On October 5th we will have a Gala celebration featuring keynote Tatanka Means. Tatanka Means is an award-winning actor and stand-up comedian from Chinle, Arizona. He represents the Navajo, Omaha, Ihanktonwan Nations and is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. His most recent work includes FX’s critically acclaimed series “Reservation Dogs” Directed by Tazbah Chavez, Marvel’s Disney+ show “Echo” directed by Sydney Freeland, and stars in the highly anticipated Martin Scorsese Western crime drama film Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons and Robert De Niro. Means is currently filming Kevin Costner’s Western epic Horizon. 

Aside from acting, Tatanka performs stand-up comedy throughout Indian Country spreading laughter and speaking to Native youth across on reservations about healthy living and sobriety wellness. He currently resides in New Mexico with his wife and children. Means is the son of Gloria Grant and American Indian activist & actor, Russell Means.  

The 2023 Charity Gala will help raise much needed funds to support our ability to expand our services to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and other underserved individuals in Southeastern Michigan. Today, 7 out of every 10 American Indians live in urban areas, yet remain an invisible and significantly underserved population who share similar disparities of other communities of color. We serve over 2,000 Urban Indians, enrolled tribal members from over 60 different tribes, and other underserved individuals each year. We aim to serve all of the 50,000 Urban Native Americans and other underserved individuals who reside in Detroit and southeast Michigan. We provide services to all people in need, regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, gender, race, religion, age, or sexual orientation.

A silent auction will take place at the event, which will be held at The Garden Theater in Detroit. More information about the event tickets and sponsors will be available on our agency website in the coming weeks. We are currently looking for event sponsors and silent auction item donations, and event tickets will be sold beginning in August.

Hour Detroit is the Official Media Sponsor for the event. Hour Detroit is a monthly city magazine covering the Metro Detroit area.