Henrietta Mann facts for kids

Henrietta Verle Mann (born in 1934) is a respected Native American teacher and activist. She is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. She helped create special programs called Native American Studies at several big universities. These include the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Montana, and Haskell Indian Nations University.

In 2000, she made history. She became the first American Indian to hold a special teaching position at Montana State University. This position was called the endowed chair of Native American Studies. She also received the Montana Governor's Humanities Award that year. Henrietta Mann retired from teaching in 2004. After that, she became a special advisor to the president of Montana State University.

Early Life and Education

Henrietta Verle Mann, often called "Henri," was born in 1934. Her birthplace was Clinton, in Custer County, Oklahoma. Her parents were Lanora E. and Henry Mann. Her family was part of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Her father was a farmer who raised cattle. Her mother took care of chickens.

Henrietta's great-grandmothers were very important. One was White Buffalo Woman, who survived the Sand Creek massacre. The other was Vister, who survived the Washita Massacre. Her mother was Christian. However, most of her family followed traditional beliefs. They also followed the Native American Church.

Learning the Cheyenne Language

Henrietta's first language was Cheyenne. Even after she started school, her aunt helped her. Every day, her aunt taught her about Cheyenne culture.

After finishing high school in 1950, Mann went to college. She studied at Southwestern State College. In 1954, she earned her bachelor's degree in English. Her parents gave her a special Indian name: "The Woman Who Comes to Offer Prayer." She later married Alfred Whiteman and had four children. She worked as a high school English teacher.

Career and Activism

Henrietta Mann became an elected member of her Tribal Council. She helped write a federal law. This law led to her tribe receiving $15 million from the U.S. government in 1967. This was part of settlements from the Indian Claims Commission.

She strongly believed in creating Native American Studies programs. She felt these programs would help American Indians understand themselves better. They would also help them gain control over their own lives. She was the first president of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal college.

Developing Native American Studies

In 1970, Henrietta earned her master's degree in English literature. She then joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley. She helped create the first degree program for ethnic studies in the United States.

That same year, she helped start the National Indian Women's Action Corps. This group aimed to empower Native American women. In 1972, she moved to the University of Montana. There, she directed the Native American Studies program. She was a key person in designing the courses. She taught at the university for 28 years.

Continuing Education and Leadership

Henrietta continued her education as a Danforth Fellow. In 1982, she earned her PhD in American Studies. This was from the University of New Mexico. That year, she was named Cheyenne Indian of the Year.

Between 1986 and 1987, she took a break from the University of Montana. She taught at Harvard University. She also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She was the first American Indian woman to direct Indian education programs. In 1987, she was named Indian Woman of the Year.

Later Career and Honors

In 1991, Henrietta focused more on writing. She was featured in Rolling Stone magazine. They named her one of the top ten professors in the United States. She became a respected speaker on Indian education.

From 1993 to 1994, she helped design a Native American Studies Program. This was for Haskell Indian Nations University. Around 1998, she began using her maiden name, Mann, again.

In 2000, she received the Montana Governor's Humanities Award. In 2001, Mann moved to Montana State University (MSU). She became the first person to hold a special teaching position there. She retired from teaching in 2003. After that, she became a special advisor to the president of Montana State University.

Henrietta Mann also served as a trustee for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. This museum opened in 2004. In 2008, she received a lifetime achievement award. In 2016, she was elected to the National Academy of Education.

On March 21, 2023, President Joe Biden honored her. She received the National Humanities Medal. This is one of the nation’s highest honors. Henrietta Mann is known for making Native American studies stronger in higher education.

Images for kids

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  National Arts and Humanities Medal Ceremony Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the East Room of the White House