Zitkala-Ša: Commemorating Her Art, Life, And Legacy

Visit the the BYU Library’s Special Collections to learn more about Zitkala-Ša, an influential Dakota writer, educator, musician, and political activist.

Her name, Zitkala-Ša, translates to “Red Bird” in the Lakota language. She was born and raised on the Yankton Indian Reservation until the age of eight when she was taken to a Quaker boarding school where she spent the next three years. Later she studied the violin at the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Zitkala-Ša dedicated a significant portion of her life to advocating for various Native nations. She played a pivotal role in the progression of legislation that had a positive impact on Indigenous peoples.

She was the editor of American Indian Magazine and she and her husband co-founded the National Council of American Indians (NCAI).

The NCAI records are part of our collections.

Zitkala-Ša: Commemorating Her Art, Life, And Legacy is located on level 1 of the BYU library.

The public is welcome and admission is free.