Native History

On This Date in History: First American Indian Senator Named

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – A social milestone was reached on this date – January 29 – in 1907 when US Congressman Charles Curtis of Kansas was seated in the United States Senate filling the unexpired term of Senator Joseph R. Burton who resigned.

US Senator Charles Curtis – Kaw Tribe

He was also chosen to serve a full term in that office. Curtis became the first person with American Indian blood to serve in the Senate. He remained until March 3, 1929, when he left the Senate to serve as vice president under Herbert Hoover. Curtis was an enrolled member of the Kaw Tribe.

There are over 5.2 million Native Americans in the US today. Only two American Indians serve in congress today. Both Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin serve in the US House of Representatives representing districts in the state of Oklahoma.

Of the more than 900,000 American Indians in the workforce, nearly 10 percent are in public administration.

Information provided by the US Census Bureau;
posted January 29, 2013 4:20 pm est