JULY 2024

  • JULY 1, 1944
    NATCHEZ STORYTELLER WATT SAM DIED One of the last native-speakers of the Natchez language, Watt was born on October 6, 1876, in Braggs, Oklahoma (OK). In 1907, he worked with anthropologist … Continue reading “JULY 1, 1944”
  • JULY 2, 1911
    MUSCOGEE (CREEK)/SEMINOLE PAINTER EKALANEE (FRED BEAVER) BORN Beaver was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma (OK). His Muscogee name meant “Brown Head.” At Eufaula High School, he was All-State in football & basketball. In … Continue reading “JULY 2, 1911”
  • JULY 3, 1993
    BELIZIAN GARIFUNA NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NFL) TACKLE RAKEEM NUNEZ-ROCHES BORN Rakeem, born in Dangriga, Belize, migrated with his family to Alabama (AL) at age 8. Playing football at Central High School, Phenix City, AL, … Continue reading “JULY 3, 1993”
  • JULY 4, 1948
    NORTHERN ARAPAHOE/CHEYENNE RED SPIDER WOMAN (MARGARET BEHAN) BORN Behan, born in Clinton, Oklahoma, is a Sand Creek Massacre survivor descendant. Both parents taught her about her culture. Margaret began drinking at an … Continue reading “JULY 4, 1948”
  • JULY 5, 2022
    CHEROKEE DWIGHT BIRDWELL BECOMES THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN VIETNAM WAR MEDAL OF HONOR (MOH) RECIPIENT Born in Amarillo, Texas, January 19, 1948, Birdwell grew up in Adair County, Oklahoma (OK). Enlisting … Continue reading “JULY 5, 2022”
  • JULY 6, 1948
    CHOCTAW LEGISLATOR/AIDS ACTIVIST AL MCAFFREY BORN Born in Konewa, Oklahoma (OK), McAffrey was raised in Sulphur, OK. After graduating from Sulphur High School (1966), Al graduated from OK State University (1974), and enlisted in … Continue reading “JULY 6, 1948”
  • JULY 7, 1979
    CREE COUNTRY SINGER SHANE YELLOWBIRD BORN Shane, born in Hobbema, Alberta, sang to cure his stutter. It led to a country music career. His debut album, Life Is Calling My Name (2006), included … Continue reading “JULY 7, 1979”
  • JULY 8, 1824
    KAMAMALU DIED–QUEEN CONSORT TO HAWAIIAN KAMEHAMEA II DIED IN ENGLAND Born around 1803, in Kawaihaie, Kamamalu, daughter of Kamehameha I the Great, married her half-brother Liholilo (Kamehameha II), when she was … Continue reading “JULY 8, 1824”
  • JULY 9, 1921
    HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT (HHCA)—HOMESTEAD LEASES FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS Passed by Congress and signed into law by President Warren Harding, the HHCA (42 Stat. 108) set aside approximately 200,000 acres in … Continue reading “JULY 9, 1921”
  • JULY 10, 1997
    INUIT ACTIVIST AUKTALIK (ABRAHAM “ABE” OKPIK) DIED Born January 12, 1928, in the Mackenzie Delta area, Northwest Territories (NWT), Okpik, whose name meant “Man with a Mole,” was raised traditionally. An … Continue reading “JULY 10, 1997”
  • JULY 11, 1990
    MOHAWK-CANADIAN OKA CRISIS BEGINS Canada’s most serious aboriginal crisis in modern times began in the town of Oka, west of Montreal, as a dispute over a planned condominium expansion to a … Continue reading “JULY 11, 1990”
  • JULY 12, 1944
    CHEROKEE SERGEANT ROY W. “BILL” HARMON KILLED IN ACTION-EARNS MEDAL OF HONOR Born on May 3, 1915*, in Talala, Oklahoma (OK), raised in Yale, OK, Bill moved to Pixley, California, in … Continue reading “JULY 12, 1944”
  • JULY 13, 1929
    AHTNA LINGUISTIC PIONEER MILDRED “MILLIE” BUCK BORN From Chitina, Alaska (AK), Millie was an active member of the Chitina Native Corporation (CNC). Raised in the Chitina area, she grew up within … Continue reading “JULY 13, 1929”
  • JULY 14, 1952
    INUPIAT POLITICIAN REGGIE JOULE BORN After attending the University of Alaska (UAK) Fairbanks (1970-72), Reggie sat on numerous Alaska (AK) Native & other civic boards. Elected in 1997 to the AK … Continue reading “JULY 14, 1952”
  • JULY 15, 1980
    CREE NHL PLAYER JONATHAN CHEECHOO BORN A member of the Cree First Nation tribe from Moose Factory, Ontario (ON), Jonathan, at age 14, left home to play bantam hockey. After 3 seasons with the Belleville … Continue reading “JULY 15, 1980”
  • JULY 16, 1897
    PARAGUAYAN GUARANI POET/MUSICIAN MANUEL ORTIZ GUERRERO BORN Guerrero was born in the city of Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, Paraguay, and was raised by his grandmother. After completing his first studies in a school … Continue reading “JULY 16, 1897”
  • JULY 17, 1940
    MEXICAN ZAPOTEC PAINTER FRANCISCO TOLEDO BORN Toledo, born in Mexico City, studied at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Oaxaca and Centro Superior de Artes Applicadas del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes … Continue reading “JULY 17, 1940”
  • JULY 18, 1925
    MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT AMOS CHAPMAN DIED Born to a Native American mother in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on March 15, 1839, Amos was a U.S. Army civilian scout & interpreter. In 1868, … Continue reading “JULY 18, 1925”
  • JULY 19, 1983
    HARDWICK V. U.S. (“HARDWICK I”)- STATUS TO 17 RANCHERIAS IN CALIFORNIA RESTORED Under the California Rancheria Termination Act, Public Law 85-671, tribal members exchanged tribal lands for private land ownership and … Continue reading “JULY 19, 1983”
  • JULY 20, 1980
    UEBLO POTTER PO’VE’KA (MARIA MONTOYA MARTINEZ) DIED Born in the San Ildefonso Pueblo, near Santa Fe, New Mexico (NM), Maria’s Tewa name meant “Water Lily.” At age 11, she learned pottery … Continue reading “JULY 20, 1980”
  • JULY 21, 1855
    MOHICAN/STOCKBRIDGE DIPLOMAT/LEADER JOHN WANNUACON QUINNEY DIED Born in 1797 in Connecticut, John was nicknamed “The Dish.” Quinney, in 1822, traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to purchase land from the Menominee for his New … Continue reading “JULY 21, 1855”
  • JULY 22, 1939
    KIOWA PAINTER ROBERT REDBIRD BORN Robert Redbird was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and raised by his paternal grandparents. His grandfather, Monroe Tsatoke, was a member of the five famous Kiowa Indian … Continue reading “JULY 22, 1939”
  • JULY 23, 1873
    ONEIDA LEADER TEKAYA-TILU OR TEGA-WIR-TIRON(DANIEL BREAD) DIED Born March 27, 1800, in Oneida Castle, New York (NY), Bread, whose name meant “Learning Body,” was educated at the Presbyterian mission school. At … Continue reading “JULY 23, 1873”
  • JULY 24, 1962
    NATIVE HAWAIIAN DANCER/WOMEN’S ADVOCATE KINI “JENNIE” KAPAHU WILSON DIED Born March 4, 1872, in Honolulu, Ana Kini Kapahukulaokamāmalu Ku‘ululani McColgan Huhu (known as “Jennie”), was adopted hanai by a woman who … Continue reading “JULY 24, 1962”
  • JULY 25, 1971
    CAHUILLA MAJOR LEAGUE CATCHER JOHN TORRES “CHIEF” MEYERS DIED Born July 29, 1880, in Riverside, California (CA), Meyers’ talents drew first notice in 1905 from a rival pitcher. A Dartmouth University … Continue reading “JULY 25, 1971”
  • JULY 26, 1533
    QUITO INCA ATAHUALPA EXECUTED BY SPAIN—LAST SAPA INCA (INCA EMPEROR) Atahualpa was born March 20, 1497*, in Cuzco—the traditional Incan capital [in modern Peru]). When his father died, circa 1527, the … Continue reading “JULY 26, 1533”
  • JULY 27, 1813
    BATTLE OF BURNT CORN Also known as the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek, it was the first engagement in what would be the Creek War. In July 1813, Creek chief Peter McQueen and a … Continue reading “JULY 27, 1813”
  • JULY 28, 1959
    SQUAMISH LEADER, ACTIVIST, LACROSSE COACH XWECHTÁAL (ANDY PAULL) DIED Born at Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (BC), on February 6, 1892, Paull’s Squamish name means “Serpent Slayer.” In 1907, he began learning … Continue reading “JULY 28, 1959”
  • JULY 29, 2010
    TRIBAL LAW AND ORDER ACTTAKES EFFECT—GREATER TRIBAL AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE President Obama signed the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA or Act) to address crime in tribal communities and to place a strong … Continue reading “JULY 29, 2010”
  • JULY 30, 1609
    CHAMPLAIN, HURON & ALGONQUINS DEFEAT IROQUOIS USING FIREARMS NEAR TICONDEROGA In the summer of 1609, the Wendat (called “Huron” by the French), the Algonquin, and other tribes that lived near the St. Lawrence River demanded that Samuel de … Continue reading “JULY 30, 1609”
  • JULY 31, 1932
    NATIVE HAWAIIAN SONGWRITER KUIOKALANI ‘KUI’ LEE BORN Kui, born in Shanghai, China, to Hawaiian entertainers, returned to Hawaii at age 5 after his mother died. Lee performed on the mainland for … Continue reading “JULY 31, 1932”