Notable Native Americans: John Herrington

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage. As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog will feature a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities.

This week's notable individual is John Herrington

John Herrington is an astronaut, of the Chickasaw Nation. Herrington is the first Native American to walk in space when launched November 23, 2002 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Serving as the flight engineer for launch and landing, Herrington vowed to carry the Chickasaw Nation flag with him into space. Members of his tribe watched the historic launch, and Herrington honored his Native American heritage by carrying six eagle feathers, a braid of sweet grass, two arrowheads, and his nation's flag.