Baseball is often called America’s pastime, but the history of the game also includes the important contributions of Native American athletes. From Chiricahua Apache teams at Fort Sill to pioneers like Jim Thorpe and Louis Sockalexis, Indigenous players helped shape baseball at every level—from boarding school fields to Major League stadiums. Their stories reveal resilience, talent, and a legacy that deserves recognition as part of the broader history of the game.

Pablo Abeita of Isleta Pueblo was an influential Indigenous leader, diplomat, and advocate for Pueblo land rights in the early 20th century. Fluent in several languages and respected for his wisdom, Abeita served on the All Indian Pueblo Council and helped guide efforts that led to the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924, a landmark law that confirmed Pueblo ownership of their traditional lands.

Pablo Abeita of Isleta Pueblo was an influential Indigenous leader, diplomat, and advocate for Pueblo land rights in the early 20th century. Fluent in several languages and respected for his wisdom, Abeita served on the All Indian Pueblo Council and helped guide efforts that led to the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924, a landmark law that confirmed Pueblo ownership of their traditional lands.

Downtown Prescott recently welcomed the Road to 250 Arizona Traveling Museum and Liberty Bell Exhibit, bringing history to life through interactive displays and community engagement. The event opened with a land acknowledgment by Manuel Lucero of the Museum of Indigenous People, honoring the region’s deep Indigenous roots. As the first stop on a 15-county journey, Prescott set the tone for a statewide celebration of shared history and diverse voices.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we also remember a lesser-known chapter of his legacy — his solidarity with Native communities. In Why We Can’t Wait, King condemned the nation’s founding injustices toward Indigenous peoples, naming the genocide and racial hierarchy embedded in American history. His commitment to justice extended beyond the African-American struggle. In the late 1950s, when the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama faced discriminatory school policie