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Indian Influence & Contributions
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Indians Everyone Should Know!


Several years ago, my daughter brought home an assignment from school
which included a list of "100 Great Americans".  I looked the list over and
of course, discovered that not one American Indian person was included in
it.  I went to my office and promptly typed up a list of 100 Great American
Indians.  I gave this list to my daughter to give to her teacher.  I recall
hearing that the teacher was a bit surprised and perhaps a little defensive.
Oh well, it was her day to learn that Indians are alive and well, and should
  be included in any and all classroom discussions about "Great Americans".
Hence, the creation of this page.  Please feel free to print this and share it!
 

PAST

Caonabo - Taino
Taino Headman who discovered Columbus

Crazy Horse - Oglala Lakota
Quiet, strong-hearted and courageous leader of the Lakota Nation.
Murdered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska in 1877.

Goyahkla ('Geronimo') - Chiricahua Apache
A genius guerilla warrior who fought to the end for his people.
Imprisoned at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Wanted to see his homeland
before he passed away.  Died in prison a sad, old man in 1909.

Pocahontas - Algonquian
Daughter of Wahunsenacawh.  Saved John Smith's life.  Married John Rolfe.
Went with him to England.  Was dubbed 'Lady Rebecca Rolfe'.  Died in England in 1616.
Buried in a cemetary in England under a headstone that reads 'Rebecca Rolfe'.

Sitting Bull - Hunkpapa Lakota
Powerful leader, holy man and headman for the Lakota Nation.
Murdered in 1890.

Pontiac - Odawa
Great leader of the Odawa Nation.  His people were the first in the world
to experience bio-chemical warfare - in the form of smallpox infested blankets,
a gift from the United States of America.  Murdered near Cahokia, Illinois in 1769.

Junaluska - Tsalagi (Cherokee)
Saved Andrew Jackson's life.  Jackson later became President, and 'thanked'
Junaluska with his 'Indian Relocation Act', which defied the U.S. Supreme
Court and brought about the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation.

Red Cloud - Oglala Lakota
Headman and War General for the Lakota Nation.  Officially won a war against
the United States of America, resulting in the Treaty of 1868, which the U.S. has
never honored.  Became a spokesman for the Lakota in his later years.

Coosaponakeesa (Creek Mary) - Muscogee
Dubbed the 'Empress of the Creek Nation', she was bi-lingual and highly intelligent.
She gathered and brought Muscogee (Creek) forces to reclaim their rightful land in
the 1750's.  A battle never happened and she was imprisoned.  Died in 1763.

Lozen - Chiricahua Apache
This incredible woman was considered by many Apaches to be 'the greatest warrior
who ever lived'.  Surrendered with Geronimo in 1886.  Died in prison.

John 'Fire' Lame Deer - Oglala Lakota
Spiritual elder and holy man, and author of an autobiography - Seeker of Visions

Quanah Parker - Kwahadi Commache
Brilliant war general for the Commanche Nation.  Fought fiercely to save the ways
and lands of his people.  Later, became a successful business man.  Died in 1911.

Tocmetone - Sarah Winnemucca - Numa (Northern Paiute)
Born in 1844.  Her father was a holy man.  She became a writer, and outspoken
advocate for her people, lecturing in cities across the U.S.  Wrote a memoir
entitled: Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims.  Died in 1891.

Ten Bears - Yamperethka Commanche
Great orator and leader for the Commanche people.  Died in October of 1872.

Black Elk - Oglala Lakota
Holy Man of the Lakota Nation.  Authored two books, Black Elk Speaks, and
The Sacred Pipe.  Born in 1863.  Entered the Spirit world in 1950.

Standing Bear - Ponca
Exceptional leader and speaker.  Went to Supreme Court in 1879 and won a
landmark case which, for the first time, stated that Indians were human beings.
It still took nearly 100 years for this concept to gain acceptance in mainstream
American society.

Will Rogers - Tsalagi (Cherokee)
Famous Cherokee philosopher, writer, humorist, actor, rope spinner and cowboy.
Born in 1879 in Indian Territory - Oklahoma.  Died in a tragic plane crash in 1935.

Jim Thorpe - Sac & Fox
Considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time.  Served as president of
the newly formed 'National Football League'(NFL) in 1920.

John Ross - Tsalagi (Cherokee)
A leader among the Cherokee people.  Helped to get the Western Band Cherokee
Nation on its feet after the infamous 'Trail of Tears'.

Ohiyesa (Charles Eastman) - Dakota
Famed orator and author of several books, including Soul of the Indian
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PRESENT

Wilma Mankiller - Tsalagi (Cherokee)
Former Principal Chief of the Western Band Cherokee Nation

Ben Nighthorse Campbell - Southern Cheyenne
Senator for the State of Colorado

Winona Laduke - Anishinabe
Vice-Presidential running mate to Ralph Nader
Civil rights and environmental activist

Danial Akaka - Hawaiian
Senator for the State of Hawaii

Tantoo Cardinal - Metis/Cree
Actress who played major role in Dances with Wolves and many other films

Russell Means - Oglala Lakota
Actor, writer, speaker and political activist.  Played in the movie
Last of the Mohicans, and was the voice of Pocahontas' father in
the Disney fantasy animated cartoon epic, Pocahontas.

Floyd Red Crow Westerman - Lakota
Actor - played 'Ten Bears' in Dances with Wolves, and has appeared
in countless movies throughout his career.

Susan Harjo - Cheyenne
President of the Morning Star Foundation

Joseph Bruchac - Abenakee
Author of many great books on the wisdom of Indian storytelling

Vine Deloria Jr., Phd. - Oglala Lakota
Author of many great books on American Indian issues

R. Carlos Nakai - Dineh/Ute
A premier name in American Indian cedar flute music

Diane Glancy - Cherokee
Poet and author of several wonderful books

Leonard Crow Dog - Oglala Lakota
Noted spiritual leader, played a major role with AIM in the 60's & 70's

Graham Greene - Oneida
Actor - played 'Kicking Bird' in Dances with Wolves, and has appeared
in dozens of other films, often playing roles which thankfully are not your
atypical 'Indian' roles.

Joseph M. Marshall III - Sicangu/Oglala Lakota
One of the founders of the Sinte Gleska College on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
Prolific author of many great books, including The Lakota Way, The Journey of
Crazy Horse, and Walking with Grandfather.

Dennis Banks - Anishinabe
Political activist and author, played a major role with AIM

Wes Studi - Cherokee
Actor - played in: Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo,
Heat, and several other notable movies.

Pamela Medahko - Odawa
Woman of the Year in Michigan.  Tribal Liaison for the Little River Band Ottawa Nation

John Two-Hawks - Oglala Lakota
One of the world's premier American Indian flutists and musicians.  Also
an actor, author, teacher and political activist, and the reason this site exists!
You didn't think we'd leave Mr. Two-Hawks out of this list now did you?

This very 'partial' list will continue to grow....
(apologies to anyone not yet listed)
Compiled by John Two-Hawks


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