Who was Dawn Little Sky?

Dawn Little Sky was a pioneering Native American actress who was married to the late actor Eddie Little Sky, one of the first Native men to play Native roles on film and television.

What were some of Dawn Little Sky's acting credits?

Dawn Little Sky appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including A Man Called Horse, Little Big Man, The Magical World of Disney, Gunsmoke, and Daniel Boone, often acting alongside her husband Eddie.

How did Dawn Little Sky contribute to Native American culture?

In the late 1970s, Dawn and her husband Eddie moved to South Dakota, where she served as the director of a cultural center in Eagle Butte and taught art and culture. She was also honored with South Dakota's Indian Living Treasure Award in 2005 for her contributions to the arts and preservation of Native heritage.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering Native Actress Dawn Little Sky Leaves Lasting Legacy

Pioneering Native Actress Dawn Little Sky Leaves Lasting Legacy

18 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Husband was actor Eddie Little Sky, one of first Native men in film/TV
Acted in films like A Man Called Horse and Little Big Man
Received South Dakota's Indian Living Treasure Award in 2005

Dawn Little Sky, a renowned Native American actress, passed away on October 24th, 2025 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was 95 years old.

Dawn's husband was the late actor Eddie Little Sky, who was one of the first Native men to play Native roles on film and television. Eddie's credits included the 1970 films A Man Called Horse and Little Big Man, as well as several episodes of the classic TV series Gilligan's Island, where he spoke the Siouan language Lakota.

The couple acted together on various projects, including episodes of The Magical World of Disney, Gunsmoke, Have Gun -- Will Travel, and Daniel Boone, as well as in feature films such as Chief Crazy Horse (1955), Cimarron (1960), Duel at Diablo (1966), and Journey Through Rosebud (1972).