Native American Lives

Carrie Cavender Schommer grew up in a home where Dakota was spoken, but going to school where everyone spoke English kept her from sharing her love of her Indigenous language. As an adult, Schommer spent decades teaching Dakota language and culture at the University of Minnesota and in her home community. From her childhood to her achievements as an educator, explore the inspiring life of Schommer.

Growing up, Ella Cara Deloria loved listening to her family tell stories in the Dakota language. As an adult, she recorded many Native American peoples' stories and languages and shared them with everyone. She helped protect her people's language for future generations. From recording stories to writing stories of her own, learn all about the life of Deloria.

Charles Albert Bender was a World Series-winning pitcher and the first Minnesotan picked to join the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He grew up poor on a farm and lived far away from his home and family while attending an Indian boarding school in Pennsylvania. From always working hard to inventing the slider, learn all about the life of Bender.

Peggy Flanagan is the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. She is the highest-ranking Native woman holding statewide office in the United States. Her whole life, she knew that the school system doesn't tell Native American stories in a true way. From working to change how Native peoples' stories are told to making life better for all Minnesotans, learn all about the life of Flanagan.