SEPTEMBER 2023

AYMARA EVO MORALES BORN–1ST INDIGENOUS PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA Born in Isallavi, Bolivia, by 1988, Evo headed a coca growers’ federation. In the mid-1990s, he helped found the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) … Continue reading “OCTOBER 26, 1959”

PUEBLO POTTER MICHAEL KANTEENA BORN From Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, Michael is best known for his pottery inspired by Chaco, Mesa Verde and other ancestral Pueblo pottery. Kanteena also makes pottery inspired by historic kachina dolls & masks. … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 1, 1959”

HAWAIIAN INSURGENT ROBERT NAPU’UAKO BOYD BORN Boyd, born in Honolulu of British & Hawaiian descent, was from one of the most prominent families in Hawaii. After attending the Punahou School (then-Oahu College), he was chosen, along … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 2, 1864”

MAYA KING AHKAL MO’ NAHB’ II IS BORN Also known as Chaacal II and Akul Anab II, Ahkal Mo’ Nahb II was an ajaw (chief) of the Maya city-state of Palenque. Grandson of his namesake, Ahkal Mo’ Nahb I, his … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 3, 523”

AMERICAN SAMOAN NFL PLAYER ISAAC SOPOAGA BORN Sopoaga, born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, was raised in the fishing village of Fagasa. He attended Samoana High School in Pago Pago lettering in … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 4, 1981”

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN DECLARED At the Second Meeting of Organizations and Movements of America, in Tihuanacu, Bolivia, it was decided to celebrate the International Day of Indigenous Women on … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 5, 1983”

CHEROKEE NATIONAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATES THE NATION’S 1839 CONSTITUTION Signed in Tahlequah, Indian Territory, the 1839 Constitution resulted from meetings organized by Sequoyah to unite Eastern Cherokees led by Principal Chief John … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 6, ANNUALLY”

OJIBWA LEADER KECHEWAISHKE (CHIEF BUFFALO) DIED Known also as Bichiki, Kechewaishke was born circa 1759 at La Pointe, on Madeline Island on Lake Superior (now in northern Wisconsin). He grew up near … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 7, 1855”

SALVADORAN NAHUA SHAMAN ADRIAN ESQUINO LISCO DIED Born on December 2, 1938, in Comarca San Ramon, Sonsonate province, Lisco’s older brother was a casualty in a violently suppressed 1932 peasant uprising. … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 8, 2007”

OMAHA ATTORNEY HATU MI (HIRAM CHASE) BORN—1ST NATIVE AMERICAN TO ARGUE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Born on the Omaha Reservation in Macy, Nebraska (NB), Hiram attended mission … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 9, 1861”

ONEIDA LAURA CORNELIUS KELLOGG BORN—SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIANS FOUNDER Born on the Oneida reserve in Wisconsin (WI), Kellogg graduated from Grafton Hall Episcopal with honors in 1898 studying Greek & Latin … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 10, 1880”

ODAWA-POTAWATOMI ARTIST DAPHNE ODJIG BORN Daphne, born on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada (CA), began painting in the 1940s. In the 1960’s, she wrote & illustrated children’s books based on Ojibwa culture, … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 11, 1919”

LAKOTA MAKOKA WINGE’ WIN (MADONNA MARY SWAN-ABDALLA) BORN—SUBJECT OF BOOK ABOUT A WOMAN’S PERSEVERANCE THROUGH & AFTER TUBERCULOSIS Born on the Cheyenne River Reserve, her name meant “Goes Around the World … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 12, 1928”

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ADOPTED The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly by a majority of 144 states … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 13, 2007”

NICARAGUAN MATAGALPAS DEFEAT AMERICAN WILLIAM WALKER’S FILIBUSTERS AT BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO The battle took place in Hacienda San Jacinto, Managua, Nicaragua with 160 soldiers of the Legitimist Septemtrion Army led by Colonel José Dolores … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 14, 1856”

OJIBWE DESENDANT ANNE K. MCKEIG BECOMES FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN JUSTICE ON MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT     Raised in Federal Dam, Minnesota (MN), McKeig, descended from the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, attended Northland High … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 15, 2016”

INUK ARTIST/SCULPTOR KIAWAK ASHOONA BORN Kiawak (AKA Kiugak), born at Tariugajak, Baffin Island, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) and son of famed artist Pitseolak Ashoona, began carving while growing up near Cape … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 16, 1933”

NATIVE HAWAIIAN MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HERBERT K. PILILA’AU KILLED-IN-ACTION Born in Waiʻanae, Oahu, Pililaʻau was attending Cannon Business School when drafted into the Army in March 1951 & sent to Korea … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 17, 1951”

MI’KMAQ GRAND CHIEF HENRI MEMBERTOU DIED–FIRST NATIVE LEADER TO BE BAPTIZED. Membertou’s birth date is unknown and little is known about his life prior to encountering the French in 1605. By … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 18, 1611”

TULA–LEADER OF CURACAO SLAVE REBELLION–IMPRISONED On August 17, 1795, Tula Rigaud, described as African & Indigenous, led an uprising of 40-50 people at Bandabou. After freeing people from a jail, they went … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 19, 1795”

HEILTSUK RENEW PEACE TREATY WITH HAIDA The Heiltsuk and Haida Nations historically had experienced territorial hostilities with the last conflict occurring in 1852, according to oral history. Following a potlatch a … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 20, 2014”

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN (NMAI) OPENS On November 18, 1989, President George H. W. Bush signed legislation creating NMAI as part of the Smithsonian. The groundbreaking ceremony for the … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 21, 2004”

FAMED POMO BASKETWEAVER ELSIE ALLEN BORN Elsie, born near Santa Rosa, California (CA), grew up in Cloverdale & in Hopland. She worked in the fields until age 11, attended school from … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 22, 1899”

ALASKAN INUPIAQ ACTOR ACH-NACH-CHIAK (RAY MALA) DIED Born in Candle, on Seward Peninsula, on December 27, 1906, Ray was raised by his grandmother. At 14, he walked 100 miles to Nome … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 23, 1952”

MÉTIS VISUAL ARTIST/AUTHOR/ACTIVIST CHRISTI BELCOURT BORN Belcourt, born in Scarborough, Ontario (ON), authored/co-authored: Jeremy and the Magic Ball (2008), Medicines to Help Us, Traditional Metis Plant Use (2008), and Beadwork: First Peoples’ Beading History and … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 24, 1966”

NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMPOSER COLORATURA SOPRANO HELEN DESHA BEAMER DIED Born in Honolulu, Hawai’i, on September 8, 1882, her ancestors included Ahiakumai Ki’eki’e, Queen of the island of Hawai’i and daughter of … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 25, 1952”

CREE LEADER KISIKAW PIYESIWEWIN PAHPAHTAYWAK KIHEW (NOEL VICTOR STARBLANKET) BORN Noel was born in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan (SK), on the Starblanket Indian Reserve. His name meant “Where the Thunderbirds Live” & “Spotted Eagle.” … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 26, 1946”

EASTERN CHEROKEE ARTIST/EDUCATOR AMANDA CROWE DIED Born July 16, 1928, in the Qualla community, Murphy, North Carolina (NC), Amanda drew & carved by age 4 and sold her carvings by age … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 27, 2004”

BATTLE OF PALO DURO CANYON ENDS RED RIVER WAR The major battle of the Red River War ended in the confinement of southern Plains Indians (Comanches, Kiowas, Kiowa Apaches, Cheyennes, and Arapahos) … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 28, 1874”

HALL OF FAME FIGURE SKATER MABEL FAIRBANKS OF SEMINOLE DESCENT DIED Born November 14, 1915, either in the Florida Everglades or in Jacksonville, Mabel, orphaned at age 8, moved to New … Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 29, 2001”