occupation-tipi.html

John Trudell 1969, Alcatraz, video interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXPJ-nRsZg

Listen to Radio Free Alcatraz 1969 -- 1970
https://www.taraevonnetrudell.com/radio-free-alcatraz

Robert Free and Sid Mills, Occupation of Wounded Knee 1973

Special thanks to Robert Free for sharing his memories and photos with Censored News, and all those who contributed.