Specialist Moses Brave Heart, a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 235th Military Police Company, recently received a religious accommodation to grow his hair long in honor of his Oglala Sioux heritage.
This decision marks an important step in recognizing and respecting the cultural practices of Native American service members within the U.S. military.
Raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Brave Heart was deeply rooted in Lakota traditions, where lang symbolizes strength, spiritual connection and cultural identity.
Traditionally, hair is only cut during periods of mourning, with the cut hair being buried or burned as part of the grieving process.
“Our hair is an extension of our mind. We don’t let anyone touch it, and it is only cut off in times of great loss, as part of the grieving process. We burn or bury it to give it back to Mother Earth,” Brave Heart shared Indigenous news online.
In 2020, when Brave Heart enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard, he made the difficult decision to cut his hair, believing it was a necessary sacrifice to pursue a career in law enforcement and the military.
During a 2022-2023 broadcast, Brave Heart heard about the possibility of getting a religious accommodation for his hair. With the support of Captain Nathan Johnson of the North Dakota National Guard’s 131st Military Police Battalion, the application process began in October 2022.
“I saw that other Native soldiers had been given similar accommodations, so I looked into it. It wasn’t easy; there was some resistance from those who saw short hair as a sign of discipline,” Brave Heart said. “But I also received support. I knew this could pave the way for other Native soldiers who want to honor their culture.”
In May 2023, the Defense Department approved his request, allowing him to regrow his hair. This accommodation allows Brave Heart to adhere to Army feminine grooming standards regarding hair length and style.
In addition, he is authorized to wear traditional Sioux head adornments, such as an eagle feather, during official army portraits.
Brave Heart’s journey has not been without challenges. He has received mixed reactions from fellow service members, some of whom hold traditional views that equate short hair with discipline.
“I got some strange looks at first,” Brave Heart said. “People came up to me and said, ‘I had no idea what long hair meant in Native culture, that’s amazing.’ That support was encouraging. It was a big part of why I wanted to do this, not just for myself, but to educate and make people aware that Indigenous culture is alive and important.
Despite this setback, he remains steadfast in his commitment to his cultural identity and views these interactions as opportunities to educate others about Lakota traditions.
In addition to personal expression, Brave Heart aims to serve as a role model for Native American youth, demonstrating that it is possible to honor one’s cultural heritage while pursuing a successful military career.
“A lot of young people on the rez are told they have to leave to succeed,” Brave Heart said. “But I want to be a role model for them, to show them that you can be proud of your heritage and serve. If they see me do it, maybe they will believe they can do that too.”
He hopes his experience will inspire others to embrace their identities and consider service without feeling forced to abandon their cultural practices.
Inspired by legendary native rights activists Dennis Banks and Russell Means of the Oglala Sioux tribe, as well as Leonard Peltier of North Dakota, Brave Heart sees its path as a continuation of their legacy.
Brave Heart’s story has received widespread attention after going viral on TikTok, where users praised his dedication to maintaining his cultural identity while serving his country. This exposure has even sparked conversations about the importance of cultural adjustments within the military.
“I woke up to my phone blowing up and people sending me screenshots,” Brave Heart said. “It was incredible to see so many people supporting this.”
The surname “Brave Heart” has an important meaning. He originally went by the last name “Little”, but he chose to change it in honor of his grandmother, Betty Brave Heart, who played a crucial role in his upbringing.
“I took my grandmother’s last name to honor her. She helped raise me, and it means a lot to carry her name,” Brave Heart said.
The story of Brave Heart is part of a broader movement within the U.S. military to accommodate the religious and cultural practices of its diverse service members.
In recent years, other Native American service members have received similar accommodations. For example, in 2022, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Connor Crawn was cleared to wear his hair in a long braid, reflecting his Kanien’keha (Mohawk) heritage.
His journey is a powerful reminder that heritage and service can coexist, and illustrates how dedication to one’s culture can inspire and uplift others within the military.
“I hope what I have done shows others that it is possible to embrace who you are, wherever you are,” Brave Heart said. “We are still here and our culture is strong. If this can give hope to even one young Indigenous child, then I know I’m on the right track.”
About the author: “Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation and a shareholder in Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho newspaper -Chunk Nation, Hocak Worak She originally attended nursing school, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.
Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
