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Home , Charles Chibitty, Crazy Horse, Maria Tallchief, Susan La Flesche Picotte, Wilma Mankiller

November is Native American History Month The idea to celebrate the first inhabitants of our land, started out as a celebration of American Indian week in 1986 and in 1990 was expanded to be the month of November. And although National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21, this month-long celebration recently updated its name to Native American Heritage Month. Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians are all included in these celebrations as the US attempts to recognize their contributions to our shared history, heritage and culture. Indigenous Peoples have contributed to every part of our society, including literature, art, medicine, science, government, the military and many others (Library of Congress, 2020). Join our class as we continue our monthly recognition of the diversity of our society. Charles Curtis (Jan. 25, 1860-Feb. 8, 1936)

Charles Curtis was born in Topeka, Kansa/Kaw territory, before it was known as Kansas Territory. His father was of European descent, and his mother of descent. Because of this, he was not given a traditional name. He lived with his maternal grandparents while his father went off to fight in the Civil war, and was taught French and Kaw by his mother before her death. He graduated from Topeka High School at the insistence of his grandparents. He worked as a janitor while studying law in 1879. He subsequently was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1881 at the age of 21. Later on he went into politics, and served as a republican member of the house of representatives. He later moved to Congress as a senator, and was nominated for Vice President by Herbert Hoover. Curtis was the first person of color to become

Vice President of the US, and under his term as Senator,

the Kaw nation was legally disbanded.

He was a major promoter of the assimilation of the native peoples to European/American culture.

Curtis was also part of the team that finally gave women the right to vote. Sources (also this presentation was done by Anirudh Chari)

Alaa Elassar, CNN. November 8th, 2020. “Charles Curtis: Remembering the Native American who was the first person of color to serve as US vice president”. Retrieved November 9th, 2020.

Debra Utacia Krol. November 7th, 2020. “Native American vice president made history in the 1920s, but fell into obscurity”. Retrieved November 9th, 2020.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. July 28th, 1999. “Charles Curtis”. Retrieved November 9th, 2020. Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was born on May 28, 1888 near Prague, Indian Thorpes is a major athletic influence even to this Territory, which is now in . He belonged to the day. He attended Carlisle in 1907, and sauk and fox Nation, but also had Potawatomi Indian immediately joined their track-and-field team. In bloodlines. His Indigenous name was Wa-Tho-Huk, which casual clothes, he managed to launch himself meant “Bright Path,” but he was given a Christian name over a 5’9” high bar, and broke the school which was Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe. At a very early age, record. However, it was football that got him his Thorpe was taught how to hunt and trap. Because of his claim to fame in the athletic world. He starred on the team as a halfback, place kicker, punter and extensive journeys through the he grew up defender. He led his team to an unexpected in, he developed his legendary endurance victory over Harvard, which was the top ranking team at the time, in November 1911. References (Papa A.K.)

Biography.com Editors. Apr. 2, 2014. “Jim Thorpe Biography.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020 (https://www.biography.com/athlete/jim-thorpe)

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. May. 24, 2020. “Jim Thorpe.” Retrieved Nov 9, 2020 (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Thorpe-American-athlete)

Author: Unknown. 2011. “Thorpe, Jim.” Retrieved Nov 10, 2020 (http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.sr.054) Tashunka-Witko was born in an unknown year; however, historians speculate he was born between 1838 and 1842. He was a part of the Band of the Lakota Tribe. When he was a boy, he showed valiant courage during battle, which inspired his resistance against American colonists; his father acknowledged his courage during battle and gifted him the name , his father’s original name. Crazy Horse also had names such as Curly Hair and Horse on Sight. Crazy Horse was raised in the traditional manner of the Lakotas, an important aspect of any tribe member’s adult life, because these games helped them develop defense tactics and learn how to find resources. Visions are important to Lakota warriors and are a symbol of success. He had a vision when he was a teenager, which shaped the way he participated in battle, because the person present in his vision told him not to participate in certain Lakota war traditions. His major influence was when he witnessed a battle in which Warriors of his tribe were killed in mere minutes. From this, he strove to preserve the land of the Lakota Sioux and do whatever it took to preserve that land, even if it involved war.

Crazy Horse is an influential figure to this day. He led many rebellions against white colonists, who wished to use their territory for their own benefits. One of his most impactful feats was when he defeated General William Tecumseh Sherman in a series of attacks for gold. They came to an agreement that the natives would receive the , areas West of Missouri, and part of , and anyone who violated the treaty would be arrested. However, Crazy Horse decided to rebel yet again. He participated in many battles against European colonists, including the Battle of Rosebud and the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Even though he was eventually defeated through his arrest and death, he displays an example of true leadership. He inspires many to fight for causes which are dear to their hearts, and to never let Tashunka-Witko that love fade away. He is memorialized with the in the Black Hills, an unfinished statue of himself. He died on , 1877. (Crazy Horse)

The photo seen at left is one of his memorial. References (Catherine L.)

Author Unknown. Mar. 14, 2019. “Crazy Horse (Tashunka Witco).” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/crazy-horse.htm).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Sep. 1, 2020. “Crazy Horse.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Crazy-Horse).

Biography.com Editors. Oct. 14, 2020. “Crazy Horse Biography.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020.

(https://www.biography.com/military-figure/crazy-horse#citation)

Onion, Amanda, Missy Sullivan, and Matt Mullen. Aug. 31, 2020. “Crazy Horse.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/crazy-horse). N. Scott Momaday (1934 - Present)

Navarre Scott Momaday, more commonly known as N. Scott Momaday, was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, on February 27, 1934. His father is of the and his mother is part-. Many of his works contain not only Kiowa influences, but many other Native American influences as Momaday is an author, poet, and painter. Two well. He lived on , , and Pueblo reservations of his greatest achievements include both the Pulitzer when he was young. On these reservations, Momaday would Prize for Fiction (which he received for his novel House Made of Dawn in 1969) and using his works of develop an admiration for storytelling and its power. His literature to tell Kiowa stories. House Made of Dawn education includes a political science degree from the and his other novel The Ancient Child both explore University of and a master’s and eventually Ph. Native American marginalization and issues with D. in English from Stanford University. reconnecting to their heritage. Many of his poems explore human behavior, his Kiowa ancestry, and Kiowa spirituality. He has taught at universities and uses his work to tell Nativr American stories. Today, he lives in Santa Fe where he writes and paints. References Jourdon Moua The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2020. “N. Scott Momaday.” Retrieved

Nov. 9, 2020 (https://www.britannica.com/biography/N-Scott-Momaday).

Steed, Patricia L. “Momaday, Navarre Scott (1934-).” Retrieved Nov. 10,

2020 (https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MO007).

PBS. 2019. “N. Scott Momaday Biography.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020

(https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/n-scott-momaday-biography/1 2210/). (1788-1812)

She was a Native American woman who helped on the famous Lewis and Clark One major accomplishment that she did was involving Journey at the age of sixteen. She was born herself in the Corps of Discovery. This changed the world in 1788 in the Lemhi county in to her because we got to see a Native American become a leader. mother named, Otter Woman, and her father, Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark on their journey and was also a pretty good medicine woman. She was also a great Jean Baptiste. They named her Sacagawea interpreter. She made some discoveries of her own when which translates to “Bird Woman.” At the age traveling west. When the corps encountered a group of of 12 she was captured and was sold to a Indians, their leader happened to be her brother. French-Canadian trapper who later made him his wife. And at the age of 16 she was invited to join Lewis and Clark on their journey as a Shoshone Interpreter. References (Murtaza Wani)

History.com. Apr.5, 2010. “Sacagawea.” Retrieved Nov.10, 2020 ( https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/sacagawea).

Britannica.com. Mar.11, 2020. “Sacagawea.” Retrieved Nov.10, 2020(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sacagawea).

Biography.com. Apr.2, 2014. “Sacagawea Biography.” Retrieved Nov.10, 2020(https://www.biography.com/explorer/sacagawea). Since she was one of the very few natives from her tribe to make it this far, Deb Haaland (1960-Present Day) she wanted to do more for Native Americans in general. This sparked the start of her political career. She was Debra Anne Haaland, a Laguna involved in lots of volunteer opportunities Pueblo native, was born on that helped the increase of Native December 2, 1960 in Winslow, Americans. For example, she went to Arizona. She was raised in a military many native tribe fairs and talked to lots family which itself was a struggle. of people in order to support this They moved constantly because of movement. This led to a huge paid her father and were living paycheck to opportunity working for the Obama paycheck. She graduated with a campaign in 2012. She wasn’t satisfied Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1994. though so she made history on March 7, 2019 when she became the first Native She also wanted to earn her J.D. in American woman to ever take over the Indian law so she also got that in House of Representatives for voting 2006 from the University of Mexico rights. Today she uses this platform to School of Law. help issues such as voting rights and climate change for America. References (Nate Stephen)

Haaland House, Feb. 21, 2020. “Representative Debra Haaland.” Retrieved Nov.10, 2020 https://haaland.house.gov/about

Wernick, Adam, Dec. 11, 2018. “Native American Congresswoman-elect Deb Haaland is ready to get to work.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-12-18/native-american-congresswoman-elect-deb-haaland-ready-get-wor k

Jones, Rachel, Nov. 7, 2018. “Deb Haaland: "Why not me? Why not now?" Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2018/11/debra-haaland-first-native-american-congresswoman -new-mexico-midterm-election/#close

Known as Betty Marie Tall Chief, Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief She left the Ruse in 1947, and later became the first American to dance with the Paris was born on January 24, 1925 in Fairfax, Oklahoma, which was Opera Ballet. She was with them for 18 years, and in that time she was a lead creator of the a town on an Osage . She was of Osage and choreography, the company’s prima ballerina, and earned her prominence in tons of her Scotch-Irish origin. Her mother had grown up poor, and wasn’t performances. By being the company’s prima ballerina, she made a significant mark in able to afford dance lessons, so she immediately placed breaking discriminatory barriers for Native Americans, and was also one of the only Tallchief and her sister Marjorie in them at a young age. She Americans given recognition in European ballet companies. When she did finally retire in excelled at dance, and later moved with her family to California 1965, she founded the ballet school of the Lyric Opera in , and became the artistic hoping to find more significant opportunities. Unfortunately, director of the Chicago City Ballet. Throughout all of this, she honored her Native American they were limited due to Native American discrimination. This history, and spoke out against discrimination and injustice both in society and dance. In 1996 didn’t slow her, and she went on to explore different dance she was sworn into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and also received the Kennedy genres, eventually finding interest in ballet, and unlocking her Center Honor. She was also part of the America for Indian Opportunity, and directed the outstanding ability in it. After graduating from high school, she Indian Council Fire Achievement Award. These groups opened tons of new doors and joined the Ballet Ruse, which was a prestigious Russian Ballet opportunities for Native Americans all over, which led more indiginous people to become company in the . Her career began to skyrocket involved in traditionally white events and activities. Her impact on ballet was felt all over the after receiving many positive reviews on her performances in world, and shed a new light on the capabilities of Native Americans. many works, and because of this many people tried to convince her to change her last name so that she wouldn’t be discriminated against in the dance world. She refused to do this, and went on performing as . Maria Tallchief References (Helena Yiangou)

Britannica. April. 8, 2020. “Maria Tallchief.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Tallchief)

Norwood, Arlisha R. 2017. “Maria Tallchief.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/maria-tallchief)

Thomas, Heather. Nov. 19, 2020. “Maria Tallchief: Osage Prima Ballerina.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2019/11/maria-tallchief-osage-prima-ballerina/) Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo, who’s indigenous name is Joy Joy Harjo first wrote a book filled with nine Foster, was born on the 9th of May, 1951, in poems called The Last Song in 1975. It Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joy Harjo was part of the received high acclaim as it talked about the Creek Nation with her father loss of identity and history for indigenous being a famous sheet-metal worker in the people. Later she wrote many more poems Muscogee Creek Nation and her mother such as The Lady Who Fell from the Sky being a waitress and part Cherokee. When which talks about modern society and how she was young she was abused by her there is creation and destruction now more father and later her stepfather, but she than ever. Overall she wrote many poems always had music and art to comfort her, about the struggle between modern society due to the fact that her mother wrote songs, and the indigenous people of America. She her aunt was an artist, and her grandmother earned many medals and prizes due to her played the saxophone. Due to the abuse amazing poetry skills and because of how she had trouble in school and was kicked she was able to encapsulate the feeling of out of the house by her step-father at age division between the old and the new. Joy 16, but she was able to overcome the Harjo changed the world by shedding light challenges by going to the Institute of on the struggles and divide the indigenous American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, New people feel in today’s world. Mexico, which allowed her to fully express and understand her creative side. Afterwards she went to the University of New Mexico as a Pre-Med student but later realized that art was all around her and that her calling was to make more art for the world. Adam Acs References Encyclopaedia Britannica. May. 5, 2020. “Joy Harjo.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joy-Harjo).

Kerri Lee Alexander. 2020. “Joy Harjo.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/joy-harjo).

Poetry Foundation. 2020. “Joy Harjo.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020

(https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/joy-harjo). Susan La Flesche Picotte

Born , 1865 on the in Susan excelled at , graduating a year , Susan La Flesche Picotte lived to serve her early and first in her class. She then chose to reject a community until her death on September 18, 1915. comfortable life as a doctor on the east coast and Her father, Chief Iron Eye, taught his children tribe returned to the Omaha reservation to become the traditions, but also pushed them to be educated in the sole doctor in over 400 miles. Working tirelessly to Euro-American fashion. He believed in adapting to serve her community, Susan opened the firsthospital white society while maintaining Omaha culture. This on a reservation that was not funded by the mindset led Susan to learn English at a young age and government in 1913. Susan was more than just a apply to the Woman’s Medical College of doctor: she served as a lawyer, accountant, priest, Pennsylvania, a vocation women were often scorned and political liaison to all who need her. As time for pursuing. As a child, Susan witnessed racism went on, she began to experience the effects firsthand as a white doctor neglected to save an assimilation had on Omaha culture. Alcoholism, Omaha woman who died in front of her, possibly drug use, and suicide were some of the challenges she contributing to her decision to become a doctor. fought to prevent; her work is crucial to inspiring Susan’s unique upbringing contributed to her later Native Americans today to face challenges in today’s work and likely guided her decision to work with society and pursue their dreams. Her story is an Native American communities throughout her inspiration to all; she showed that hard work and medical career. determination is all one needs to bring good to the world. Owen Zeller

References

Nebraska Studies. 2020. “Susan La Flesche Picotte.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020

(http://www.nebraskastudies.org/en/1875-1899/susan-la-flesche-picotte-first-na-female-/).

National Park Service. 2020. “Susan La Flesche Picotte.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020

(https://www.nps.gov/people/susan-la-flesche-picotte.html).

Vaughan, Carson. 2017. “The Incredible Story of Susan La Flesche, the First Native American to Earn a Medical Degree.”

Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020

(https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/incredible-legacy-susan-la-flesche-first-native-american-earn-medical-degree-

180962332/). DENNIS J BANKS

Dennis Banks was born on April 12, 1937. Into the Ojibwa or Chippewa tribe. His native name is Nowacumig. When Banks was five, he was forced to go to the Pipestern Indian School. In this school, they were forced to speak English and punished when they said their native language. He continued his schooling and then joined the air force for five years until he was dispatched to Minnesota. In 1964, he was jailed for three years due to burglary, while his Banks and AIM did many things to protect and raise awareness for the Native American White accomplice received probation. Unable community. In the Beginnings of AIM, Banks helped prevent many police cases of abuse to find a job once he was out of prison, Banks against Native Americans. As AIM brought attention to all 50 states, protests on a bigger turned to crime and ended up on probation. He then violated his parole and was placed in scale occurred. In 1969, AIM activists seized the abandoned Alcatraz federal prison, claiming it Minnesota’s Stillwater State Prison. While he as taken land and demanding a cultural and educational center established there. President was there, he read up on the civil war Nixon offered to do this, but it was ultimately disregarded. Banks and several other AIM movement, the anti-war movement, and the members engaged in a week-long takeover of the St. Paul Fort Snelling Military Base. The black panthers, along with Native American group intended to build an Indian Survival School there, but before the senator could negotiate and Indian treaties. Out of prison, once again, with them, a SWAT team raided the building and removed the protestors. As more and more Banks had a determination to improve the lives protests were forcibly shut down, fires were fueled across the nation. The group demanded of Native Americans. Once he left prison, he how there should be a government revamp to the BIA, restore the power to Native Americans never wanted another one of his people to be discriminated against or to have another to fix broken treaties, and create a review board to study treaty violations. With no answer, AIM aspect of their culture taken once again. In July ransacked the BIA building for files on federal mistreating of Native Americans. Banks told a 1968, Banks, along with other people, made reporter if this is the only way to bring change for the Native American community, you can AIM. This movement was fueled by how Native count on me doing it 365 days a year. Eventually, most of the demands were made, and Americans were forced off their ancestral lands federal funding was provided to investigate the status of Indian reservations, but funding was and put in urban areas. cut after only 2 weeks. DENNIS BANKS sources

Encyclopedia.com. Dec 6, 2020. Banks, Dennis J, Banks. Retrieved Nov 9, 2020. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/law-biographies/dennis-j-banks.

Camila Domonoski. Oct 3, 2017. Dennis Banks, Native American Activist and Wounded Knee Occupier Dies at 80. Retrieved Nov 9, 2020. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/30/560918855/dennis-banks-native-american-activist-and-wounded-knee-oc cupier-dies-at-80

Robbert D. Mcfadden. Oct 30, 2017. Dennis Banks, American Civil Rights Leader, Dies at 80. Retrieved Nov 10 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/obituaries/dennis-banks-dead.html Billy Mills Billy Mills, also known as Tamakoce Te' Hila, was born on June 30, 1938, in Pine At the 1964 Olympics, Mills proved Ridge Indian Reservation, located in South everyone his worth and shocked the world. Dakota. Mills' childhood wasn't the easiest; He set a world record of 28 minutes, 24.4 he was born into generational poverty and seconds, and today, is still the only orphaned at 12 due to his parents' passing. American to win a gold medal in a 10m Running became his escape from reality; his race. He achieved his life goal. His win was gift for running made a statement in high labeled as the second most significant school, as he set records in numerous track moment in Olympic history. In Lakota events. He earned a track scholarship from culture, someone who accomplishes the University of Kansas and had success in striking success gives back to their family his track career. While taking a post-race and friends' to thank for their loyal support. photo with his All-American team during His giveaway to his community was college, the photographer told him to move dedicating the rest of his life to empower out of the frame due to his dark skin tone. American Indians. He founded the "Running As a result, he had a mental breakdown and Strong for American Indian Youth" to unite didn’t think he was going to continue life communities with necessities and and his passion. Fortunately, Mills motivation. Even after 56 years, Billy Mills' reminisced the words his dad once told him iconicity still inspires many American and instantly had a different perspective on Indians and others worldwide and has himself. He wrote down that his goal was to helped them gain self-sufficiency and win the Olympic 10,000-meter run. self-esteem. Sources (Mia Tonnu)

Simmons, Dan. 2020. “'I Healed A Broken Soul': Billy Mills' Unexpected 1964 Olympic Win.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 (https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2020/05/22/billy-mills-olympic-gold-runner).

World Athletics. 2020. “Billy Mills: Reflecting on his epic victory at the 1964 Olympic Games, racism in America and a return to Tokyo.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 (https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/billy-mills-1964-olympics-10000m).

Wise, Mike. 2014. “After 50 years, Billy Mills’ Olympic gold-medal moment still being felt.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/after-50-years-billy-millss-olympic-gold-medal-moment-still-b eing-felt/2014/10/26/2525f1da-5be3-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html). Pocahontas was the daughter of the Great Powhatan, who was the ruler of the Powhatan tribal nation, which was located in . Her exact birthdate is unknown, however many historians believe that she was born in 1595. The name “Pocahontas” was actually not Pocahontas her real name. Her real name was Mataoka. “Pocahontas” was a nickname that was given to her by John Smith, which was how she was referred as later on. What mainly influenced her was the capture of Captain John Smith, who was a colonist that was captured by her brother and was about to be killed by the Powhatans. Later on, she also helped the colonist survive by providing them with food and she helped successfully negotiate the release of Powhatan prisoners in 1608.

Pocahontas was captured at the age of 17, in 1612, by the English while she was on a social visit. She was held hostage for over a year at Jamestown. Later though, John Rolfe helped her escape and later she married him. She then became “Rebecca Rolfe” and shortly they had a son together. Her accomplishments were that she helped the English men that settled near her home, even though they later kidnapped her and didn’t respect her. Many myths were later written about her especially by John Smith. However, she is remembered for her kindness and generosity towards others and her story is important because it highlights the problems that she overcame.

References (Julia Bizon) biography.com. October 13, 2020. “Pocahontas Biography.” Retrieved November 10, 2020

(https://www.biography.com/historical-figure/pocahontas). hartford-hwp.com. No date of publication. “The Pocahontas myth.” Retrieved November 16, 2020

(http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/41/358.html). history.com. September 1, 2018. “5 Myths About Pocahontas.” Retrieved November 16, 2020

(https://www.history.com/news/5-myths-about-pocahontas). Charles Chibitty Chibitty and sixteen other men Charles Chibitty was born on November joined the group of Native-speaking code 20, 1921 in the Wichita Mountains in talkers. He went to for basic Oklahoma. He grew up speaking his native training and then to for radio language of Comanche. Chibitty’s name training. Chibitty and the others created a means “holding on good” in Comanche. At dictionary of one hundred words from the his elementary school, Indian Comanche language to use for the code. School, he was not allowed to speak his This code was never broken. The missions native language or he would be punished. Chibitty went on included D-Day, Saint Lô, Once he got to high school, at Haskell Hurtgen Forest, the and Indian School, he was allowed to speak the rescue of the lost battalion. “Five miles to Comanche. He, along with many of his the right of the designated area and five peers, exchanged their traditional clothes miles inland, the fighting is fierce, and we or hairstyles for uniforms and short need help,” Chibitty spoke this phrase in style hair. In his highschool he their Comanche code. With many more heard that the U.S. military was trying to messages like this one he and the other create a native-speaking group. With sixteen code talkers are credited with saving permission from his mother he enlisted. thousands of lives and ultimately shortening the war. Their code was never broken. References (Sydney Weschcke)

Buell, Erica. 2018. “ The Code Talkers of World War ll.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 (https://www.ussnautilus.org/the-men-with-the-unbreakable-code/). Myers, Jim. 1999. “ Last is Honored.” Retrieved Nov. 10, 2020 (https://tulsaworld.com/archive/last-code-talker-is-honored/article_8e7cd53f-426e-5220-8f2d-661e996e9a0a.html). Quinn, Ruth. 2012. “Charles Chibitty: Comanche Code-Talker.” Retrieved Nov. 9, 2020 (https://www.army.mil/article/90294/charles_chibitty_comanche_code_talker). Jerry C. Elliott

Jerry C. Elliott or High Eagle born in 1943 was a native american who was the first native american to be inducted into the prestige of NASA. In his early life he always believed in getting people to the moon, and to that extent even claims to have a vision as a child that told to put people on the moon. Never abandoning his childhood dreams he made his way to oklahoma college to pursue a degree but was sadly unable to continue as a result of a culturally clash and racism, his stepfather's death, and financial difficulties. In response however where one may become complacent and move on he stuck to his dream and eventually managed to become the first native american to graduate the with a degree in physics. His early life was one of hard work and determination for his dream something that no amount of racial policies in oklahoma against native americans could affect his desire for the moon.

After Graduation he managed to snag a job at NASA becoming the first native american to work their in the process. In his long career at NASA he was granted many positions within the agency such as a “flight dynamics retrofire officer” which means that he was reasonable for calculating the path the missions followed leading him to be present and for his work to affect apollo 11 itself fulfilling his dream of putting a man on the moon. After finally putting a man on the moon his determination did not waver and he became the highly coveted program staff engineer for the first Russian American joint space mission. Again after achieving a major goal he strived to continue in his work resulting in his assignment as ground support for the first american space station a critically important role. After all that still at NASA he co-founds the American Indian Science And Engineering Society as a way to encourage more native americans to get into the sciences and help progress the world. References

Francisco, Edna. 2004 “Science: A Spiritual Journey of Discovery” Retrieved Nov. 11, 2020 ffffffff(https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2004/10/science-spiritual-journey-discovery)

KickingWomen, Kolby. 2019 “Moon landing: 'Great amount of pride being the only Native person on the control team'” Retrieved Nov. 11 , 2020 fffffff(https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/moon-landing-great-amount-of-pride-being-the-only-native-person-on-the-control-team-0W65If-hWEmKk0RCNGzjNg)

Conley, R., 2007. A Cherokee Encyclopedia. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. Retrieved Nov. 11 , 2020

Patrick Seeberger Sherman Alexie Jr.was born on October 7, 1966 in Wellpinit, Spokane Indian Reservation, which is near Spokane, Washington. His indigenous name is the same as Sherman Alexie his regular name, but his nickname is Junior. When he was only six months old he had congenital hydrocephalus and later suffered harsh consequences, like seizures through his youth. Because of his physical incapabilities he became a very avid reader which led to his academic success and love of writing. His grandmother, who was the spiritual leader of Spokane, greatly influenced him as well. Later on he attended a predominantly white high school in Reardan where he flourished both socially and academically; becoming both an honour student and class president.

Alexie’s accomplishments have been the literature he has produced in his many fictional books, one example being The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. This book won a National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and is greatly drawn from his own life. He has also published memoirs, poetry books, and wrote a screenplay for an adaptation of one of his short stories. This is important because representation of Native American voices and perspectives are severely lacking. Literature and media allows those voices to be heard and amplified and his works are a prime example of just that. As they share and show a close look into the perspective and lives of Native Americans we can better understand, be aware, and appreciate the beauty of their culture and communities. References (Ella Walters)

Kathleen Kuiper. Aug 11, 2010. “Sherman Alexie.” Retrieved Nov. 11, 2020.

(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sherman-Alexie).

Laurie Hertzel. Oct. 30, 2017. “Writer Sherman Alexie is back on the road: 'I averted a crisis.'” Retrieved Nov. 11, 2020

(https://www.startribune.com/writer-sherman-alexie-is-back-on-the-road-i-averted-a-crisis/443095923/?refresh=true).

Lynn Cline. “About Sherman Alexie: A Profile.” Retrieved Nov. 11, 2020.

(https://www.pshares.org/issues/winter-2000/about-sherman-alexie-profile). Wilma Pearl Mankiller, November 18, 1945 – April 6, 2010) was a Cherokee activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, she lived on her family's allotment in Adair County, Oklahoma, until the age of 11, when her family relocated to as part of a federal government program to urbanize Native Americans. After high school, she married an Ecuadorian and raised two daughters. Inspired by the social and political movements of the , Mankiller became involved in the and later participated in the land and compensation struggles with the Pit River Tribe. For five years in the early 1970s, she was employed as a social worker, focusing mainly on children's issues.

Returning to Oklahoma in the fall of 1976, Mankiller was hired by the Cherokee Nation as an economic stimulus coordinator. She progressed into grant writing and by the early 1980s, was directing the newly-created Community Development Department of the Cherokee Nation. Using her expertise in preparing documentation, which she had learnt during her activist period in California, she was successful in obtaining government funds. She designed and supervised community projects that allowed rural citizens to identify their own challenges and, through their labor, participate in solving them. Her project in Bell, Oklahoma, became a successful model for later projects and was featured in a movie, while her project in Kenwood received the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Certificate of National Merit. Her management ability came to the notice of the incumbent Principal Chief, , who invited her to run as his deputy in the 1983 tribal elections. When the duo won, she became the first elected woman to serve as Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She was elevated to Principal Chief when Swimmer took a position in the federal administration of the . References(Yahya Ali)

Biography.com. Oct 14, 2020 “Wilma Mankiller.” Retrieved Nov. 11, 2020.

WomenHistory. “Wilma Mankiller.” Retrieved Nov,11 2020.

Time.com. May 5th, 2020 “Wilma Mankiller.” Retrieved Nov.11, 2020. Ben Nighthorse Campbell was born in Auburn,California, on April 13, 1933, he was a politician, U.S. representative, U.S senator and was is part of the forty-four members of the council of Chiefs of the , when Ben was Ben Nighthorse young he had moved to america with his family as a immigrant When Ben was a kid had been getting into trouble with parents barley being around he was stealing guns shoplifting and other things, most of the time his mother was constantly being hospitalized with in and his father was an alcoholic who was not helping his family, by the age of 12 Ben’s mother had put him and his youngest sister Alberta into a orghanpage, Ben’s life begin to change after high school when he served in the U.S. Air Force when the U.S had joined South Korea in its fight against North Korea, after that he had entered san jose university and had graduated and earn his bachelor's degree. He was hired as a pilot after college and had a order to deliver jewelry and it was canceled to bad weather but he had gone to the a meeting of Colorado Democrats who were seeking a candidate for the state's Fifty-ninth House District, at the meeting they were asking campbell to run for the house district so he did and surprisingly he had won and earned himself 2 years in the state legislature, after 2 years he had won 3 times in a row and won 6 years. After that he had ran for senator and he had won and won the following election, after those last years as the senator he had decided to join 44 members of the council of chiefs of the northern cheyenne tribe.

References(Zachary Subi)

Viola, Herman J. july 27, 2015 “Ben Nighthorse Campbell Biography” retrieved Nov.11 2020

( https://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Campbell-Ben-Nighthorse.html)

Harland C. Clifford Nov 31, 2019 “Campbell, Nighthouse”

(https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/historians-miscellaneous-biographies/ben-nighthorse-campbell)