List of Native American firsts explained

This is a list of Native American firsts. Native American people were the first people to live in the area that is now known as the United States.[1] This is a chronological list of the first accomplishments that Native Americans have achieved both through their tribal identities and also through the culture of the United States over time. It includes individuals and groups of people who are indigenous to contemporary United States. This includes Native Americans in the United States, which includes American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

16th century

1530s

1539

1580s

1581

1587

17th century

1610s

1615

1620s

1630s

1638

1660s

1663

1665

1670s

1670

1672

18th century

1760s

1765

1770s

1772

1790s

1794

19th century

1810s

1812

1820s

1821

1822

1825

1827

1828

1829

1840s

1844

1847

1850s

1854

1856

1857

1860s

1861

1865

1867

1869

1870s

1870

1875

1878

1879

1880s

1881

1883

1886

1889

1890s

1891

1892

1893

1897

1898

20th century

1900s

1903

1904

1908

1909

1910s

1910

1911

1912

1913

1916

1918

1920s

1921

1922

1923

1924

1926

1927

1929

1930s

1930

1932

1935

1939

1940s

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

1949

1950s

1950

1952

1953

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960s

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1966

1967

1969

1970s

1970

1971

1972

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1980s

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990s

1990

1991

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

21st century

2000s

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2010s

2010

2011

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020s

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

See also

References

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Swisher, Karen Gayton. Native North American Firsts. Gale. 1998. 0787605182. Swisher. Karen Gayton. Detroit. xiii. Preface. Benally. AnCita.
  2. Web site: Hernando de Soto 1539–1540 Winter Encampment at Anhaica Apalachee . Florida Division of Historical Resources . Florida Department of State . 28 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Navajo History. 2020-09-01. Discover Navajo.
  4. Web site: 2019-05-14. The Fascinating Story of the First American Bible, a Native American Language Translation from 1663. 2020-08-30. Behind The Scenes. en-US.
  5. Web site: 1821: Sequoyah's syllabary makes written Cherokee possible . Native Voices . U.S. National Library of Medicine . 28 July 2021.
  6. Kalter. Susan. Fall 2002. Finding a Place for David Cusick in Native American Literary History. MELUS. 27. 3. 9–42. 10.2307/3250653. 3250653. registration. JSTOR.
  7. Web site: Mullins. Jonita. 19 April 2015. Cherokee hymn book reflected love of music. 2020-08-30. Muskogee Phoenix. en.
  8. Web site: Fall 2019. The Pulteney St. Survey. 2020-08-26. Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
  9. Web site: Building to be Named for Ely S. Parker First Indian Commissioner of the BIA Recognized. 2020-08-30. Indian Affairs.
  10. Web site: Kettler. Sara. 3 March 2020. 5 Powerful and Influential Native American Women. 2020-08-26. Biography. en-us.
  11. Web site: History Timelines Native American Cultural Center. 2020-08-29. Stanford.
  12. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/frank-pierce
  13. Web site: Wolman. David. Smith. David. 2019-08-07. Paniolo: Hawaii's Cowboy Heroes of 1908. 2020-12-10. Brewminate. en-US.
  14. Web site: 16 August 2020. What does Equal Suffrage mean?. 2021-02-20. History Colorado.
  15. Web site: 2010-10-29. Yale Celebrates First Native American Graduate: Henry Roe Cloud. 2020-08-30. YaleNews. en.
  16. Web site: Henson. Milla. 2020-01-11. The First Native American NFL Player Dominated the League in Its Early Days. 2020-08-29. Sportscasting Pure Sports. en-US.
  17. Web site: Society of American Indians (Microfilm Edition, Juniata College) . en-US . November 3, 2023.
  18. Book: Hertzberg, Hazel W. . Hazel Hertzberg . The Search for an American Indian Identity: Modern Pan-Indian Movements, p. 117 . Syracuse, N.Y. . . 1971.
  19. Web site: Aneculaesei. Calin. 2020-06-29. The First Native American to Win Gold for the United States. 2020-08-29. Medium. en.
  20. Web site: Native American Heritage Month. 2020-08-29. Described and Captioned Media Program. en.
  21. Web site: Debczak. Michele. 2019-09-26. Bessie Coleman, the Black Cherokee Female Pilot Who Made Aviation History. 2020-08-30. Mental Floss. en.
  22. Web site: 2016-06-02. Milestones for Women in American Politics. 2020-08-28. CAWP. en.
  23. Web site: Adams . Jim . A Forgotten Olympic First: Taffy Abel, U.S. hockey's initial American Indian player, won a silver medal at the inaugural Winter Games almost a century ago . Smithsonian Magazine . Smithsonian Institution . 4 February 2022 . 3 February 2022.
  24. News: The first Native American in the Winter Olympics hid his identity to stay safe . The Washington Post . 2022-06-03 . 0190-8286. dmy-all.
  25. Web site: 2014-05-06. Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail: "Our Bright Morning Star". 2020-08-29. Women's History Matters. en-US.
  26. Web site: 2017-11-22. Native American Women Aviation Pioneers. 2020-08-30. National Air and Space Museum. en.
  27. Web site: Roberta Campbell Lawson. 2020-08-27. Tulsa Historical Society & Museum. 10 March 2010 . en-US.
  28. Web site: People & Events: Breaking the Color Line at the Pageant . PBS.
  29. News: Yun Tau Chee, 73; Miss Hawaii of 1948, First Asian in Miss America Pageant – Los Angeles Times . Articles.latimes.com . September 4, 1987 . September 22, 2013 . Elaine . Woo.
  30. Web site: Inductees – Native American Hall of Fame. 2020-08-28. en-US.
  31. Web site: 28 May 2010. Tom Oxendine, decorated Lumbee veteran, passes on at 87. 2020-08-30. Indianz. en.
  32. Web site: Native American Women Veterans. 2020-08-30. The Women's Memorial.
  33. Web site: Cassens. Anne. WASP Ola Mildred Rexroat Honored by South Dakota Aviation Association. 29 August 2020. Wings Across America.
  34. News: Vaughan. Carson. 2019-03-20. Overlooked No More: Elizabeth Peratrovich, Rights Advocate for Alaska Natives. en-US. The New York Times. 2020-11-11. 0362-4331.
  35. Web site: Profile: Josephine Gates Kelly 4th Grade North Dakota Studies . 2022-11-18 . North Dakota Studies Grade 4 Curriculum . en.
  36. News: R. John . Hayes . Small Oklahoma city is centre of Native American culture and history. Windspeaker Publication . November 3, 2023.
  37. Web site: Dragonfly Gala honors remarkable American Indian women. James. Folmer. Banning Record Gazette.
  38. Web site: Fred Begay - 1932-. 2020-08-30. Southwest Reservation Aid.
  39. Web site: 3 August 2020. Watch surreal animated official video for Redbone's classic hit "Come and Get Your Love" - Music News - ABC News Radio. 2020-08-30. ABC Audio. en.
  40. Web site: Stewart. Mariah. First Native American Woman to Become a Dentist Continues to Be Trailblazer in Advocacy. 2020-08-29. Insight Into Diversity. 19 December 2019 . en-US.
  41. Web site: Dr. Catharine Gail Kincaid. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  42. News: Indian Market Stands Firm on Date . 10 July 2021 . The Santa Fe New Mexican . 22 September 1980.
  43. Web site: Tirado. Michelle. 23 March 2012. Revolutionary Rhoades: At Age 80, the First Native IHS Director. 2020-08-30. Indian Country Today. en.
  44. Web site: Dr. Kathleen R. Annette. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  45. Web site: 2019-10-21. 9 Famous Native American Women In History That You Need To Know. 2020-08-26. PowWows.com. en-US.
  46. Web site: Wood. Margaret. 2012. National American Indian Heritage Month. 2020-08-30. Law Library of Congress.
  47. Web site: Dr. Frances Owl-Smith. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  48. Web site: Dr. Susan Veronica Karol. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  49. Web site: Dr. Sharon M. Malotte. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  50. Web site: Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  51. Web site: Tammy Eagle Bull: Stop Appropriating My Culture. 2020-07-17. www.architectmagazine.com.
  52. Web site: Tammy Eagle Bull. 2020-07-17. Nā Te Kore. en-US.
  53. Web site: Prominent American Indian Athletes:Ryneldi Becenti. . January 9, 2015.
  54. Web site: The resilience of Native American Catholicism. Ray. Cavanaugh. www.catholicworldreport.com.
  55. News: July 18, 2011 . Whispers in the Loggia . Render Unto Chaput – Sources: Denver's Capuchin = Philadelphia's Revolution . Palmo . Rocco . July 19, 2011.
  56. News: March 1999 . 12 . 2 . 7 . AD2000 . Charles Chaput: a remarkable American Archbishop . Power . Louis . July 19, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110804220254/http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/1999/mar1999p7_374.html . August 4, 2011 . mdy .
  57. Web site: NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS. 2020-08-29. NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS.
  58. Web site: Rewriting Navajo History. 2020-08-30. Native American Cultural Center. en-US.
  59. Web site: Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson. 29 August 2020. Changing the Face of Medicine.
  60. Web site: May 27, 2003 . Army Spc. Lori Piestewa . . July 31, 2007 . Rudi. Williams . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070808195738/http://defendamerica.mil/profiles/june2003/pr060203b.html . August 8, 2007.
  61. Web site: 2019-07-09. 10 of the Best Native American Museums in the United States. 2020-08-30. PowWows. en-US.
  62. Web site: 2006-09-06. First American Indian Youth Literature Awards Announced. 2020-08-30. Cynthia Leitich Smith. en-US.
  63. http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~loriene/index.html Loriene Roy web page
  64. Web site: ALA – Loriene Roy elected ALA president for 2007-2008. 5 June 2006. ala.org.
  65. http://www.libgig.com/roy LibGig
  66. Web site: Fuller. Jim. 2011-05-18. Connecticut Sun's Tahnee Robinson the First Native American in WNBA. 2020-08-29. The Middletown Press.
  67. Web site: 2014-06-12. First Native American US Ambassador Starts UN Job: Cal Alum Focused on Human Rights. 2020-08-29. Cal Alumni Association.
  68. Web site: 2014-06-02. Arizona State University Official Is Confirmed as the First American Indian Woman Federal Judge. 2020-08-30. Women In Academia Report.
  69. Web site: 2015-11-16. First Native American cannabis business opens. 2020-08-30. Marijuana Business Daily. en-US.
  70. Web site: Matt . Pearce . How Faith Spotted Eagle became the first Native American to win an electoral vote for president . . December 20, 2016 . December 25, 2016.
  71. News: How Faith Spotted Eagle became the first Native American to win an electoral vote for president . LA Times . 2016-12-21.
  72. Web site: Wyoming Women's History – Wyoming Women's Foundation. 2020-12-07. en-US.
  73. Web site: 13 April 2018. Chickasaw Woman Selected to Clerk for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. 2020-08-29. Chickasaw Nation.
  74. Web site: Bahr. Linsey. 26 October 2019. Wes Studi to make Oscars history for Native American actors. 2020-08-29. ABC News. en.
  75. Web site: About Joy Harjo. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200720043934/https://poets.org/poet/joy-harjo. 2020-07-20. 2020-08-29. Academy of American Poets.
  76. News: 17 August 2019. Cherokee Nation Seeks Congressional Delegate. News on 6. 30 August 2020.
  77. Web site: Get An Exclusive Sneak Peek At A Brand New Episode Of 'Molly Of Denali' On PBS Kids. Romper.
  78. Web site: National Gallery of Art purchases first painting by a Native American artist, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. USA TODAY.
  79. Web site: Ninham. Dan. 28 September 2019. Catching Up With World Class Cyclists Shayna and Neilson Powless (Oneida) at the UCI Road World Championships. 2020-08-30. NDNSPORTS. en-US.
  80. News: Kerber. Jasmine. 29 August 2020. Roseville 23-year-old will make history in his Tour de France debut this weekend. The Sacramento Bee. 29 August 2020.
  81. Web site: Neela-Stock. Siobhan. 9 February 2020. For the first time, an indigenous American tribe donates seeds to the doomsday vault. 2020-08-30. Mashable. en.
  82. Web site: Transgender and non-binary candidates elected in several US 'firsts'. Largs and Millport Weekly News.
  83. Web site: Baxter. Adelyn. 2020-02-13. Coin commemorating Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich released. 2020-11-11. Alaska Public Media. en-US.
  84. News: Cleveland . Parker . September 20, 2020 . Sunday Cup-o-American Soccer: News, artificial intelligence, and an important announcement . Stars and Stripes . September 26, 2020.
  85. Web site: National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL. www.nwslsoccer.com.
  86. Web site: Illustrator Michaela Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal. chicago.suntimes.com.
  87. News: Lakhani . Nina . Deb Haaland confirmed as first Indigenous US cabinet secretary . March 16, 2021 . The Guardian . March 15, 2021.
  88. Web site: Chavez. Aliyah. Deb Haaland swearing in details announced. 2021-03-17. Indian Country Today. en.
  89. Web site: Gabby Lemieux becomes first Native American to play in U.S. Women’s Open • The Seminole Tribune. Kevin. Johnson. July 5, 2022.
  90. Web site: Meet Raven Chacon, the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. Tom. Huizenga. May 10, 2022. NPR.
  91. Web site: First Native American woman in history to medal. Bailey. Marks.
  92. Web site: Malerba sworn in as 1st Native American in US Treasurer post. September 12, 2022. AP NEWS.
  93. Web site: Nicholson . Jonathan . 2022-06-21 . Biden Names Mohegan Tribe Member To Be First Native American U.S. Treasurer . 2022-06-21 . HuffPost . en.
  94. Web site: Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will make history as the first Native woman to fly into space. Jourdan. Bennett-Begaye. Anchorage Daily News.
  95. Web site: NASA astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will be the first Native American woman to travel to space . August 19, 2022 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US.
  96. News: August 18, 2022 . First Native American woman to travel to space . en-GB . BBC News . August 26, 2022.
  97. Web site: Oklahoman makes history being elected as first Native American United Methodist bishop. The Oklahoman.
  98. Web site: NASA astronaut becomes first Native American woman to conduct spacewalk. January 23, 2023. KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi.
  99. Web site: Larissa Fasthorse Becomes First Native American Woman Playwright on Broadway. Stacy. Thacker. Native News Online.
  100. Web site: Lily Gladstone Becomes First Indigenous Actor to Win a Golden Globe: "This is for Every Little Res Kid" . Rebecca . Sun . . January 7, 2024 . January 8, 2024.
  101. News: Staff . Native News Online . Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nimíipuu) Wins Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Golden Globes Award . January 16, 2024 . Native News Online . January 7, 2024 . January 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116161539/https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/lily-gladstone-blackfeet-wins-best-performance-by-an-actress-in-a-motion-picture-golden-globes-award . live .
  102. Web site: Don't know Lily Gladstone? The 'Killers of the Flower Moon' star is no newcomer . Meyer . Carla . . November 28, 2023 . November 30, 2023 . January 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240110211121/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2023-11-28/killers-of-the-flower-moon-lily-gladstone . live .
  103. Web site: Matador Marquee: Diverse Films. Persona Selector.
  104. Web site: Ordoña . Michael . The 2024 Oscar Nominations: Full List . subscription . February 29, 2024 . . January 23, 2024 . June 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626172343/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-01-23/oscars-nominations-2024-full-list . live.
  105. Web site: Lily Gladstone makes history with SAG Award win for Killers of the Flower Moon. Radio Times. February 25, 2024. February 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240225114726/https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/lily-gladstone-sag-award-win-history-newsupdate/. live.
  106. Web site: Pontone . Maya . Artist Jeffrey Gibson to Represent US at Venice Biennale . hyperallergic.com . 2023-07-29 . 2023-07-29.
  107. News: Artist Jeffrey Gibson Sues Chicago's Kavi Gupta Gallery, Alleging He Is Owed More Than $600,000. Alex Greenberger. August 7, 2023. ART News.
  108. News: Chicago dealer Kavi Gupta denies withholding payments of more than $600,000 from artist Jeffrey Gibson. Carlie Porterfield. August 7, 2023. The Art Newspaper.
  109. News: Steinhauer . Jillian . Representing the U.S. and Critiquing It in a Psychedelic Rainbow . 17 April 2024 . The New York Times . 13 April 2024.
  110. Web site: Congressman Tom Cole dwells on role as first Native American to lead House Appropriations Committee. April 24, 2024. KOSU.
  111. Web site: U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma tapped by GOP as House Appropriations chairman • Nebraska Examiner. Jennifer. Shutt. April 10, 2024.
  112. Web site: Sky Lakota-Lynch on Being the Rare Native American Actor to Be Nominated for a Tony Award | Playbill.
  113. Web site: Women's Boxing: Kali Reis-. www.womenboxing.com.
  114. Web site: Lily Gladstone and Kali Reis Make Emmys History as First Indigenous Women Nominated for Acting. Clayton. Davis. July 17, 2024.
  115. News: Hale . Nardos . January 9, 2024 . "I'm not fully this either": Lily Gladstone discusses pronoun inclusivity . February 26, 2024 . Salon . February 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227090057/https://www.salon.com/2024/01/09/lily-gladstone-pronouns-gender-nonbinary/ . live .
  116. Web site: June 16, 2023 . Pride Guide: 15 LGBTQ+ Filmmakers and Artists on the Rise in 2023 . February 26, 2024 . A.frame . . June 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230617013232/https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/pride-guide-2023-lgbtq-filmmakers-and-actors . live .