- OCTOBER 1, 1804BATTLE OF SITKA BEGINS—TLINGIT HOLD OFF RUSSIANS AND NATIVE ALLIES In 1802, the Tlingit raided the Russian American Company (RAC) settlement in Sitka, driving the Russians from Southeast Alaska. Expecting the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 1, 1804”
- OCTOBER 2, 1759BATTLE OF TWIN VILLAGES—SPANISH ATTACK YOJUANE Late in 1758, bands of Wichita warriors attacked the Spanish mission at San Sabá while searching for Apaches. They killed 2 Spanish priests and several … Continue reading “OCTOBER 2, 1759”
- OCTOBER 3, 1927INUIT ARTIST KENOJUAK ASHEVAK BORN Born in Ikarasaq, on Baffin Island, in what is now Nunavut, Kenojuak began her art career in 1952 making dolls while hospitalized in Quebec. Returning to … Continue reading “OCTOBER 3, 1927”
- OCTOBER 4, 2001NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMPOSER IRMGARD FARDEN ALULI DIED Born in Lahaina, Maui, in 1911, Irmgard Keali’iwahinealohanohokahaopuamana Farden Aluli hailed from a musical family. Known as “Auntie Irmgard,” she began performing publicly in … Continue reading “OCTOBER 4, 2001”
- OCTOBER 5, 1945LOWER BRULE SIOUX WORLD WAR II ACE GREGORY “PAPPY” BOYINGTON IS AWARDED CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR Born December 4, 1912, in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, Major Boyington first earned fame in World … Continue reading “OCTOBER 5, 1945”
- OCTOBER 6, 2009TERRABA MARCH TO BUENOS AIRES, COSTA RICA, FOR RESPECT FOR THEIR RIGHTS The Neso, or Térraba (also Teribe), a warrior people that trace their roots back to the pre-Colombian Chiriquí civilization … Continue reading “OCTOBER 6, 2009”
- OCTOBER 7, 1763ROYAL PROCLAMATION OF 1763 SETS GUIDELINES FOR ABORIGINAL TERRITORIE The Royal Proclamation initially set guidelines for European settlement of Aboriginal territories in North America. Issued by King George III after the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 7, 1763”
- OCTOBER 8, 1997SHAWNEE BALLERINA MIRA YVONNE CHOUTEAU IS DECLARED AN “OKLAHOMA TREASURE” Yvonne, of Shawnee heritage, joined with Maria and Marjorie Tallchief, Moscelyn Larkin, and Rosella Hightower—the Oklahoma Indian ballerinas—in being named “Cultural … Continue reading “OCTOBER 8, 1997”
- OCTOBER 9, 1800COLUMBIAN PIJAO HERO GENERAL & PRESIDENT JOSÉ MARIA DIONISIO MELO Y ORTIZ BORN Born in Zapaluta, now La Trinitaria, Mexico, Melo grew up in Ibagué, Columbia. In 1819, he joined the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 9, 1800”
- OCTOBER 10, 2001COLEVILLE HEALTH OFFICIAL LUANA REYES RECEIVES PRESIDENTAL RANK MERIT AWARD Born February 20, 1933, in Portland, Oregon, Luana’s mother was a Sin-aikst Indian, part of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Her brother, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 10, 2001”
- OCTOBER 11, 1615CHAMPLAIN & HURONS AMBUSHED BY IROQUOIS AT LAKE ONANDAGA In early 1615, Samuel de Champlain agreed to assist the Wendat and Anishinaabe nations against the Onondaga and Oneida nations who threatened … Continue reading “OCTOBER 11, 1615”
- OCTOBER 12, 1911DENA’INA ATHABASKAN ALASKAN WRITER/STORYTELLER PETER KALIFORNSKY BORN Born at Unhghenesditnu (Kalifornsky Village), on the Cook Inlet bluff north of the Alaska’s Kasilof River, Peter’s interest in Dena’ina storytelling began by listening … Continue reading “OCTOBER 12, 1911”
- OCTOBER 13, 1980NATIVE HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITARIST CHARLES PHILIP KUNIA “GABBY” PAHINUI DIED Born in Honolulu on April 22, 1921, Pahinui grew up shining shoes and selling newspapers before leaving school after 5th … Continue reading “OCTOBER 13, 1980”
- OCTOBER 14, 1930DAKOTA-HIDATSA STORYTELLER MARY LOUISE DEFENDER WILSON BORN Born near Shields, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, she was surrounded by the storytelling of her Dakotah-speaking family. In 1954, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 14, 1930”
- OCTOBER 15, 1966NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT OF 1966 SIGNED INTO LAW The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. 300101, et seq., was enacted by the Federal Government to preserve historical and archaeological … Continue reading “OCTOBER 15, 1966”
- OCTOBER 16, 1884HAWAIIAN ROYAL PHILANTHROPIST BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP DIED Bernice Pauahi Pākī, last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I, was born on December 19, 1831, in Honolulu. Receiving a Western education at the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 16, 1884”
- OCTOBER 17, 1891PAIUTE NOVELIST THOCMETONY (SARAH WINNEMUCCA HOPKINS) DIED Born in 1844, in Nevada, Sarah, whose Paiute name meant “Shell Flower,” went with her grandfather, Chief Truckee, to California. By age 10, she … Continue reading “OCTOBER 17, 1891”
- OCTOBER 18, 1540BATTLE OF MABILA—POSSIBLY BLOODIEST BATTLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY When Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto first met Mobile Chief Tuskaloosa at his home village in present Alabama, he sought supplies. Tuskaloosa led … Continue reading “OCTOBER 18, 1540”
- OCTOBER 19, 612REPUTEDLY SAK-K’UK’ (LADY BEASTIE) ASCENDS TO THRONE OF MAYAN CITY-STATE PALENQUE Sak K’uk, also known as Lady Sak K’uk’ and Lady Beastie, reputedly ascended to the throne as queen of the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 19, 612”
- OCTOBER 20, 1937A’ANININ (GROS VENTRE) ANTHROPOLOGIST/CURATOR NAY GYAGYA NEE (GEORGE PAUL HORSE CAPTURE) BORN Born on the Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana, Horse Capture’s A’aninin name meant “Spotted Otter.” Initially a Navy shipfitter & … Continue reading “OCTOBER 20, 1937”
- OCTOBER 21, 2012POPE CANONIZES TEKAKWITHA AS STE. KATERI TEKWITHA—FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN SAINTE Tekakwitha, whose Mohawk name meant “She Who Bumps Into Things,” was born in 1656, at Ossernenon, near current Auriesville, New York, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 21, 2012”
- OCTOBER 22, 1844MÉTIS LEADER LOUIS DAVID RIEL BORN Born in the Red River Settlement (current Manitoba), Riel initially trained for the priesthood, but by 1868 had become a Métis leader. In 1869-1870, he … Continue reading “OCTOBER 22, 1844”
- OCTOBER 23, 1880PAEZ COLUMBIAN REVOLUTIONARY QUINTÍN LAME BORN–LED ‘GUERRA RACIAL” IN 1920S Born in Cauca, Columbia, Lame started the Indigenous Movement in 1911 and, in 1914, tried to establish an indigenous republic. His … Continue reading “OCTOBER 23, 1880”
- OCTOBER 24, 1988BLACK-NATIVE AMERICAN BOXER HENRY ARMSTRONG DIED Born Henry Jackson, Jr., December 12, 1912, in Columbus, Mississippi, of a Black sharecropper and supposedly Iroquois mother (though possibly Cherokee), his family moved to St. Louis, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 24, 1988”
- OCTOBER 25, 1918KOYUKON WALTER HARPER DIED– FIRST TO REACH DENALI SUMMIT Born in 1893, Walter’s mother reared him traditionally until his mid-teens. At age 16, Harper attended Tortella School, an Episcopal boarding school … Continue reading “OCTOBER 25, 1918”
- OCTOBER 26, 1992NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES ACT OF 1992 SIGNED INTO LAW President George H. W. Bush signed the 1992 Act (Public Law 102-524) “to assist Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing … Continue reading “OCTOBER 26, 1992”
- OCTOBER 27, 1948CREE ACTOR/PHILANTHROPIST TOM JACKSON BORN Born on One Arrow Reserve, Jackson was of the marginalized in Winnipeg before his voice brought him into radio, TV, and film. On TV, he appeared … Continue reading “OCTOBER 27, 1948”
- OCTOBER 28, 1990KIOWA/PAWNEE/ARAPAHO PAINTER MIRAC CREEPINGBEAR DIED Born September 8, 1947, in Lawton, Oklahoma, of a Kiowa mother and Pawnee-Arapaho father, Mirac was raised in Carnegie and Pawnee, Oklahoma. A self-trained artist, he … Continue reading “OCTOBER 28, 1990”
- OCTOBER 29, 1815NATIVE HAWAIIAN HISTORIAN SCHOLAR SAMUEL MĀNAIAKALANI KAMAKAU BORN Born in Mokulēia, Waialua, O’ahu, Samuel enrolled at Lahainaluna Seminary in 1833 and was inspired by Reverend Sheldon Dibble to collect and preserve … Continue reading “OCTOBER 29, 1815”
- OCTOBER 30, 2008LEONA AGLUKKAG BECOMES FIRST INUK CABINET MEMBER IN CANADA Born in Inuvik and raised in Thom Bay, Taloyoak, and Gjoa Haven (now in Nunavut), Aglukkaq served initially as Deputy Minister of … Continue reading “OCTOBER 30, 2008”
- OCTOBER 31, 1878LENAPE WOMEN’S ACTIVIST ROBERTA E. CAMPBELL LAWSON BORN Born at Alluwe, Indian Territory, Lawson was granddaughter of the last Delaware (Lenape) chief. Studying music at Hardin College, she blended legends and … Continue reading “OCTOBER 31, 1878”
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Indigenous America Calendar 