American Indian Stories

Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (1876—1938), better known by her pen name, Zitkala-Sa (Dakota: pronounced zitkala-sa, which translates to "Red Bird"), was a Yankton Dakota writer, editor, musician, teacher and political activist. She published in national magazines. With William F. Hanson, Bonnin co-composed the first American Indian opera, The Sun Dance (composed in romantic style based on Ute and Sioux themes), which premiered in 1913. She founded the National Council of American Indians in 1926, which she served as president until her death.