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Zitkala

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Zitkala Pronunciation

Zitkala is pronounced ZEET-kah-lah

Meaning: bird

In 30 seconds: The Lakota and Yankton Dakota word for 'bird,' made famous by Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird, 1876–1938) — Yankton Dakota writer, activist, and co-composer of the first American Indian opera.

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Origin Dakota, Sioux, Native American, Lakota

Meaningbird

History & Origin

Zitkala is the Lakota and Yankton Dakota word for 'bird'; with the suffix šá (red) it becomes Zitkala-Ša — Red Bird — the pen name of Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (February 22, 1876 – January 26, 1938). Born on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota, she was taken to a Quaker boarding school in Indiana at age eight and later published searing autobiographical accounts of that experience in the Atlantic Monthly. She studied violin at the New England Conservatory of Music, performed at the Paris Exposition of 1900, and with composer William F. Hanson wrote the libretto and songs for The Sun Dance Opera (1913) — the first American Indian opera, premiered at Orpheus Hall in Vernal, Utah, performed by Ute Nation members of the Uintah-Ouray Reservation. In 1926 she co-founded the National Council of American Indians and served as its president until her death in 1938. She is buried at Arlington National Cemetery as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin.

Did you know? Zitkala-Ša performed a violin solo with the Carlisle Indian Band at the 1900 Paris Exposition — the same year she published her first autobiographical essays in the Atlantic Monthly.

U.S. National Park Service — Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) — Official NPS biography confirming Yankton Dakota origin, boarding school experience, Atlantic Monthly essays, Sun Dance Opera, and National Council of American IndiansWikipedia — Zitkala-Ša — Confirms Lakota meaning 'Red Bird,' Sun Dance Opera premiere (Vernal, Utah, 1913), Arlington Cemetery burial, and NCAI presidencyNational Women's History Museum — Zitkála-Šá — Documents her role in women's suffrage, Indigenous voting rights, and the 1900 Paris Exposition violin performance

If you like Zitkala…

Bineshii— 'Bird' in Ojibwe — the same creature named in the Algonquian tradition, a linguistic counterpart to the Dakota zitkala

Piyêsîs— 'Little bird' in Plains Cree — a tender diminutive bird-name from the Algonquian sister tradition

Wachiwi— 'Dancing woman' in Lakota — another celebrated Lakota feminine name from the same Plains tradition

Maka— 'Earth' in Dakota — a sacred Dakota name from the same linguistic and spiritual world as Zitkala

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Zitkala?

Zitkala is pronounced ZEET-kah-lah. Press play above to hear Zitkala said aloud.

How do you say Zitkala?

Zitkala is said ZEET-kah-lah. Press play above to hear Zitkala said aloud.

What does Zitkala mean?

'Bird' in Lakota and Yankton Dakota. With the suffix šá (red) it forms Zitkala-Ša — Red Bird — the pen name of writer and activist Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (1876–1938).

Who was Zitkala-Ša?

A Yankton Dakota writer, musician, educator, and political activist (1876–1938) who co-founded the National Council of American Indians in 1926, co-composed the first American Indian opera, and published landmark autobiographical essays in the Atlantic Monthly.

Is Zitkala a boy's or girl's name?

The most famous bearer, Zitkala-Ša, was a woman, and the name is most commonly used as a feminine given name in Dakota communities today.