Zitkala-Sa

About

Native American writer, musician, teacher and political activist of Yankton heritage. She co-founded the National Council of American Indians. 

Before Fame

Before her years of activism, she was an academic scholar who studied and taught music. During her graduation, she gave a speech on women's rights that received high praise from local newspapers. 

Trivia

She co-composed the first American-Indian opera. 

Family Life

She was born in South Dakota on a reservation to a Yankton mother and a French father. While she was young, her father abandoned their family. She married Raymond Bonnin in 1902 and they had a daughter together. 

Associated With

Her influence made way for the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.