- JANUARY 1, 1868MUSCOGEE NOVELIST SOPHIA ALICE CALLAHAN BORN Born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Callahan’s paternal grandfather died during the Trail of Tears. Her father represented the Creek & Seminole Nations to the Confederate … Continue reading “JANUARY 1, 1868”
- JANUARY 2, 2003LAKOTA QUILLWORKER ALICE NEW HOLY BLUE LEGS DIED Born July 26, 1925, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota (SD), Alice attended Oglala Community School and completed high school. As her mother & … Continue reading “JANUARY 2, 2003”
- JANUARY 3, 1924MEXICAN GOVERNOR AND REVOLUTIONARY FELIPE CARRILLO PUERTO EXECUTED Born November 8, 1874, in Yucatan, Felipe was of Maya background. During the Caste War, Puerto was imprisoned for urging Mayas to tear … Continue reading “JANUARY 3, 1924”
- JANUARY 4, 2007OJIBWE DESCENDANT REVEREND MARK MacDONALD BECOMES 1ST NATION INDIGENOUS ANGLICAN BISHOP Born January 15, 1954, Mark received his Bachelor’s degree (religious studies & psychology) at College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota, … Continue reading “JANUARY 4, 2007”
- JANUARY 5, 1814MEXICAN MESTIZO LAWYER/SCIENTIST/DIPLOMAT MELCHOR OCAMPO DIED Born in Maravatío, Michoacán, Ocampo was appointed Governor of Michoacán when Manuel Gómez Pedraza became president of Mexico in 1844. Ocampo reorganized the state treasury, … Continue reading “JANUARY 5, 1814”
- JANUARY 6, 1964CREE ACTOR LORNE CARDINAL BORN Cardinal, born at Sucker Creek, Alberta (AB), earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of AB (1993). On stage, he had roles in … Continue reading “JANUARY 6, 1964”
- JANUARY 7, 1881KUAUI GOVERNOR FREDERICK WILLIAM KAHAPULA BECKLEY, SR. DIED Born in Waimea, on November 26, 1845, his grandfather, British naval captain George Charles Beckley, was an adviser to King Kamehameha I; his mother was the … Continue reading “JANUARY 7, 1881”
- JANUARY 8, 2013INUIT ARTIST KENOJUAK ASHEVAK DIED Born on October 3, 1927 in Ikarasaq, on Baffin Island, in what is now Nunavut, Kenojuak began her art career in 1952 making dolls while hospitalized … Continue reading “JANUARY 8, 2013”
- JANUARY 9, 1918BATTLE OF BEAR VALLEY VERSUS YAQUI-LAST BATTLE OF AMERICAN INDIAN WARS In 1918, the Yaquis were in open rebellion against Mexico hoping to establish a new independent state for themselves. Also, … Continue reading “JANUARY 9, 1918”
- JANUARY 10, 1985CHEROKEE-CREEK OPERA SINGER TSIANINA REDFEATHER BLACKSTONE DIED Born December 13, 1882, in Eufaula, in the Muskogee Creek Nation, of Creek and Cherokee heritage, Tsianina won scholarships to study music in Denver … Continue reading “JANUARY 10, 1985”
- JANUARY 11, 1946COUER D’ALENE WRITER JANET CAMPBELL HALE BORN Janet’s father was of the Coeur d’Alene tribe and mother was of Kutenai & Cree heritage. She was born in Riverside, California, but raised on the … Continue reading “JANUARY 11, 1946”
- JANUARY 12, 2009GITXSAN TOTEM CARVER SIMOGYET GEEL (WALTER HARRIS) DIED Born June 10, 1931, in Kispiox, British Columbia (B.C.), Harris was a hereditary chief of the Gitxsan nation whose art included work in … Continue reading “JANUARY 12, 2009”
- JANUARY 13, 1998LUMBEE ASHTON LOCKLEAR BORN—WORLD CHAMPION GYMNAST Ashton, born in Lumberton, North Carolina, began gymnastics at age 5. In her 2014, she won personal gold on uneven bars (bars) at the U.S. … Continue reading “JANUARY 13, 1998”
- JANUARY 14, 1970NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHAMPION SURFER VINCENT SENNEN “SUNNY” GARCIA BORN Born in Mā’ili, Oahu, Garcia dropped out of school at age 17 and went on the Hawaiian Surfing Association tour. In his … Continue reading “JANUARY 14, 1970”
- JANUARY 15, 1858ZAPOTEC BENITO JUÁREZ BECOMES FIRST INDIGENOUS MEXICAN PRESIDENT The first indigenous Mexican president (1861-72), Juárez was born on March 21, 1806 in Oaxaca. In 1831, he received his law degree and … Continue reading “JANUARY 15, 1858”
- JANUARY 16, 1975GILLIAN WHITE BORN—ACTRESS OF BLACKFOOT DESCENT Born in Los Angeles, California (CA), Gillian was raised in Altadena, CA. Of African-American, Blackfoot Indian and Irish descent, she was a star basketball player, … Continue reading “JANUARY 16, 1975”
- JANUARY 17, 2015MASHTEUIATSH SENATOR AURÉLIEN GILL DIED—ORDER OF CANADA RECIPIENT Gill, born August 26, 1933, in Mashteuiatsh, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec (QC), earned a bachelor’s degree from Université Laval. Aurélien was a businessman, teacher, and government administrator before becoming … Continue reading “JANUARY 17, 2015”
- JANUARY 18, 1863TLINGIT TILLIE PAUL BORN– TRANSLATOR EDUCATOR Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Tillie had a Tlingit mother and Scottish father. After her mother died, she was raised by an aunt and uncle … Continue reading “JANUARY 18, 1863”
- JANUARY 19, 1968HAISLA EDEN VICTORIA LENA ROBINSON BORN—AWARD WINNING WRITER Born in Kitimat, British Columbia, and raised in Kitamaat Village, Eden’s mother is Heiltsuk; her father, Haisla. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts … Continue reading “JANUARY 19, 1968”
- JANUARY 20, 1558MAPUCHES UNDER CAUPOLICAN SIEGE CAÑETE The Mapuches resisted the Spanish conquistadors of southern Chile. In the late 1550s, the resistance led to the Aracua War. After the Battle of Millarapue, the victorious Spanish established the Cañete fort. … Continue reading “JANUARY 20, 1558”
- JANUARY 21, 1992BLUES/BOOGIE WOOGIE MUSICIAN CHAMPION JACK DUPREE DIED—CHEROKEE HERITAGE Born possibly in July of 1910 in New Orleans (NO), Louisiana, Dupree grew up in NO’ Colored Waifs’ Home for Boys. Learning his piano … Continue reading “JANUARY 21, 1992”
- JANUARY 22, 1855POINT ELLIOT TREATY The Point Elliot Treaty, ratified by the U.S. government in 1859, created a Government-to-Government relationship between the United States and the tribes of the Puget Sound region. Signatories … Continue reading “JANUARY 22, 1855”
- JANUARY 23, 1925TAHAGIETAGWA (LOUIS LEVI OAKES)-LAST MOHAWK CODE TALKER-BORN Oakes, whose name meant “He carries the snow,” was born on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation on the New York (NY)-Quebec border. Enlisting in the … Continue reading “JANUARY 23, 1925”
- JANUARY 24, 1932ARAPAHO EPISCOPAL PRIEST DOA-CHE-WA-A (SHERMAN COOLIDGE) DIED—FOUNDER, SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIANS (SAI) Born February 22, 1862, near current-Sheridan, Wyoming (WY), Coolidge’s name meant “He-Runs-on-Top.” Given away by his mother to save … Continue reading “JANUARY 24, 1932”
- JANUARY 25, 2011FIRST NATIONS EXPERIENCE (FNX) INDIGENOUS BROADCAST NETWORK FOUNDED America’s first and only broadcast network in the United States aimed at Native Americans and global Indigenous audiences and consumers of Native culture, … Continue reading “JANUARY 25, 2011”
- JANUARY 26, 1932PUEBLO POTTER JOSEPH LONEWOLF BORN Lonewolf, from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, started a career as a mechanic and then became a trained machinist, making precision parts with fine engraving. When he … Continue reading “JANUARY 26, 1932”
- JANUARY 27, 1861COYOTERO APACHE RAID LEADS TO THE BASCOM AFFAIR AND THE APACHE WARS On this date, Coyotero Apaches raided John Ward’s ranch taking his stepson Felix. Lt. George Nicholas, ordered to use any … Continue reading “JANUARY 27, 1861”
- JANUARY 28, 1892BATTLE OF KURUYUKI—BOLIVIANS END CHIRIGUANO REVOLT The Chiriguanos (now Guarani) lived in the Andes foothills of southeastern Bolivia. For 400 years, they had fended off the Inca, Spanish, and Bolivians. Following … Continue reading “JANUARY 28, 1892”
- JANUARY 29, 1960AMERICAN SAMOAN OLYMPIC DIVER GREG LOUGANIS BORN Born in El Cajon, California (Cal), adopted as an infant, Greg started diving at age 9. In 1976, he won Olympic Silver in the platform … Continue reading “JANUARY 29, 1960”
- JANUARY 30, 1946CREE OVIDE MERCREDI BORN—FORMER ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS NATIONAL CHIEF Born near the Grand Rapids Reserve, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Manitoba (MB), Ovide earned a law degree from the University of MB (1977) … Continue reading “JANUARY 30, 1946”
- JANUARY 31, 1800OJIBWA LITERARY WRITER BAMEWAWAGEZHIKAQUAY (JANE JOHNSTON SCHOOLCRAFT) BORN Jane was born to a prosperous family in Sault Ste. Marie in what is now Michigan. Her name meant “Woman of the Sound that … Continue reading “JANUARY 31, 1800”