8 Native American Scientists And Their Important Contributions

To celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, we recognize these Indigenous innovators who led inspiring lives, from the NASA astronaut to the accomplished archaeologist.

By Marisa Sloan
Oct 10, 2022 6:10 PMOct 10, 2022 5:11 PM
Astronaut John Herrington
Former NASA astronaut John Herrington, of Chickasaw heritage, smiles in the Quest Airlock on the International Space Station in 2002. (Credit: NASA on The Commons/Wikimedia Commons)

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This article was originally published on November 16, 2021.

October celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day and November is Native American Heritage Month, also commonly referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It's a time to celebrate the many traditions and histories of Native people, and we're taking the opportunity to highlight the important contributions that they have made to science. In many instances, these Indigenous innovators — including physicians, engineers, anthropologists, archaeologists and astronauts — overcame challenges unique to all tribal citizens, both historic and current.

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