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The real story of how the United States began has had a tough time getting told, and the bravery, persistence, and resistance of the Native American people in North America are a big and necessary part of that story. Fighting against the now-disgraced ideals of manifest destiny, from the 15th century to the 21st century these Native American heroes put their lives on the line to keep their special cultures alive.

Curious to know more? Click on the gallery to learn about some of the greatest Native American heroes from history.

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Zitkala-Sa, later known by her Christian name Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was born in 1879 to a Sioux mother and white father. Throughout her life, she focused on preserving her cultural heritage and worked towards creating more opportunities for Native American women.

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Zitkala-Sa, a polymath musician, writer, educator, and activist, not only wrote the first opera focused on indigenous values and the native way of life but also collaborated with various activist groups. Her goal was to foster a sense of nationwide unity among indigenous communities, striving for equal rights in the oppressive European-American society that exerted significant control over the freedom of Native Americans by the 19th century.

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Crazy Horse, a Lakota tribal chief, fought alongside Sitting Bull throughout the Great Sioux War of 1879. He devoted his life to protecting the Black Hills of South Dakota.

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Crazy Horse, renowned for his courage in battle and unwavering resistance against the white expansionists' beliefs and customs, played a significant role in the Sioux Wars. His devotion to his sick wife was displayed when he fearlessly defied a colonial decree to transport her to her parents, ultimately putting his life at stake. The iconic monument of his face, meticulously carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, immortalizes his memory as a valiant defender of this very land he fought relentlessly to protect.

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Geronimo, a notable warrior, served as a leader for the Chiricahua Apache tribe in present-day southwestern United States and Mexico. He skillfully conducted raids on expanding settlements throughout Mexico and the Southwestern region of North America.

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Geronimo was surrounded by numerous supernatural legends, including claims of his abilities to slow down bullets and foresee the outcomes of battles miles away. Eventually, it required a substantial force of the American Army, alongside assistance from the Mexican military, to successfully capture Geronimo. Consequently, he spent the final twenty years of his life as a prisoner of war.

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In 1985, Wilma Mankiller became the first recorded female chief of the Cherokee Nation and achieved remarkable accomplishments for those living on reservations during her lifetime.

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During her time as chief of the Cherokee nation and even before and after, Mankiller actively impacted indigenous communities through practical and observable improvements. In the 1980s, she spearheaded the organization of the Bell community in Oklahoma. This initiative successfully brought about the construction of a 16-mile water pipeline, addressing the absence of running water in the area. As a result, over 200 indigenous families gained access to this vital resource.

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Sequoyah's impact on indigenous American culture and its conservation is immeasurable. In the early 19th century, Sequoyah diligently created the Cherokee syllabary, a remarkable feat achieved over a period of 12 years.

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This event, the only one of its kind to occur in North America, enabled all the Cherokee tribes to have a common written language for the first time. Sequoyah's alphabet gained immense popularity, leading to a Cherokee literacy rate that surpassed 100% by the 1850s, exceeding that of the European colonizers.

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Susan La Flesche Picotte was inspired to become a doctor after observing a doctor of European descent deny medical assistance to an ill Native American woman.

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Picotte, born in 1865 to Omaha-European parents, was the first indigenous woman in the US to achieve a medical degree. She dedicated her life to serving the Omaha reservation as its sole doctor, covering a vast area of 1,400 square miles (3,625 square kilometers). Patients would seek treatment from her both at her home (pictured) and through her extensive travels.

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Sarah Winnemucca, also known as Tocmectone, hailed from the Paiute tribe and resided in the Colorado River Basin. She gained recognition as an exceptional Native American writer, primarily praised for her notable novel 'Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims' published in 1883. What's more, Winnemucca was also an accomplished and determined activist and diplomat.

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Winnemucca served as an interpreter for reservation agents and strived to promote peace and equality. Additionally, she successfully saved her father and other Piutes from captivity during the Bannock War of 1878.

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Chief Powhatan was one of the initial chiefs encountered by European settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. He governed around 30 Algonquian-speaking tribes, comprising approximately 15,000 individuals.

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There was an initial friendly and helpful attitude towards the newcomers, but war erupted between the two groups when the intentions of the colonialists became clear. However, by 1618, peace was restored following the marriage of the late leader's daughter, Pocahontas, to Englishman John Rolfe.

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Chief Tamanend, often called Tamanend the Friendly, led the Lenni-Lenape Clan in the 17th century. He is widely known for signing the Treaty of Penn alongside colonialist William of Penn.

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Tamanend spent his life committed to fostering peace and friendship between his community and the newcomers residing on his territory. His remarkable success in maintaining harmony earned him the moniker of America's Patron Saint.

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Tecumseh garnered respect among indigenous American communities and European colonialists alike for his strong opposition to westward white expansion in the early 1800s.

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Born the son of a chief of a Shawnee tribe in modern-day Ohio, Tecumseh organized huge numbers of tribes in the area to fight westward expansion and was largely successful for a time, until Tecumseh was killed in battle.

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Cochise, recognized for his remarkable height and skill in combat, was a soldier of the Chihuicahui Apache tribe who resisted colonization from Mexico and the United States.

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Despite their efforts, Cochise and his fellow tribesmen were eventually overcome by the American Army after the Civil War redirected their attention eastward. Following their defeat, new regiments armed with superior weapons were dispatched to the West. Cochise's surrender was marked by his renowned statement: "My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever." This declaration signified the end of their resistance.

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Sacheen Littlefeather made a big statement at the 1973 Oscars when she turned down Marlon Brando's Best Actor award. She was protesting against the way Native Americans were portrayed in American movies and TV. She also mentioned the tragic events at Wounded Knee, which had happened just a month earlier.

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During the event, Littlefeather, President of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, delivered her speech in a composed and dignified manner. The audience, predominantly white, responded with a mix of cheers, jeers, and boos. Although Littlefeather's speech is now highly admired and respected, the incident became infamous due to the actions of actor John Wayne, who had to be restrained while trying to physically remove Littlefeather from the stage. Furthermore, presenter Clint Eastwood made overtly racist comments on television immediately after the incident. It wasn't until 2022 that the Academy officially apologized to Littlefeather.

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Lakota Chief Red Cloud, born in the early 19th century, fiercely opposed the white expansionism encroaching upon his beloved Great Plains region. Through his leadership, Red Cloud achieved significant triumphs against the colonialists during what historians refer to as Red Cloud's War.

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Later in life, Red Cloud, weary of the atrocities of war, became a proponent of peace. In 1868, the chief affixed his signature to the Treaty of Fort Laramie, effectively establishing a provisional cease-fire in the region.

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Sitting Bull, the esteemed Dakota chief, emerged as an iconic figure in Native American history. With remarkable triumphs, he united the Sioux Tribes in resistance against the encroaching colonial forces, earning an almost legendary reputation.

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In the days before important battles, Sitting Bull performed a continuous ceremonial dance for 36 hours. He then shared with his tribespeople that he had a vision of triumph in their future. Shortly after, the chief led numerous victorious assaults against the invaders, notably the renowned Battle of Little Big Horn.

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Victorio, another Apache chief praised for his battlefield prowess and knack for strategy, has been known throughout history for his impressive leadership during Victorio's War of 1879.

With a tiny band of no more than 200 warriors behind him, Victorio gained victory over American and Mexican expansionist settlements as well as countless raids and ambushes. Eventually, he and his men were cornered by Mexican authorities in 1880.

Sources: (Biography) (Britannica) (Listverse)