Supermodel of the 1960’s

Cathee Dahmen became a successful international model, a career that lasted until the late 1970’s. She was the first Native American on the cover of Vogue and had a role in the “Youthquake” movement of youth liberation through music, fashion and social rebellion.

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Producer: Deanna StandingCloudEditorial support: Emily KrumbergerMixing & mastering: Chris Harwood

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Transcript

Welcome to MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds.

Sixteen year old Cathee Dahmen gazes down at the rugged edges of the earth below. The year is 1963 and she's in the air on her way to Rhode Island from Minneapolis to live with her uncle, George Morrison. At the time, he was an internationally acclaimed Ojibwe artist. Weeks before, Cathee's baby daughter was placed in foster care. A difficult decision so that Cathee could make something of herself.

Cathee was born in Mille Lacs County, the fifth of nine children. Her father, a German farmer and her mother, a citizen of the Grand Portage Ojibwe.
Not long after Cathee's arrival to Rhode Island, she was discovered by big time fashion illustrator for the New York Times, Antonio Lopez.

Cathee became a successful international model, a career that lasted until the late 1970's. She was the first Native American on the cover of Vogue and had a role in the "Youthquake" movement of youth liberation through music, fashion and social rebellion. One of our own who left a legacy that can still be felt today.

MN90 is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online at MN90.org.