Deloria

Deloria is a surname of Native American origin, most prominently associated with a family of Yankton Sioux heritage whose members have contributed to anthropology, history, and Indigenous studies. The name appears in the work of scholars who studied Plains cultures, Native religion, and U.S. policy toward Native peoples, as well as in broader discussions of Indigenous identity.

Ella Cara Deloria, commonly known as Ella Deloria, was a Yankton Sioux anthropologist and linguist whose fieldwork among Plains tribes produced influential ethnographic texts, including Dakota Texts. Her research and writings helped document Lakota and Dakota social life, language, and culture at a time when Indigenous voices were underrepresented in academia.

Vine Deloria Jr. was a prominent Native American author, theologian, and historian. His writings helped articulate Indigenous perspectives on religion, sovereignty, and government policy, and he played a significant role in shaping modern Native American thought. One of his best-known works is Custer Died for Your Sins, along with other critical analyses of law, religion, and politics.

Philip J. Deloria is an American historian and professor who has explored Native American identity and culture in American life. His book Playing Indian examines the strategies by which non-Native Americans have engaged with Indigenous identities in popular culture and politics; he is the son of Vine Deloria Jr.

Together, the Deloria surname is associated with influential scholarship on Native American history, culture, and rights, reflecting a legacy of academic and public engagement.