Dawn Little Sky, an actress and visual artist whose long and varied career stretched from Hollywood Westerns to the creative halls of Disney, has passed away at 95.
Her passing was confirmed by an obituary, which reported that she died on Oct. 24.
Born Eunice Elsie Little Sky on April 17, 1930, she carved out a place for herself in an industry that offered few opportunities to Native American performers during the mid-20th century.
Despite the limited roles available at the time, Little Sky became known for bringing sincerity, restraint, and grace to her characters.
Sky’s Family Remembers Her
In the obituary, Sky’s family remembered her legacy.
“Dawn lived an extraordinary life and left a positive impact on all who had the honor to interact with her. Her life was full of so many adventures and unforgettable experiences, and she was the best storyteller with the most amazing sense of humor!” her obituary read.
It continued, “Dawnâs warm presence and one of a kind smile will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her; however, the family takes comfort in knowing she is with all her loved ones who had gone on before her, especially her husband, Eddie.”
The obituary added how much she loved her family.
Dawn enjoyed watching all her grandchildren dance at powwows, and she especially loved listening to the drum groups. She was a dedicated mother, auntie, and grandma to many,” it continued. “She would support and ‘lili’ for them on the sidelines. She is affectionately referred to as, ‘Grandma Dawn’ by many people because of her loving and gentle spirit. She always gave an ‘I love ya’ and a kiss on the cheek.”
Sky Had an Impressive Career
She appeared in several classic shows and films, including “The Apple Dumpling Gang,” “Duel at Diablo,” and “Cimarron,” and other film and television projects that called upon her ability to portray strength and presence in quiet, understated ways.
Her work onscreen came during an era when Indigenous actors were rarely invited into meaningful storylines.
Little Skyâs artistic talents extended beyond performance. She also worked as an illustrator and artist for Disney, applying her creative eye to projects within the studio. She was the first Native American to color cels for animation projects.
Her contributions helped shape visual elements behind the scenes, showcasing versatility that was especially notable for the time.
Little Skyâs work bridged nearly seven decades of dramatic change in the entertainment industry, including evolving conversations about inclusion, representation and accuracy.
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