Top 10 Famous Native American Indian Chiefs

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This CALIE resource is being compiled to introduce young Native American Indian students to a few of their nations' most famous Indian chiefs of North America, the brave tribal leaders and warriors who have left their mark on the history of our great lands — please do your own research to learn more in-depth facts, biographies and their most noteworthy quotes about these famous Native American Indians.

The California Indian Education website's top ten Indian chiefs is not so much about listing the top 10 chiefs of all time (which would be impossible), but this guide is about beginning a study resource to familiarize students with some of the most important Native American leaders of the known past.

FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS LEADERS WARRIORS QUOTATIONS SPEECHES

Indian Chiefs, Warriors, Leaders (Click on Picture to Learn More)

Geronimo
Apache
1829-1909
Chief Joseph
Nez Perce
1840-1904
Benito Juarez
Zapoteca
1806-1872
American Horse
Sioux
c: 1800-1876

Tecumseh
Shawnee
1768-1813
Black Hoof
Shawnee
c: 1740-1831
Cochise
Apache
1812-1874
Sitting Bull
Lakota
c: 1831-1890

Captain Jack
Modoc
1837-1873

Crazy Horse
Lakota
c. 1845-1877

Famous Indians

Ishi
Yahi
1860-1916

Rupert Costo
Cahuilla
1906-1989

Jim Thorpe
Sac & Fox
1887-1953

Ira Hayes
Pima
1923-1955

Famous Non-Indians

Edward Curtis
Photographer
1868-1952