Academic, Activist, and Native Forward Scholars Fund Alumna, Dr. Henrietta Mann (Cheyenne—Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma) was presented with the 2021 National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden in a White House ceremony on March 21.

According to the White House, the National Humanities Medal is one of the nation’s highest honors. Dr. Mann was among 23 other academics, artists, and advocates honored for their outstanding contributions to the excellence, support, and availability of the arts in the U.S. The National Humanities Medal honors those whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities.

At the ceremony, Biden spoke of Dr. Mann’s dedication to Native American education and to establishing the field of Native American studies. “Thanks in large part to her, Native American studies is now taught in universities across the country, strengthening our nation-to-nation bonds for generations to come,” Biden said of Dr. Mann. 

In 1982, Dr. Mann received a scholarship and support services from Native Forward for her doctoral degree at the University of New Mexico. Watch Dr. Mann’s medal presentation below.