It’s no surprise that you have an easier time naming historic African Americans than famous Native Americans who made history; this is because African Americans generally pay more attention to colonialism and oppression than Native Americans who suffered and continue to suffer similar oppression from white imperialism.
The Native Americans who owned and ruled the lands known as America today are a minority, constantly struggling against the greed of American corporations and governments trying to claim their lands for their resources. Today, battles are fought in courts and demonstrations in front of buildings, whereas before war was fought with spears and knives. Many Native Americans lost their lives and loved ones to colonial ruthlessness and greed.
You would be surprised to know that even though the first arrival of settlers on the shores of America was met with skepticism; they were eventually accepted by Native Americans. However, the sharing of resources sparked a long war between the two factions which continues to this day.
As each generation of Native Americans stood in the protection of their heritage, various great men and women emerged in the fight to protect the peoples and their culture. In this list, we take a look at 10 famous Native Americans who made history in their fight to protect their heritage. It is important to note that this list appears in no particular order.
1. Red Cloud (1822 – 1909)
In a list of famous Native Americans who made history, it is appropriate to begin with one of the warriors whose actions helped to protect the culture and heritage of his people. Red Cloud was one of the bravest men in history to face the United States military. A warrior from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) tribe, Red Cloud (real name Makhpiya Luta) led his fellow warriors into battle against the US Army and won a victory that gave the battle the name War. The battle was for the right of Powder River Country in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. Having won, Red Cloud became the leader of his tribe on the reservation.
2. Will Rogers (1879 – 1935)
As modern life approached, there was a period of peace between Native Americans and colonial residents, which became a period of coexistence between the two groups. During this time, some Native Americans voluntarily chose to participate in American life and some even excelled at it. One of them was William Peen Adair Rogers, a Native American famous for his skills as an actor, social commentator, philanthropist, comedian and, at the height of his career, presidential candidate. He was a Cherokee cowboy who set the world record for throwing three ropes at a time. He has had 71 movie credits in his entertainment career and over 4000 newspaper columns in his writing career. He unfortunately died in a plane crash in 1935.
3. Sitting Bull (1831 – 1890) – Famous Native Americans Who Made History
Warriors and fighters who fought against the white invaders will always remain important names in Native American history. Sitting Bull, whose name is as important in Native American history as Abraham Lincoln is in American history, is one such noble warrior. He fought in the Sioux War which resulted in the death of George Armstrong Custer in 1876. He was then forced to flee to Canada and did not return until 1881 after a pardon and was placed on a reservation. Until his death, he was a strong voice for the protection of Native American heritage.
4. Pocahontas (1595-1617)
Pochantas’ name has featured prominently in Disney’s Princess Directory list and, more recently, in Donald Trump’s mockery of Senator Elizabeth Warren, but her real story goes far beyond what Americans have made her out to be. Pocahontas is one of many famous Native American personalities who made history. She spent her life as a peacemaker between her tribe and the English residing in Virginia. One of the popular stories about her is that she saved the life of Captain John Smith, who was about to be executed by the Powhatan. She was later captured and held hostage in exchange for English prisoners at the hands of the Powhatan tribe. She eventually married an Englishman, John Rolfe, and went to England as a princess. Her marriage to the English man endured the peace between the Powhatan and the English. She died leaving behind a child, Thomas Rolfe.
5. Maria Tallchief (1925 – 2013)
While Pocahontas uplifted American Indians’ reputation through kindness and marriage, Maria Tallchief did so through art. The popular American ballerina was of Osage descent. Having decided to pursue a career in the arts, she trained as a pianist and dancer. She eventually took up classical dancing and perfected herself under icons such as Bronislava, Ernest Belcher and George Balanchine. Maria Tallchief performed for many years, contributing to the growth of American Ballet. She received many honors during her lifetime, including a final recognition from President Bill Clinton in 1999, when he presented Maria with the National Medal of Arts.
6. Sacajawea (1784 – 1884 (?)
The exact year of his death is not known, but what remains debatable are his contributions to the Native American community and all the greatness during his lifetime. Sacajawea is one of the most famous Native Americans to have made history. She is famous for being the North American guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition that explored the Louisiana Purchase. Sacajawea, who was originally captured from her tribe – the Shoshone, was an interpreter and helped the Americans navigate the new territory she knew better as she had previously lived there with her tribe. She was married to Toussaint Charbonneau and is believed to have died in 1884, although some historians claim she died in 1812. Her discovery helped the Americans extend their reach to the Pacific Ocean.
7. John Herrington (1958 – present)
The integration of Native Americans into American life has resulted in some remarkable achievements. One of them is John Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He is a former American astronaut, who flew into space in 2002, becoming the first Native American to go into space. He was born in Wetumka, Oklahoma. A former navy pilot, he also holds a degree in applied mathematics.
While flying to international space at the station, he carried a Chickasaw Nation flag to the ISS. The flag was presented to him by the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby. He is a member of the United States National Hall of Fame and the International Air and Space Hall of Fame. It’s easy to see why he made this people lose the famous Native Americans who made history.
8.Charles Curtis (1860 – 1936)
With the inevitable victory of Caucasian invaders invading Native American lands, the survival and protection of Native Americans is no longer achievable through knives and spears, but through laws and diplomacy. Charles Curtis is one of the men who helped create a more peaceful coexistence of whites with Native Americans. A half-Native American who helped create the Curtis Act. Member of the United States Congress from 1892 to 1906, United States Senator from 1907 to 1913, from 1915 to 1929, he was Vice President under Herbert Hoover in 1928. Although he was part of the Native American nation, he spent three years on a reservation in Kaw and studied law as a Topeka lawyer.
9. Scott Momaday (1934 – present)
For the creative and talented, art is a sure path to greatness. Alongside technological invention, art is a form of greatness that lives on forever after the death of the creator. Although N. Scott Momaday is not yet dead, he created works that will live on after him, echoing the sounds of his greatness. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1969 for his novel, House Made of Dawn.
He is the child of two different tribes, a father who was a Kiowa Indian and a mother of Cherokee ancestry. He has several essays and a memoir to his name. Engaged in all branches of art, he is also a painter to whom some of his works have been illustrated. He currently teaches creative writing and English.
10. Sequoyah (1766 – 1843)
Language – it is the very tool that historians are identified to be responsible for our evolution and the creation of complex societies. Our ability to connect with all types of spectrum has helped us build bigger communities and achieve great things. In a battle for their heritage and existence, language was a necessary tool to help different tribes of Native Americans communicate and work together against colonial invaders. It was also necessary to understand their enemy. It was a tool that was given to Native Americans by Sequoyah. He was a Native American leader who created the Cherokee syllabary. He taught thousands of Native Americans to read and write, and with his help, the Cherokee became the leader of the Native American community.
Other famous Native Americans who made history include Leslie Marmon Silko, Jim Thorpe, Wovoka, Uncas, among many others.