Native American Lives

Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota speaking seven languages and watching her father, Jean Baptiste Bottineau, fight for the rights of his communities as a lawyer. Bottineau Baldwin followed in his footsteps, becoming an activist, lawyer, and the first Native American woman to graduate from the Washington College of Law. From marching with suffragists to advocating for the rights of Native Americans, learn all about the life of Bottineau Baldwin.

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.

George Morrison, a skilled Ojibwe artist, grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, and by the age of nine was known for his drawing and creative talents. He graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and went on to create paintings and sculptures that were exhibited in galleries nationally. One of his sculptures was installed at the White House. From painting to traveling and teaching other artists, learn all about the life of modernist artist Morrison.

Sharon Day is the founder and executive director of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force. She grew up with her brothers and sisters on the Bois Forte Indian Reservation, and early on learned of the importance and meaning of water for herself and her community. From her water protector walks to her other work as an Ojibwe activist, learn all about the life of Day.

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.

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.

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.