This is a list of Native American firsts. Native American people were the first people to live in the area that is now known as the United States.[1] This is a chronological list of the first accomplishments that Native Americans have achieved both through their tribal identities and also through the culture of the United States over time. It includes individuals and groups of people who are indigenous to contemporary United States. This includes Native Americans in the United States, which includes American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
First Native American recorded as preaching Christianity to a non-Native audience: Samson Occom (Mohegan).[14]
1770s
1772
First published literary work by a Native American: A Sermon Preached at the Execution of Moses Paul, an Indian by Samson Occom (Mohegan).[9]
1790s
1794
First Native American published, written report of other Native American peoples in the English language: A Short Narration of My Last Journey to the Western Country by Hendrick Aupaumut (Mohican).[9]
First Native American newspaper and first newspaper published in an Indigenous language: The Cherokee Phoenix.[20] First editor of the paper was Buck Watie (Cherokee).[20]
1829
First full-length autobiography published by a Native American: A Son of the Forest by William Apess (Pequot).[21]
First tribal newspaper published for the Quileute people: The Quileute Independent created by Webster Hudson (Quileute).[44]
First paniolos to win at the Frontier Days rodeo competition: Ikua Purdy (Native Hawaiian), Archie Ka'au'a (Native Hawaiian), and Jack Low (Native Hawaiian).[45]
First Native American woman to work for Lockheed, and probably first Native American woman aeronautical engineer: Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee Nation).[79]
First Native American commissioned pilot in the United States Navy: Tom Oxendine (Lumbee).[80]
First anthology of Native American women's art and literature is published: A Gathering of Spirit: A Collection by North American Women edited by Beth Brant (Mohawk).[102]
First television documentary produced by a crew of all-Indigenous people: I'd Rather Be Powwowing, directed by Larry Littlebird (Kewa Pueblo).[124]
First Native American to receive the Freeman Tilden Award from the National Park Service and the National Parks and Conservation Association: Wilson Hunter (Navajo).[140]
First Native American openly transgender person elected to office in America: Stephanie Byers, elected to the Kansas state House of Representatives (Chickasaw Nation).[177]
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