10/12/2026
Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Rothko Chapel honors the rich histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous communities. We reflect with gratitude on just a few of the many Indigenous leaders, artists, and advocates who have shared their voices at the Chapel, inspiring dialogue on human rights, spirituality, and cultural preservation.
🌿 1981 | Chief Tom Porter Sakokwenonkwas, of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, was honored as a recipient of the inaugural Rothko Chapel Awards for Commitment to Truth and Freedom.
🌿 1992 | John E. Echohawk (Pawnee), Executive Director and co-founder of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), was honored with the Carter-Menil Human Rights Prize.
🌿 2013 | Kevin Locke (Tokaheya Inajin, “The First to Arise”), a Lakota artist and cultural ambassador, shared his traditions and artistry at the Chapel.
🌿 2017 | Suzanne Benally presented A Navajo Perspective on Reverence for Life, sharing Indigenous perspectives on spirituality and our relationship with the world around us.
🌿 2019 | Tiokasin Ghosthorse, member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation and founder, host, and executive producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio, shared his perspectives with the Chapel community.
May we continue to listen, learn, honor Indigenous sovereignty, and create space for the stories, traditions, and perspectives that enrich our collective humanity.
