Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Thunderbird, superhero Apache member of the X-Men

John Proudstar, also known as Thunderbird, is a superhero that appeared with the X-Men in the Giant-Size X-Men #1 in May 1975. As a mutant, Proudstar possesses superhuman athletic ability.  Unfortunately, he died on the second mission. After his death, his brother James became Thunderbird and later Warpath.

Proudstar was born into the Apache tribe in Camp Verde, Arizona.  When he became a teenager, he realized he possessed superhuman senses, strength, speed, stamina, and sturdiness. He was drafted into the Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War.  He returned to his tribe after the war, having changed significantly  

Professor Charles Xavier recruited him to join his third group of X-Men.  Due to his bad temper and individualism, he clashed with Cyclops.  He was killed when he refused to jump off a jet plane, pursuing Count Nefaria.  The plane exploded and Thunderbird was killed.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Forge, Cheyenne superhero

Forge, who first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men comic #184 in August 1984.  He is one of dozens of Native American superheroes and is a mutant with the superhuman talent for invention and intuitive genius.  He trained as a shaman in the Cheyenne nation, but uses his technology genius rather than his mysticism in conflicts.

He has had a romantic relationship with Storm, and even a brief affair with Mystique.  He has been a member of the X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force.  

Forge has made appearances in the animated television series, X-Men (1992); X-Men: Evolution (2000); and most recently in Wolverine and the X-Men (2009).