FEBRUARY 2022

CREEK LT. COL. ERNEST CHILDERS BORN–WWII MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER Born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, attended Chilocco Indian Agricultural School with Jack C. Montgomery (see February 22) before joining the Oklahoma … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 1, 1918”

HALELOKE KAHAUOLOPUA BORN– NATIVE HAWAIIAN ALTO SINGER Born in Hilo, Hawaii, into a musical family, Haleloke sang in glee clubs in high school.  Her musical career began as a featured vocalist … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 2, 1923”

REPUTED—MAYAN AJAW (PIEDRO NEGRAS) K’INICH YO’NAL AHK I DIED Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I, also known as Ruler 1, was an ajaw (leader) of Piedras Negras whose name may have meant “Great-Sun-Turtle.”  … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 3, 639”

CHEROKEE PRINCIPAL CHIEF DENNIS BUSHYHEAD DIED       Born near present Cleveland in Bradley County, Tennessee, on March 18, 1826, his father, Reverend Jesse Bushyhead, was a Baptist minister and … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 4, 1898”

CRYSTLE LIGHTNING BORN—CREE ACTRESS/MUSICIAN/ACTIVIST Born in Edmonton, Alberta, of the Enoch Cree Nation, Crystle began in show business when her family moved from Canada to Los Angeles.  At age 9, Crystle … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 5, 1981”

BATTLE OF ANDALIEN Fought at night, the battle pitted 20,000 Mapuche under the command of their toqui, Ainavillo, against Pedro de Valdiva’s’s 200 Spaniards and 300 Mapochoes under Michimalanco.  Reaching the … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 6, 1550”

INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR CONFERENCE (ICC) GAINS U.N. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION STATUS  On this date, the United Nations granted Category II Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status to the ICC, an international Inuit organization formed in … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 7, 1983”

KAW MEMBER CHARLES CURTIS DIED– FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT Born January 25, 1860, in Topeka, Kansas, Curtis was a member of the Kaw Tribe.  At age 8, he trekked on foot … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 8, 1936”

CANADIAN DENE ELDER QUILLWORKER SARAH HARDISTY DIED Born in Jean Marie River, Northwest Territories (NWT), on July 17, 1924, Sarah’s family lived a traditional life—summers in Jean Marie; winters at Fish … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 9, 2014”

SNUNEYMUXW SOCCER STAR XUL-SI-MALT (HARRY MANSON) DIED Born on Vancouver Island in 1879, his birth name meant “One-Who-Leaves-His-Mark.”  Recruited by the Nanaimo Thistles in 1898 to play in the provincial championship, … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 10, 1912”

ARAPAHO ACTIVIST VIOLA HATCH LEADS CROSS-COUNTRY WALK On this date, Viola Hatch (shown in 1970 photo) helped commence the “Women’s Healing Walk for Family and Mother Earth” starting in Los Angeles, … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 11, 1996”

YANKTON DAKOTA EDUCATOR ETHNOGRAPHER AŊPÉTU WAŠTÉ WIŊ (ELLA DELORIA) DIED Born January 31, 1889, on the Yankton Reservation, South Dakota, her name meant “Beautiful Day.”  Her father converted to Christianity and, … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 12, 1971”

MI’KMAQ EVERETT SANIPASS BORN–NHL PLAYER Born in Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick (NB), Everett began his hockey career in Richibucto, NB.  After Midget hockey, he played in the Quebec Major Junior … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 13, 1968”

CALLAN CHYTHLOOK-SIFSOF BORN– YUPIK/INUPIAT CHAMPION SNOWBOARDER Born in rural Aleknagit, Alaska, Callan learned to snowboard on nearby hills.  When her family moved to Girwood, Alaska, she began formal training.  She started … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 14, 1989”

KAKE WAR WITH THE TLINGIT After Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867, the US Army was assigned to oversee the new territory.  General Jefferson C. Davis entertained clan … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 15, 1869”

HO-CHUNK CHIEF WANIG-SUCHKA (RED BIRD) DIED Born about 1788, he gained his name either because he wore a red coat and called himself English, or wore on each shoulder, in place … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 16, 1828”

HAWAIIAN GUITARIST MARY KA’AIHUE (KAYE) DIED–FIRST LADY OF ROCK Born on January 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mary was granddaughter of Prince Kuhio, brother of Queen Liliuokalani, last monarch of Hawaii.  At … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 17, 2007”

GUATEMALAN MAYAN PAINTER ANDRÉS CURRUCHICH DIED Curruchich was born on January 19, 1891, in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala.  Curruchich began painting in the 1920s to earn extra money.  His work depicted … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 18, 1969”

DAVID LAʻAMEA KAHALEPOULI KINOIKI KAWĀNANAKOA BORN– HAWAIIAN PRINCE Born in Honolulu on the homestead of his aunt, Queen Kapiʻolani, David’s name meant “Fearless Prophecy.”  He was the first child of High … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 19, 1868”

FIRST PERFORMANCE OF “THE SUN DANCE OPERA” IN VERNAL, UTAH     In 1912, Yankton Dakota writer Zitkála-Šá (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), began collaborating on an opera with William F. Hanson, formerly … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 20, 1913”

SECWEPEMC GEORGE MANUEL BORN–SECWEPEMC & NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERHOOD LEADER  Born in British Columbia (BC), George’s political career began as Chief of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) people.  In 1959, he became President, North … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 21, 1921”

CHEROKEE 1ST LIEUTENANT JACK C. MONTGOMERY EARNS MEDAL OF HONOR Born near Long, Oklahoma, July 23, 1917, Jack’s mother was Cherokee.  He attended Chilocco Indian Agricultural School with Ernest Childers (see … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 22, 1944”

COMANCHE CHIEF QUANAH PARKER DIED Parker was born circa 1848, near Wichita Falls, Texas.  In 1860, Texas Rangers seized his mother (Cynthia Ann Parker, taken as a child by the Comanche) … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 23, 1911”

MANITOBA MÉTIS LEADER LOUIS RIEL RE-ELECTED, EXPELLED AND DECLARED AN OUTLAW In the 1874 Canadian general election, Métis leader Louis Riel was elected for the Manitoba constituency of Provencher.  He was … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 24, 1875”

PUEBLO POTTER MARIA MARGARITA “MARGARET” TAFOYA DIED Born in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, on August 13, 1904, Tofoya, whose Tewa name meant “Corn Blossom,” learned pottery-making as a child from … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 25, 2001”

CANADIAN DOMINION ELECTIONS ACT PASSED–EXCLUDES INUIT & FIRST NATIONS The Dominion Elections Act, on face, gave the federal vote to every eligible Canadian over 21, male or female.  Treaty Aboriginal people … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 26, 1920”

NAVAJO WEAVER/MEDICINE MAN HOSTEEN KLAH DIED     Born in 1867 at Bear Mountain, near Fort Wingate, New Mexico, Klah is believed to have been an intersexed individual.  This may have … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 27, 1937”

MEXICAN SUFFRAGIST PAULINA ANA MARÍA “ANITA” ZAPATA PORTILLO DIED Born, June 22, 1915, in Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico, she was daughter of famed Mexican Revolution General Emiliano Zapata.  After her … Continue reading “FEBRUARY 28, 2010”