Charles Curtis was the first person of color to serve as the United States’ second in command. A citizen of the Kaw Nation, he became the nation’s vice president in 1929 under President Herbert Hoover. Lesser known is Curtis’ Potawatomi lineage.
The Biden administration’s choice of Congresswoman Deb Haaland was historic in terms of nominating an enrolled tribal citizen to a full cabinet position. If confirmed by the Senate, the Laguna Pueblo citizen would be the first Native American to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior.