Born: September 26, 1954 (Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota)
Biography:
Mary Brave Bird, also known as Mary Brave Woman Olguin and Mary Crow Dog, was a Sicangu Lakota writer and activist who made significant contributions to the American Indian Movement (AIM) and played a prominent role in indigenous activism during the 1970s. Born on September 26, 1954, in South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Reservation, Brave Bird experienced a childhood deeply rooted in Lakota traditions and culture.
Raised by her grandparents while her mother pursued her nursing studies, Brave Bird grew up influenced by various family members who adhered to traditional practices. Her granduncle Dick Fool Bull introduced her to the Native American Church, which would have a lasting impact on her spiritual journey. As a young girl, she attended the St. Francis Indian School, a Roman Catholic boarding school in St. Francis, South Dakota.
In 1971, at the age of 18, Brave Bird joined AIM after being inspired by a speech given by Leonard Crow Dog. AIM was a grassroots movement that fought for indigenous rights and aimed to address issues such as land rights, treaty violations, and cultural preservation. She actively participated in historic events, including the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties and the subsequent occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in the 1973 Occupation of Wounded Knee, a 71-day standoff between AIM activists and the U.S. government that brought international attention to longstanding grievances within Native American communities.
Throughout her life, Brave Bird faced numerous challenges and hardships. She married Leonard Crow Dog but later divorced him. In 1991, she married Rudy Olguin and had two children with him, Summer Olguin and Rudy Olguin. She also had four other children in total. Despite personal struggles, she remained actively involved in the Native American Church and was a devoted grandmother.
Brave Bird’s writing career played a significant role in preserving her experiences and advocating for indigenous rights. She authored two memoirs, Lakota Woman in 1990 and Ohitika Woman in 1993, with the assistance of her longtime friend Richard Erdoes. Lakota Woman, published under the name Mary Crow Dog, won the prestigious American Book Award in 1991. The book provides a detailed account of her life until 1977, highlighting the conditions faced by the Lakota people and her experiences growing up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and the neighboring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Brave Bird sheds light on the mistreatment of Native Americans and their children by the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs during the mid-1900s. Themes of gender, identity, and racial inequality are also central in her memoirs.
Mary Brave Bird’s activism, writing, and resilience continue to inspire countless individuals, particularly women and Native American communities. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the cultural, social, and political landscape, making her an iconic figure in women’s history and indigenous rights.
Awards:
– American Book Award (1991) for Lakota Woman