OCTOBER 2023

MIKAK—1ST INUK TO GO TO EUROPE AND RETURN–DIED Born circa 1740, Mikak was the daughter of an Inuk chief. In 1767, she and other Inuit women & children were captured by … Continue reading “OCTOBER 1, 1795”

FAMED MALISEET HUNTING GUIDE GABRIEL ACQUIN DIED Born circa 1811, in Kingsclear, New Brunswick (NB), Gabriel’s family along with other Maliseets moved between there and the Bay of Fundy, as well … Continue reading “OCTOBER 2, 1901”

SAUK AND FOX WARRIER/LEADER MAʽKATAWIMESHEKAʽKA (BLACK HAWK) DIED Born circa 1767, in Saukenuk [now Rock Island, Illinois (IL)], Black Hawk and his followers aided the British in the War of 1812 … Continue reading “OCTOBER 3, 1838”

MOHAWK NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS ADVOCATE MARY TWO-AXE EARLEY BORN Mary, born on Kahnawà:ke Reserve (KR), Quebec (QC), fought injustices faced by Indian women under Canada’s Indian Act (Act). While Indian … Continue reading “OCTOBER 4, 1911”

KIOWA REGALIA MAKER VANESSA PAUKEIGOPE JENNINGS BORN Granddaughter of famed Kiowa artist Stephen Mapope, Vanessa was born in the Gila River Indian community near Tempe, Arizona, but grew up in Lawton, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 5, 1952”

TERRABA 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”

SENECA ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER ISAAC SENECA BORN Isaac, born on the Cattaraugus Reservation in New York State, initially entered Carlisle Indian School in 1892. Seneca was a star running back for the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 7, 1874”

BATTLE OF SITKA—TLINGIT BEGIN SURVIVAL MARCH SECRETLY EVACUATING SITKA In 1802, the Tlingit raided the Russian American Company (RAC) settlement in Sitka, driving the Russians from Southeast Alaska. Expecting the RAC … Continue reading “OCTOBER 8, 1804”

TAOS PUEBLO (PUEBLO DE TAOS) DESIGNATED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK Taos Pueblo, built on both sides of the Pueblo River, is one of a chain of Pueblo Native dwellings in the Taos … Continue reading “OCTOBER 9, 1960”

ATHABASCAN MAYOR/CIVIC LEADER/BEADWORKER HANNAH SOLOMON BORN Solomon, born in Old Rampart, Alaska (AK), was raised by adoptive parents. After her marriage, she lived a subsistence lifestyle in Fort Yukon where she … Continue reading “OCTOBER 10, 1908”

BLACKFOOT ENCOUNTER FIRST EUROPEAN IN ALBERTA Anthony Henday, working for the Hudson’s Bay Company at York Fort, Manitoba, undertook a mission to encourage distant tribes to come and trade. Setting out with Cree … Continue reading “OCTOBER 11, 1754”

ANNUAL RESISTANCE DAY OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF GUATEMALA On October 12th, the nations of Central and South America commemorate the Dia de la Hispanidad, also Día de la Raza (“Day of the … Continue reading “OCTOBER 12, ANNUALLY”

HAWAIIAN JOURNALIST AND LEGISLATOR DAVID WILLIAM PUA DIED Born circa 1836, on the island of Niihau, David settled in Honolulu where he owned a large homestead in the Palama area. In the election of … Continue reading “OCTOBER 13, 1896”

OJIBWE AUTHOR JOURNALIST MUSHKOTAY BEEZHEEKEE ANAKWAT (RICHARD WAGAMESE) BORN As a teen, Wagamese, born in Minoki, Ontario (ON), of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, lived on the street after suffering abuse in foster … Continue reading “OCTOBER 14, 1955”

SIOUX LEADERS AT CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC REJECT GOVERNMENT REQUEST FOR FURTHER CESSIONS FROM THE GREAT SIOUX RESERVATION Under the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the Sioux ceded an immense tract … Continue reading “OCTOBER 15, 1888”

HAWAIIAN PRINCESS ARTIST/ACTIVIST VICTORIA KA’IULANI CLEGHORN BORN Victoria, born the Crown Princess, was descended from the 1st cousin of Kamehameha the Great. Her mother, Likelike, was sister of the last two ruling monarchs. … Continue reading “OCTOBER 16, 1875”

INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT SIGNED Gaming, as a means to generate profit within Native communities began in the late 1970s and 1980s. The success of high-stakes Indian bingo operations in several … Continue reading “OCTOBER 17, 1998”

INUPIAQ WHALER & CONSERVATIONIST HARRY “KUPAAQ” BROWER JR BORN Harry, born in Barrow, Alaska, learned to hunt, trap, and fish at an early age from his Inupiaq uncles. An expert harpooner … Continue reading “OCTOBER 18, 1924”

NICOLENO JUANA MARIA DIED-LAST OF HER TRIBE/STRANDED ON ISLAND FOR 18 YEARS. Juana Maria, AKA “the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island” (her actual name is unknown), was the last member of … Continue reading “OCTOBER 19, 1853”

OBAMA AWARDS CHIEF CLARENCE LEE ALEXANDER PRESIDENTIAL CITIZENSHIP MEDAL Born on March 12, 1939, and raised about 20 miles north of Fort Yukon, Alaska, Alexander was Grand Chief of Gwich’in peoples … Continue reading “OCTOBER 20, 2011”

TRIBES SIGN MEDICINE LODGE TREATIES After the Civil War, migrants using the Santa Fe Trail led to inevitable conflict with Plains tribes. Signed at Medicine Lodge Creek near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 21, 1867”

MÉTIS LEADER LOUIS DAVID RIEL BORN Riel, born in the Red River Settlement (current Manitoba), initially trained for the priesthood, but by 1868 had become a Métis leader. In 1869-1870, he … Continue reading “OCTOBER 22, 1844”

CHEROKEE LEADER WILLIAM PENN ADAIR DIED Born April 15, 1830, in New Echota, Georgia, Adair went with his parents to Indian Territory in 1838 on the Trail of Tears. After studying law, … Continue reading “OCTOBER 23, 1880”

OGALALA CECELIA FIRE THUNDER BORN-1ST OGALALA WOMAN TRIBAL PRESIDENT Born on the Pine Ridge Reserve (PRR), Cecilia grew up in Los Angeles, California. As a nurse, Fire Thunder started community-based health clinics … Continue reading “OCTOBER 24, 1946”

KOYUKON 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”

CREE ACTOR/PHILANTHROPIST TOM JACKSON BORN Jackson, born on One Arrow Reserve, 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”

BEGINNING OF THE PUGET SOUND WAR AND THE WHITE RIVER MASSACRE The 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek preserved Native fishing rights, but took away Nisqually farm land. Chief Leschi refused to give up … Continue reading “OCTOBER 28, 1855”

NATIVE HAWAIIAN HISTORIAN SCHOLAR SAMUEL MĀNAIAKALANI KAMAKAU BORN Samuel, born in Mokulēia, Waialua, O’ahu, enrolled at Lahainaluna Seminary in 1833 and was inspired by Reverend Sheldon Dibble to collect and preserve … Continue reading “OCTOBER 29, 1815”

LEONA AGLUKKAQ 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”

MISSISSAUGAS OJIBWE CANADIAN JUDGE HARRY SMITH LAFORME BORN LaForme, born and raised on the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation reserve in southern Ontario (ON), graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School … Continue reading “OCTOBER 31, 1946”