Later, John joins the American Indian Movement (AIM) and becomes its president from 1973 to 1979. He took part in the 1973 armed clash against police forces at Wounded Knee . Then, six years later, on February 11, 1979, John traveled to Washington D.C. to protest the government's injustice against Native Americans. John traveled to FBI headquarters with a group of AIM members where he would burn the American flag on the front steps of the building. Twelve hours later John's pregnant wife, three children and mother-in-law died in their home, which allegedly accidentally caught fire. John believed it was the FBI's way of trying to keep him quiet. After that incident John withdrew from the AIM group and began his interest in the artist