Did You Know They'Re Native? August 23, 2011

A new exhibit at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston spotlights high-achieving Native Americans of the present and past. 'Did You Know They're Native?' consists of photos and biographical information depicting 24 noteworthy people of Native American descent, "celebrities and industry leaders that you may not have known were Native and new faces that have also made major contributions in their field," according to exhibit materials. The roster includes David W. Anderson, founder of Famous Dave's barbeque restaurant chain; Fred Begay, nuclear physicist; Notah Begay III, professional golfer; Chuck Billy, vocalist with the rock band Testament; Mary Katherine Campbell, two-time winner of the Miss America pageant; Lyda Conley, first female Native American attorney; Rita Coolidge, Grammy Award-winning musician; Polly Cooper, who helped Gen. George Washington's army at Valley Forge; Joseph Medicine Crow, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Charles Curtis, thirty-first vice president of the United States; Jimi Hendrix, rock musician; actor James Earl Jones and Levi Horn, Chicago Bears offensive tackle. In the exhibit area, visitors can submit names and information about Native Americans they'd like to see featured. Books of Native American biographies are available, and visitors can leave with a printed handout of sources for further research. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.