For centuries, Native Americans have been making a meaningful impact on society. From leading movements and protecting the environment to developing new technologies and inspiring others, Native Americans have been at the forefront of progress. Meet 10 famous Native Americans who are making an impact today!

From a former Miss America to a U.S. Senator, discover the inspiring stories of these influential Native Americans. Find out how they’re making a real difference in the lives of millions of people around the world. Read on and be inspired!

Are you ready to learn about 10 famous Native Americans who are making an impact today? Then don’t wait any longer. Discover their stories, the causes they are passionate about, and the impact they are making on the world. Take a look and be inspired!

#1. Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was a Native American athlete who was born in 1887 to a Sac and Fox family in Oklahoma. He was a two-time Olympic champion and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also an All-American football player and a professional baseball player. Thorpe was a pioneer in the world of sports, paving the way for other Native Americans to pursue their athletic dreams. He is considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time.

#2. Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller was a Cherokee leader who was born in 1945 in Oklahoma. She was the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and served in that position for 10 years. During her tenure, she was credited with helping to improve the lives of Cherokee citizens by increasing access to education, healthcare, and housing. She was also an advocate for Native American rights and frequently spoke out against injustice and racism. After her time as Chief, she continued to work as an advocate and mentor for Native American women.

#3. Russell Means

Russell Means was an Oglala Lakota activist who was born in 1939 in South Dakota. He was a key figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and helped lead the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties protest in Washington, D.C. He was a strong advocate for Native American rights and sovereignty and was a leader in the fight for tribal self-determination. Throughout his life, he also worked as an actor, appearing in films such as The Last of the Mohicans, Natural Born Killers, and Pathfinder.

#4. Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo is a Muscogee Creek poet and musician who was born in 1951 in Oklahoma. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant and is the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States. She is known for her poetry that draws on her Native American heritage and experience. Her work is often used in classrooms to teach students about Native American culture and history. She is also an accomplished musician, having released several albums of her original music.

#5. Robert Goombi

Robert Goombi was an Aboriginal Australian artist who was born in 1949 in Queensland. He was a member of the Kuku-Yalanji people and was well known for his vibrant paintings of his people’s culture and history. His work has been exhibited in many galleries around the world and he has been credited with helping to revive traditional Aboriginal art. He was also an advocate for Indigenous rights and was a leader in the fight for Native American sovereignty.

#6. Suzan Shown Harjo

Suzan Shown Harjo is a Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee activist and poet who was born in 1945 in El Reno, Oklahoma. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant and is known for her advocacy for Indigenous rights. She is the president of the Morning Star Institute, a Native American advocacy organization, and is the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians. She is also an accomplished writer and poet, with several books and collections of poetry to her name.

#7. Billy Mills

Billy Mills is an Oglala Lakota Olympic gold medalist who was born in 1938 in South Dakota. He is best known for his surprise win in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal in any event. He is also a motivational speaker and works with youth to help them reach their goals. He is a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and is a leader in the fight for Native American sovereignty.

#8. Winona LaDuke

Winona LaDuke is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) activist and writer who was born in 1959 in Minnesota. She is a leader in the fight for Indigenous rights and sovereignty and is a two-time vice-presidential candidate with the Green Party. She is the executive director of Honor the Earth, an organization that works to protect Native American lands and raise awareness of environmental issues. She is also a Harvard-trained economist and the author of several books and articles about Indigenous issues.

#9. Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie is a Spokane-Coeur d’Alene writer who was born in 1966 in Washington. He is best known for his writing, which draws on his Native American heritage and experience. He is a recipient of the National Book Award and has written several books, including The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. He is also a filmmaker and has directed several films, including Smoke Signals, which won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award.

#10. Buffy Sainte-Marie

Buffy Sainte-Marie is a Cree singer-songwriter who was born in 1941 in Saskatchewan. She is known for her folk music, which draws on her Native American heritage and experience. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. She is also an advocate for Indigenous rights and is a leader in the fight for Native American sovereignty. Throughout her career, she has been an outspoken advocate for Indigenous rights, and her music has been a powerful force for social change.

We hope you enjoyed learning about some of the most influential and inspiring Native Americans of today. They are great examples of how Native American communities are changing the world and making a positive impact. We invite you to learn more about the many other inspiring Native Americans who are making a difference in the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. We hope it has inspired you and has given you a better understanding of the impact Native Americans are making today.