This Day in Native American and Indigenous History

Saturday, January 24, 2026

January 24 marks a pivotal and devastating turning point in Indigenous history, primarily due to the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. While this event is often celebrated as the beginning of the California Gold Rush, for Native Americans, it initiated a period of displacement, disease, and genocide.

The California Gold Rush (January 24, 1848)

On this day, James W. Marshall discovered gold flakes at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. This discovery triggered the largest mass migration in U.S. history, but its impact on the Indigenous population was catastrophic:

Population Collapse: Before the discovery of gold, the Native population in California was approximately 150,000. Within 20 years, an estimated 80% were wiped out. By 1873, only 30,000 remained.
State-Sponsored Violence: Between 9,000 and 16,000 Native Americans were murdered in cold blood. The state of California spent roughly $1.7 million to sponsor and assist in this policy of genocide.
Forced Labor: Before the rush, landowner John Sutter had already been using local Indigenous people for labor on his farms and ranches, sometimes using armed posses to return those who tried to leave and subjecting them to whippings or execution. During the Gold Rush, some miners used “50 Indians” at a time to extract gold.
Specific Tribal Impacts: Groups like the Nisenan Maidu, who lived in the immediate area of the discovery, were almost entirely obliterated by the sudden influx of thousands of settlers who brought disease and overused the land’s resources.

Other Historical Events on January 24

Surrender of the Poplar Camp Sioux (1881): Major George Ilges and a force of 300 men encountered approximately 400 Sioux from Montana on the Missouri River. After a few cannon rounds were fired, the Sioux were forced to surrender. Ilges captured over 300 people, 200 horses, and 69 guns.
Birth of Maria Tallchief (1925): Born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief on January 24, she was a member of the Osage Nation and became America’s first major prima ballerina. She is credited with revolutionizing American ballet.
Invention of the Eskimo Pie (1922): While not an Indigenous achievement, this commercial product—whose name has since been criticized for its use of an exonym—was patented on this day.

Relevant Observances

While not specific to January 24, these related dates honor Indigenous history and resilience:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Now formally recognized by a presidential proclamation in 2021, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October to honor the contributions and sovereignty of Tribal Nations.
Native American Heritage Day: Designated as the Friday following Thanksgiving.
Red Shawl Day (November 19): Observed to draw attention to violence against Indigenous people, particularly women and children.

Would you like me to find more details on the specific 2019 apology from the state of California regarding the Gold Rush genocide?

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

I wanted to focus on Maria Tallchief who was more than just a talented dancer; she was a pioneer who shattered the “glass ceiling” of the 20th-century arts world. At a time when ballet was considered an exclusively European art form,

she became America’s first major prima ballerinaand the first Native American to hold the rank.

Her significance to Indigenous dancers and the broader arts community can be broken down into several key areas:

1. Breaking the “Russian” Monopoly

In the 1940s, the ballet world was so dominated by Russians that many dancers felt they had to change their names to sound Eastern European to be taken seriously.

Refusal to Assimilate: When dance instructors suggested she change her last name to “Tallchieva” to sound more Russian, she famously refused.
The Name “Maria”: While she did combine her first and middle names (Elizabeth Marie) into “Maria,” she insisted on keeping Tallchief to honor her Osage heritage.

2. Redefining the American Style

Tallchief was the muse for the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Together, they created a new, “American” style of ballet that was faster, more athletic, and more aggressive than the traditional European style.

The Firebird: Her 1949 performance in The Firebird was a cultural phenomenon. Her explosive energy and technical precision proved that an American (and an Indigenous woman) could be the best in the world.
The Nutcracker: She was the original Sugar Plum Fairy in Balanchine’s 1954 production, helping to turn The Nutcracker into the annual holiday tradition it is today.

3. Economic and Social Advocacy

Tallchief used her platform to advocate for the rights of the Osage Nation and for better treatment of Indigenous people in the arts.

The Osage Connection: Her family was part of the “Osage Reign of Terror” era (the wealth and subsequent murders of Osage people due to oil headrights). Her success provided a narrative of resilience and excellence during a period of intense trauma for her people.
Refusal of Stereotypes: She consistently turned down roles that she felt were caricatures of Native Americans, insisting that her merit as a classical dancer should stand on its own without being “exoticized.”

4. Mentorship and Legacy: The “Five Moons”

Tallchief was the most prominent of the “Five Moons,” a group of five Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma who achieved international fame in the mid-20th century. The others were:

Marjorie Tallchief (her sister)
Yvonne Chouteau
Rosella Hightower
Moscelyne Larkin

Resources Links for those who want to learn more about Indigenous worldviews, systemic challenges, etc.

The Indigenous Foundation – A collection of articles on topics like storytelling, systemic issues, and cultural principles such as the Seven Generations concept. Great for understanding Indigenous worldviews and history.
Read here [theindigen…dation.org]
The Conversation – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – Research-based articles on treaties, health disparities, and systemic challenges in Australia, offering lessons on equity and justice.
Explore articles [theconversation.com]
UN News: Challenges Faced by Indigenous Peoples – Highlights global issues of exclusion, rights violations, and the importance of Indigenous governance systems.
Read more [news.un.org]
World Bank Indigenous Peoples Overview – Explains Indigenous peoples’ role in biodiversity and development, while addressing poverty and systemic barriers.
View overview [worldbank.org]jn

Bibliography

California Gold Rush & Indigenous Genocide

Castillo, E. D. (1998). A short overview of California Indian history. California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, Sonoma State University.
— Foundational overview of pre- and post-contact Native population decline and colonial violence.

Madley, B. (2016). An American genocide: The United States and the California Indian catastrophe, 1846–1873. Yale University Press.
— The most authoritative modern study documenting state-sponsored violence, militia funding, and population collapse.

Heizer, R. F., & Almquist, A. J. (1971). The other Californians: Prejudice and discrimination under Spain, Mexico, and the United States to 1920. University of California Press.
— Details forced labor systems, violence, and settler colonial policies.

Rawls, J. J. (1984). Indians of California: The changing image. University of Oklahoma Press.
— Covers early Gold Rush impacts, demographic collapse, and shifting public narratives.

California State Library. (n.d.). California Indian genocide and survival.
— Archival documentation of militia payments, massacres, and legislative policies.

Population Decline & State-Sponsored Violence

Cook, S. F. (1976). The population of the California Indians, 1769–1970. University of California Press.
— Primary demographic source for population estimates and collapse.

Madley, B. (2014). Patterns of frontier genocide 1803–1910: The Aboriginal Tasmanians, the Yuki of California, and the Herero of Namibia. Journal of Genocide Research, 16(2–3), 167–192.
— Places California within a global genocide framework.

Sutter, Forced Labor, and Early Exploitation

Hurtado, A. L. (1988). Indian survival on the California frontier. Yale University Press.
— Documents Sutter’s use of Indigenous labor, coercion, and punishment.

Sutter, J. A. (1855). Personal reminiscences of Johann Augustus Sutter.
— Primary source describing his labor system and early settlement practices.

Specific Tribal Impacts (Nisenan / Maidu)

Beals, R. L., & Hester, T. R. (1974). The prehistory of California. University of California Press.
— Background on tribal territories and pre-contact lifeways.

California Department of Parks and Recreation. (n.d.). Nisenan (Southern Maidu) history and culture.
— Modern tribal and regional documentation of Gold Rush impacts.

Surrender of the Poplar Camp Sioux (1881)

Utley, R. M. (2003). Frontiersmen in blue: The United States Army and the Indian, 1848–1865. University of Nebraska Press.
— Context for military campaigns, forced surrenders, and disarmament.

U.S. War Department. (1881). Annual report of the Secretary of War.
— Primary government record of engagements and captures.

Maria Tallchief & Native American Ballet

Tallchief, M. (1997). Maria Tallchief: America’s prima ballerina. Henry Holt & Company.
— Autobiography; essential source for name change refusal, identity, and career.

Kirstein, L., & Balanchine, G. (1953). The classic ballet: Basic technique and terminology. Knopf.
— Context for Balanchine’s American style and Tallchief’s role in it.

American Ballet Theatre. (n.d.). Maria Tallchief biography.
— Career milestones, Firebird, and Nutcracker documentation.

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. (n.d.). Maria Tallchief (Osage).
— Indigenous-centered biography and cultural significance.

The “Five Moons”

Tracy, L. (2007). Chasing the five moons: The lives of five Native American ballerinas. University of Oklahoma Press.
— Definitive study of Tallchief, Chouteau, Hightower, Larkin, and Marjorie Tallchief.

Indigenous Observances & Modern Recognition

Biden, J. R. (2021). A proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The White House.
— Formal federal recognition.

U.S. Congress. (2009). Native American Heritage Day Act.
— Establishes Heritage Day after Thanksgiving.

California Governor’s Office. (2019). Governor Gavin Newsom issues apology for the state’s role in the genocide of California Native Americans.
— Official state apology reference.

Global & Contemporary Indigenous Issues (Resource Links)

United Nations News. (n.d.). Indigenous peoples.
— Global rights and governance issues.

World Bank. (n.d.). Indigenous peoples overview.
— Development, poverty, and biodiversity.

The Conversation. (n.d.). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
— Research-based policy and equity analysis.

The Indigenous Foundation. (n.d.). Articles on Indigenous worldviews and systems.