Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering Native Actress and Disney Artist Dawn Little Sky Dies at 95
Pioneering Native Actress and Disney Artist Dawn Little Sky Dies at 95
18 Nov
Summary
- Dawn Little Sky, acclaimed actress and Disney's first Native artist, passed away on October 24, 2025
- Worked alongside husband Eddie Little Sky, one of the first Indigenous actors in TV and film
- Brought Indigenous creativity to Disney animation as the company's first Native artist
Dawn Little Sky, a renowned Native American actress and groundbreaking Disney artist, passed away on October 24, 2025, at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was 95 years old.
Little Sky had a prolific career, often acting alongside her husband, Eddie Little Sky, one of the first Indigenous Americans to play Native roles in television and film. The couple appeared in numerous productions, including "Gunsmoke," "Have Gun -- Will Travel," "Chief Crazy Horse," and "Cimarron."
In addition to her acting work, Dawn Little Sky made history as the first Native artist hired by Walt Disney Studios to color animation cells. Her meticulous work behind the scenes helped bring Indigenous creativity and perspectives to one of the most influential artistic spaces in the country. As the Native Sun News Today wrote, "Her work mattered because she was there, and because she brought her perspective to a medium that shapes how children see the world."
After retiring from the entertainment industry, Dawn and Eddie Little Sky moved back to South Dakota in the late 1970s. Dawn began teaching art at the Little Wound School, where she enjoyed watching her grandchildren dance at powwows and listening to the drum groups. She is remembered for her loving and gentle spirit, always giving an "I love ya" and a kiss on the cheek.
