Oceti Sakowin writer, music activist Zitkala-Sa, celebrated by Google Doodle on its 145th birthday

RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – Google Doodle on Monday celebrates the 145th birthday of a writer, musician and Oceti Sakowin activist of the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Zitkala-Sa was born on February 22, 1876 and brought traditional Native American stories to a wide audience. Zitkala-Sa published Native American culture legends and autobiographical stories between 1900 and 1904.

Zitkala-Sa worked with American composer William F. Hanson in 1913 to write the first Native American opera, The Sun Dance Opera. The production premiered at Orpheus Hall in Vernal, Utah and consisted of members of the Ute Nation.

Politically, Zitkala-Sa was instrumental in passing laws that strengthened Native American governance. She campaigned for the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924 and the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, and was a co-founder of the National Council of American Indians in 1924. The council campaigned for Native American citizenship and other civil rights. She was also involved in the women’s rights movement.

Zitkala-Sa died in Washington DC on January 26, 1938. She was buried at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.

Copyright 2021 KOTA. All rights reserved.