Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Ben Campbell's life.
Ben was born
· Ignacio, Colorado, United States
Athletic Achievement
Campbell was a three-time United States National Judo Champion who won the gold medal at the 1963 Pan American Games. He became the first Native American on the United States Olympic judo team when he captained the squad at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, demonstrating excellence in a discipline he had studied intensively during his time in Japan.
Athletic Achievement
Campbell was a three-time United States National Judo Champion who won the gold medal at the 1963 Pan American Games. He became the first Native American on the United States Olympic judo team when he captained the squad at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, demonstrating excellence in a discipline he had studied intensively during his time in Japan.
Career Achievement
Using techniques learned from sword makers in Japan and other non-traditional methods, Campbell won over 200 national and international awards for jewelry design. His distinctive work as a master jeweler represented a unique artistic expression of his Northern Cheyenne heritage and became a respected body of work in the Native American art world.
Career Achievement
Using techniques learned from sword makers in Japan and other non-traditional methods, Campbell won over 200 national and international awards for jewelry design. His distinctive work as a master jeweler represented a unique artistic expression of his Northern Cheyenne heritage and became a respected body of work in the Native American art world.
Political Achievement
In 1986, Campbell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado, defeating incumbent Michael L. Strang. He was reelected twice and used his platform to champion Native American causes, including authoring the bill that established the National Museum of the American Indian (HR 2668, which became PL 101-185 in 1989).
Political Achievement
In 1986, Campbell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado, defeating incumbent Michael L. Strang. He was reelected twice and used his platform to champion Native American causes, including authoring the bill that established the National Museum of the American Indian (HR 2668, which became PL 101-185 in 1989).
Legislative Achievement
In 1989, Campbell authored bill HR 2668 to establish the National Museum of the American Indian, which became Public Law 101-185. The museum, which opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2004, stands as one of his most enduring legislative achievements and a permanent monument to the rich cultural heritage of Native American peoples.
Legislative Achievement
In 1989, Campbell authored bill HR 2668 to establish the National Museum of the American Indian, which became Public Law 101-185. The museum, which opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2004, stands as one of his most enduring legislative achievements and a permanent monument to the rich cultural heritage of Native American peoples.
Historic Achievement
In 1992, Campbell made history as the first Native American to serve in the United States Senate in more than 60 years. As a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, his election to the Senate was a landmark moment for Native American political representation and gave indigenous peoples a powerful voice in the highest legislative body in the nation.
Historic Achievement
In 1992, Campbell made history as the first Native American to serve in the United States Senate in more than 60 years. As a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, his election to the Senate was a landmark moment for Native American political representation and gave indigenous peoples a powerful voice in the highest legislative body in the nation.
Political Achievement
Campbell became the first Native American ever to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, using the position to advocate for tribal sovereignty, Native American healthcare, and indigenous land rights. He courageously introduced legislation to establish the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, honoring the victims of one of the most tragic episodes in Native American history.
Political Achievement
Campbell became the first Native American ever to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, using the position to advocate for tribal sovereignty, Native American healthcare, and indigenous land rights. He courageously introduced legislation to establish the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, honoring the victims of one of the most tragic episodes in Native American history.
Ben Campbell passed away
