In America, there is a long and significant history of Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaskan Natives. The motivational Native American Heritage Month speakers on this list celebrate their rich culture and heritage through their art, writing, advocacy, and speaking. These well-known Native American voices advocate for recognition of the significant contributions Indigenous people have made to the diverse traditions and cultures of America.

Billy Mills

Billy Mills is the second Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. Mills overcame racism, family tragedy, and poverty to achieve his dream of winning an Olympic medal. Since then, he has established Running Strong for American Indian Youth, a non-profit organization that has given young Native Americans several opportunities and resources, using his victory as an opportunity to give back to his community. Mills has also won various awards, including the President's Council Lifetime Achievement Award, the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Obama, and induction into the Olympic Hall of Fame.

Gyasi Ross

Gyasi Ross is an author, speaker, and storyteller. Gyasi lives on the Port Madison Indian Reservation close to Seattle and is a member of the Blackfeet Nation. TV and radio shows, as well as print and online outlets, often seek his opinion on politics, sports, pop culture, and their intersections with Native life. Ross is the author of two books: Don’t Know Much About Indians (but I wrote a book about us anyways) (2011) and How to Say I Love You in Indian (2014). He is in high demand as a speaker on race, social justice, and white privilege, as well as issues affecting contemporary Native Americans.

Winona LaDuke

Winona LaDuke is a Harvard-educated economist, author, hemp farmer, grandmother, and two-time Green Party Vice Presidential candidate alongside Ralph Nader. LaDuke's areas of expertise include rural development, economic, food, and energy sovereignty, as well as environmental justice. She lives and works on the White Earth reservation in northern Minnesota, where she is the founder of several organizations, including Honor the Earth (which she co-founded with The Indigo Girls 28 years ago), Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute, Akiing, and Winona's Hemp. These organizations create and model culturally based sustainable development strategies that make use of renewable energy and food systems.

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