November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It honors the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. Here are three inspiring Indigenous leaders who have made meaningful impacts in their respective fields and communities.
Deb Haaland
Deb Haaland made history in 2021 as the first Native American to be appointed the US Secretary of the Interior. In this role, Haaland manages all public lands, national parks, and wildlife refuges.
The 63-year-old's entry into politics began in 2012 as chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Native American Caucus. Three years later, she made history as the first Native American woman to lead the Democratic Party of New Mexico. In 2018, Haaland became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, alongside Sharice Davids.
Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th-generation New Mexican. She grew up in a military family. Her father was a decorated Marine, and her mother was a Navy veteran.
Haaland's achievements are an inspiration for people across the country, particularly Indigenous women.
Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief was America's first prima ballerina — the lead female dancer in a ballet company. She was also the first member of the Osage Tribe to achieve this prestigious title. Tallchief took her first ballet lesson at age three and never looked back. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York City and began training with a Russian ballet company based there.
Tallchief later joined the newly-founded New York City Ballet, where she made history as the world's first American prima ballerina. Her portrayal of the lead role in Firebird in 1949 made her an international star. However, one of Tallchief's best-known roles was as the first Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker in 1954. Her incredible performance helped establish the ballet as a beloved Christmas tradition in the United States.
After retiring from dancing in 1965, Tallchief served as the artistic director of the Chicago City Ballet. In 1996, she was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime achievements in dance. Tallchief passed away on April 11, 2013, at 88. But her legacy continues to inspire dancers and artists worldwide.
John Herrington
John Herrington is the nation's first Native American astronaut. He was born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, a small town in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he joined the US Navy as a test pilot.
Herrington's journey to space began in 1996 when NASA selected him as an astronaut candidate. After years of rigorous training, he was designated a mission specialist astronaut. Herrington's first and only trip to the International Space Station came on November 23, 2002, as part of the Space Shuttle Endeavour crew. In a nod to his heritage, Herrington carried a Chickasaw Nation flag, a traditional flute, and a feather. During the 13-day mission, Herrington made further history by becoming the first Native American to conduct a spacewalk.
Herrington retired from NASA in 2005. He now spends much of his time encouraging Native American youth to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Resources: Womenshistory.org, Chicksaw.net, Wikimedia.org
