John B. Herrington, the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to travel to space, spoke to students and community members Wednesday at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Event Center in Fort Hall.
Herrington, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor to the International Space Station in November 2002. During the mission, which lasted 13 days and 18 hours, he completed three spacewalks totaling approximately 20 hours to help assemble the station’s first truss on the left side.
From Childhood Dreams to Space Exploration
The astronaut’s journey began long before his time with NASA. Herrington graduated from Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1984 and later joined the Astronaut Corps in April 1996.
Reflecting on his childhood aspirations, Herrington recalled dreaming of space travel from a young age. While he did not achieve his initial goal of traveling to the moon, he said he felt fortunate to have accomplished something he imagined as a child.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Wednesday’s event gave Shoshone-Bannock tribal students a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who achieved a historic milestone in space exploration.
Thirteen-year-old Chloe Thomas said the presentation inspired her by demonstrating that Native Americans can reach the highest levels in their careers. She noted she had not seen many examples of such achievement previously.
Another student, 13-year-old Taetyn Taggart, said the experience made her consider becoming an astronaut herself to show that anyone, especially Native Americans, can accomplish their goals.
Advice for Young Dreamers
Herrington encouraged students to believe in themselves and seek out people already working in fields that interest them. He emphasized the value of connecting with individuals from similar backgrounds who have succeeded in their chosen professions.
Whether students aspire to become astronauts, attorneys, engineers or pursue other careers, Herrington advised them to find mentors they can relate to and learn from those who have already walked similar paths.
What Comes Next
The astronaut’s visit to Fort Hall represents part of ongoing efforts to connect accomplished Native American professionals with tribal youth. Such events aim to provide role models and demonstrate the possibilities available to students from reservation communities. Herrington’s historic achievement as the first enrolled tribal citizen in space continues to serve as a powerful example for Indigenous young people across the country pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.