Ruth Muskrat Bronson (October 3, 1897 – June 12, 1982) was a Cherokee Nation poet, educator and Indian rights activist.

She served as executive secretary for the National Congress of American Indians, which was founded in 1944, and created their legislative news service.

Upon her retirement from the government, she received the Oveta Culp Hobby Service Award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

[6] Financial hardship forced her to stop classes, and she taught for two years to earn sufficient funds to continue her schooling.

[8] The following year, Muskrat delivered an appeal to the United States President Coolidge for better educational facilities for Native Americans.

[8][12] After graduation, Muskrat began working at the Haskell Institute as an eighth grade teacher,[13][6] and then as head of the college placement bureau.

Ruth Muskrat would constantly remind her students to have pride in their heritage with her phrase "Indians are people too, don't forget that."

[16] In 1931, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) created a new program to improve educational opportunities for Native Americans.

Bronson was appointed as the first Guidance and Placement Officer of the bureau and tasked with helping graduates find viable employment.

[23] In 1945, Bronson began working with the recently established National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and soon emerged as a leader.

[31] In 1978, Bronson was among recipients of the National Indian Child Conference's merit award for commitment to improving children's quality of life.

[32] Bronson also revolutionized gender norms in the Cherokee Nation, as she followed the ways of male leaders by dressing in what looked good to her and what would get her into places that she wanted to go.