John Herrington

“When I was out on the spacewalk, I was just in awe of the planet.”

“I am a Chickasaw, and I am proud of my heritage.”

“Science and math are the building blocks for anything you want to do.”

“It's easier to be an astronaut than it is to be a Native American. To be a Native American, you have to be born a Native American. To be an astronaut, you just have to want to be one.”

“I hope that my flight is a catalyst for Native American youth to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.”

“The view is just absolutely spectacular. It’s hard to put into words what you see.”

“I carry a flute with me, a gift from one of the elders from the Cheyenne-Arapaho nation. I also carry a feather from a hawk.”

“For me, it was a culmination of a lifelong dream to fly in space.”

“My advice to Native American kids is to believe in themselves and to have a goal and a dream.”

“Education is the key. You have to have a dream, you have to have a goal, but you have to have the tools to be able to get there.”