Opinion. Many flags were on display during the federal government’s “Road to Healing Tour” for Indian boarding school survivors. Native American honor guards proudly presented the United States flag, eagle bars and tribal flags at most tour stops.
These symbols were placed respectfully near the table where Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community) listened to testimonies from survivors or descendants of those who attended boarding schools over the past century.
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Some may find a bit of irony in the fact that Native honor guards show such reverence for the flag of the United States, since it was under this very flag that the federal government carried out a systematic program to destroy Native culture in the name of assimilation. This program, devised by an army officer, used military-like tactics.
Yet Native Americans show a deep respect for the military service of their relatives. At each powwow, the grand entries begin with thunderous drum sounds, prompting Native American veterans to carry eagle bars and flags, including the American flag.
The reverence Native Americans have for the American flag and their veterans cannot be ignored.
According to Alicia Madalena Sylvester (Jemez Pueblo), the senior tribal advisor and liaison for Native American affairs, American Indian and Alaska Native men and women serve in the armed forces.
Since September 11, 2001, about one-fifth of Native Americans – men and women – have served in the armed forces, compared to an average of 14% for all other racial/ethnic groups.
In issuing a Native American Heritage Month proclamation for November, President Joe Biden referenced the service of Native Americans in the armed forces.
The president wrote: “Despite centuries of violence and oppression, indigenous peoples remain resilient and proud. Today, Native Americans are essential to the fabric of the United States. They serve in the United States Armed Forces in higher numbers than any other ethnic group.
“They continue to administer so many of our great countries. Their contributions to science, the humanities, the arts, public service and more have brought prosperity to us all. Their diverse cultures and communities continue to thrive and lead us forward.”
Remarkably, even before American Indians became citizens of the United States in 1924, some 12,500 American Indians served in the armed forces during World War I (July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918). They fought for freedom when they weren’t even citizens of this country. Nearly two-thirds of American Indians who served did so in the infantry, where they received high praise for their bravery and achievements. Nearly 5% of Native American combat soldiers were killed, compared to 1% of U.S. forces overall.
During World War I, approximately 400 students attending Haskell Indian Boarding School fought in the armed forces. The Indian Leader, Haskell’s weekly newspaper, regularly reported on the involvement of Haskell students in the war.
Three decades later, during World War II, Native Americans again answered the call to duty. Using native languages banned in Indian boarding schools, Indians used traditional language to confuse and ward off the enemies. Navajo code talkers became legendary because their code was never broken. The Navajo code talker program has been cited as a major reason why the United States won the War in the Pacific campaign.
Other tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Lakota, Meskwaki, and Comanche tribes participated in translating coded messages into their native languages on the front lines.
Fortunately, indigenous languages persist despite the physical punishment that indigenous children in Indian boarding schools received when they were caught speaking their tribal languages.
During World War II, before Alaska was a state, more than 6,300 Alaskans volunteered to serve in what was known as the Alaska Territorial Guard. They came together to defend the United States from attacks along its 6,000 miles of coastline.
I am sometimes asked why Native Americans serve in the armed forces when the federal government throughout history has not treated our people kindly. I answered them with the explanation that a native elder told me: in defense of the land.
We know that our people have been here since time immemorial. We appreciate the service of our ancestors who protected this land, and of the Native Americans who continue to fight for our community and our freedom.
Thayék gde nwéndëmen – We are all related.
About the Author: “Levi \”Calm Before the Storm\” Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded the Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print category\/ online by the Native American Journalists Association. He is a member of the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net.
Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
