Madonna Thunder Hawk facts for kids

Madonna Thunder Hawk (born Madonna Gilbert) is a well-known Native American civil rights activist. She is famous for being a leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM). She also helped start important groups like Women of All Red Nations (WARN) and the Black Hills Alliance.

Madonna Thunder Hawk has worked hard to protect Native American rights and lands. She was an organizer against the Dakota Access Pipeline. She also created the Wasagiya Najin Grandmothers' Group. This group helps build strong family connections on the Cheyenne River. She works as the Director of Grassroots Organizing for the Red Road Institute. Thunder Hawk has spoken around the world. She was a delegate to the United Nations. She is currently a main leader for the Lakota People's Law Project.

Early Life and Education

Madonna Thunder Hawk was born in 1940. Her birth name was Madonna Phillips. She was born on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. She comes from the Feather Necklace Tiospaye, which is an extended family. She is part of the Oohenumpa band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Madonna was raised in a strict home. Her mother had attended boarding schools. Madonna also went to several boarding schools when she was young. Later, she earned a bachelor's degree in human services.

Fighting for Rights

Madonna Thunder Hawk is like a grandmother to many young Native American activists. Her main goals have always been to get justice for Native Americans. She also works to make sure Native children have the best possible future.

She was an early supporter of the Red Power Movement. This movement worked for Native American rights and self-determination.

Important Protests

In 1969, Madonna Thunder Hawk took part in the Occupation of Alcatraz. This protest lasted from 1969 to 1971. The goal was to convince the government to change its policies. They wanted the government to support Native American self-determination.

In 1970 and 1971, she was involved in two protests at Mount Rushmore. The US government took this land in 1877. The protests were against breaking the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie.

Helping Native Youth

Madonna Thunder Hawk helped create the "We Will Remember Survival School." This school was for Native American youth. It helped young people whose parents were facing legal issues. It also helped those who had left the regular school system.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

Thunder Hawk joined the American Indian Movement (AIM) when it was new. AIM is a group that works for Native American rights. She was present at AIM's protest at Wounded Knee.

She was also a member of the Pie Patrol. This was a group of women active in AIM. Other members included Thelma Rios, Theda Nelson Clarke, and Lorelei DeCora Means.

After Wounded Knee

After the Wounded Knee protest, Thunder Hawk continued her work. She directed the Wounded Knee Legal Defense Offense Committee (WKLDOC). This group helped with legal support.

She helped found the 'We Will Remember Survival School' again. This school provided a safe place for Native American youth. It was especially for children whose parents were involved in the Wounded Knee trials. This school was an alternative to government-run education.

Women of All Red Nations (WARN)

In 1974, Thunder Hawk and Lorelei DeCora, along with other Native American women, started Women of All Red Nations (WARN). This group focused on issues important to Native American women. They worked on rights for political prisoners and children. They also fought to protect Native lands.

Protecting Sacred Lands

Thunder Hawk was a co-founder of the Black Hills Alliance. This group stopped a company from mining uranium on sacred Lakota land. She worked hard to protect the Black Hills. She also tested water supplies on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Her work showed high radiation levels in the water. Because of her activism, a new water system was put in place.

In 2004, Thunder Hawk joined the Romero Institute. They formed the Lakota People's Law Project (LPLP). This project works to protect Native American children. It helps more Lakota children stay with their families or on their ancestral lands.

Thunder Hawk also created Wasagiya Najin, or the "Grandmothers' Group." This group helps prevent children from being wrongly taken from their tribal nations.

In 2016, Thunder Hawk joined the movement against the Dakota Access pipeline. She was an inspiring presence at the resistance camp in North Dakota. Thunder Hawk is also a founder of the Warrior Women Project.

Film and Television Appearances

Madonna Thunder Hawk has appeared in several films and television shows. These often highlight her activism and the history of Native American rights.

Legacy and Recognition

Madonna Thunder Hawk's work has been recognized in many books. These books discuss her activism and the history of Native American rights. Some of these include Blood on the Border: A Memoir of the Contra War by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and Timelines of American Women's History by Sue Heinemann.