November 2015: National American Indian Heritage Month

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

November 2015: National American Indian Heritage Month November 2015: National American Indian Heritage Month After nearly a century of advocacy, National American Indian Heritage Month was fi rst recognized through joint resolution by Congress in 1990. Now recognized annually, November is a time to recognize the native peoples of America who have been an integral part of the American character and to learn more about their history, achievements, and heritage history. This year, we chose to highlight the lives of American Indian Code Talkers that played a vital role in the success of the U.S. military campaigns during the world wars. The term Code Talker is associated with the United States soldiers during the wars that used their knowledge of Native American languages as a basis to transmit coded messages. Although the term Code Talker is strongly associated with bilingual Navajo Navajo Code Talker Statue New Mexico Veterans’ Memorial speakers specially recruited during World War II by the Marines, code talking was pioneered by Cherokee and Choctaw Indians during World War I. Joseph Oklahombi was a member of the Choctaw Indian Tribe located in the South Eastern United States (ranging from Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida). Oklahombi served as one of the original Code Talkers during World War I. As a Code Talker, Oklahombi helped decode Choctaw into English and communicate messages to those on the fi eld. Oklahombi is known for his participation in the battles in St. Etienne, France, where Oklahombi and twenty-three fellow soldiers attacked an enemy position, captured 171 prisoners and held their position for four days while under merciless attack. For his contributions during World War I, Oklahombi was awarded the Silver Star with the Victory Ribbon from the United States, and from Marshal Henri-Philippe Petain he received the Croix de Guerre, one of France’s highest honors for gallantry. Oklahombi is Oklahoma’s most decorated war hero and his medals are on display in the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City. Edmond Andrew Harjo was a member of the Seminole Indian Tribe of Oklahoma. Harjo served in the U.S. Army’s 195th Field Artillery Battalion during World War II, serving in Normandy in 1944 and the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Harjo was awarded a Silver Star for his participation in the Battle of the Bulge an, as well as a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal. Following the war, Harjo worked as a teacher and concert pianist. Harjo died on March 31, 2014 at the age of 96 and was known as the last surviving Seminole Code Talker. Chester Nez was a member of the Navajo Indian Tribe of New Mexico. Nez was the last remaining of the original 29 Navajos recruited by the Marine Corps to develop the legendary code that was used for vital communications during battle in World War II. Nez was a teenager when he was recruited in 1942 and assigned with the other Code Talkers to the Marine Corps’ 382nd Platoon at Camp Pendleton. The Navajo Code that Nez help create is the only spoken military code never to have been deciphered. In 2001, Nez was one of the fi ve living Code Talkers who received the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush. Following the war, Nez worked as a painter and re-enlisted during the Korean War. Nez died on June 4, 2014, at age 93. The heart of Locke Lord lies within our people and the many different experiences and perspectives we share. We recognize, embrace and celebrate our differences and believe we can only provide our clients with the best possible representation if we refl ect the diversity of the clients and communities we serve. Practical Wisdom, Trusted Advice. www.lockelord.com Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Hartford | Hong Kong | Houston | Istanbul | London | Los Angeles | Miami | Morristown New Orleans | New York | Orange County | Providence | Sacramento | San Francisco | Stamford | Tokyo | Washington DC | West Palm Beach © 2015 Locke Lord LLP.
Recommended publications
  • How Does This Seal Design Honor All Code Talkers and Why Is It Important to You?
    Code Talker Seal Design Competition Background: House Bill 1338 (2019) was passed and allowed the AZ Department of Transportation to design seven different veteran special license plates one plate shall contain a Native American Code Talker seal. The Code Talkers Congressional Medal has been awarded to the following tribes: Cherokee Nation Oglala Sioux Tribe Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Oneida Nation Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Osage Nation Choctaw Nation Pawnee Nation Comanche Nation Ponca Tribe Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Pueblo of Acoma Tribe Crow Nation Pueblo of Laguna Tribe Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Rosebud Sioux Tribe Chippewa Tribe Santee Sioux Nation Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Seminole Nation Tribes Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (Sioux) Ho-Chunk Nation Tribe Hopi Tribe St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Kiowa Tribe Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Tlingit Tribe Menominee Nation Tonto Apache Tribe Meskwaki Nation White Mountain Apache Tribe Muscogee (Creek) Nation Yankton Sioux Tribe Navajo Nation Based on the historical and unique contributions of these peoples, the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations is hosting a competition open to American Indian/Alaska Native students who attend a high school, college or university within the boundaries of the state of Arizona to design a seal and include a 300 word (min) essay on: How does this seal design honor all code talkers and why is it important to you? Application Criteria: ñ American Indian/Alaska Native students residing and attending a high school/college/university within
    [Show full text]
  • Code Talkers Hearing
    S. HRG. 108–693 CODE TALKERS HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS IN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY SEPTEMBER 22, 2004 WASHINGTON, DC ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 96–125 PDF WASHINGTON : 2004 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402–0001 COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, Colorado, Chairman DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Vice Chairman JOHN McCAIN, Arizona, KENT CONRAD, North Dakota PETE V. DOMENICI, New Mexico HARRY REID, Nevada CRAIG THOMAS, Wyoming DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota GORDON SMITH, Oregon MARIA CANTWELL, Washington LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska PAUL MOOREHEAD, Majority Staff Director/Chief Counsel PATRICIA M. ZELL, Minority Staff Director/Chief Counsel (II) C O N T E N T S Page Statements: Brown, John S., Chief of Military History and Commander, U.S. Army Center of Military History ............................................................................ 5 Campbell, Hon. Ben Nighthorse, U.S. Senator from Colorado, chairman, Committee on Indian Affairs ....................................................................... 1 Inhofe, Hon. James M., U.S. Senator from Oklahoma .................................. 2 Johnson, Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Americans and World War II
    Reemergence of the “Vanishing Americans” - Native Americans and World War II “War Department officials maintained that if the entire population had enlisted in the same proportion as Indians, the response would have rendered Selective Service unnecessary.” – Lt. Col. Thomas D. Morgan Overview During World War II, all Americans banded together to help defeat the Axis powers. In this lesson, students will learn about the various contributions and sacrifices made by Native Americans during and after World War II. After learning the Native American response to the attack on Pearl Harbor via a PowerPoint centered discussion, students will complete a jigsaw activity where they learn about various aspects of the Native American experience during and after the war. The lesson culminates with students creating a commemorative currency honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Native Americans during and after World War II. Grade 11 NC Essential Standards for American History II • AH2.H.3.2 - Explain how environmental, cultural and economic factors influenced the patterns of migration and settlement within the United States since the end of Reconstruction • AH2.H.3.3 - Explain the roles of various racial and ethnic groups in settlement and expansion since Reconstruction and the consequences for those groups • AH2.H.4.1 - Analyze the political issues and conflicts that impacted the United States since Reconstruction and the compromises that resulted • AH2.H.7.1 - Explain the impact of wars on American politics since Reconstruction • AH2.H.7.3 - Explain the impact of wars on American society and culture since Reconstruction • AH2.H.8.3 - Evaluate the extent to which a variety of groups and individuals have had opportunity to attain their perception of the “American Dream” since Reconstruction Materials • Cracking the Code handout, attached (p.
    [Show full text]
  • Honor the Legacy of Navajo Code Talker Kee Etsicitty and Live Courageously
    Honor the legacy of Navajo Code Talker Kee Etsicitty and live courageously Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye reads the proclamation he issued that ordered flags across the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff in honor of Navajo Code Talker Kee Etsicitty, who passed on July 21. He encouraged the audience to honor Etsicitty’s legacy by living courageously. (Photo by Rick Abasta) GALLUP, N.M.—The bells at home last October. MacDonald, Alfred Neuman and and Navajo Nation Council Sacred Heart Cathedral Church A member of the 3rd Bill Toledo were in attendance. Delegates Seth Damon, Otto tolled on the morning of July 24 Marines, 7th Division, Etsicitty The honor guards from the Tso and Leonard Tsosie. to honor the life of Navajo Code saw combat in the Battles of U.S. Marine Corps and the Ira H. Talker Kee Etsicitty. Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Hayes American Legion Post 84 Faithful Catholic, honorable His body was transported Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima. from Sacaton, Ariz. were also on American to the church for the memorial hand to honor Etsicitty. According to Etsicitty’s son, services and escorted by the Paying respect to a hero A number of dignitaries Kurtis, his father was a devout members of the Navajo-Hopi Before he was laid to rest, came out to pay their respects, Catholic and said he wanted Honor Riders, the non-profit Etsicitty’s brothers came out including Navajo Nation his funeral services to be held organization that volunteered to honor him. Navajo Code President Russell Begaye, at Cathedral Church. His wish to repair the roof of Etsicitty’s Talkers Thomas H.
    [Show full text]
  • From Scouts to Soldiers: the Evolution of Indian Roles in the U.S
    Georgia Southern University Digital Commons@Georgia Southern Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of Summer 2013 From Scouts to Soldiers: The Evolution of Indian Roles in the U.S. Military, 1860-1945 James C. Walker Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd Part of the Indigenous Studies Commons, and the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Walker, James C., "From Scouts to Soldiers: The Evolution of Indian Roles in the U.S. Military, 1860-1945" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 860. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/860 This thesis (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FROM SCOUTS TO SOLDIERS: THE EVOLUTION OF INDIAN ROLES IN THE U.S. MILITARY, 1860-1945 by JAMES C. WALKER ABSTRACT The eighty-six years from 1860-1945 was a momentous one in American Indian history. During this period, the United States fully settled the western portion of the continent. As time went on, the United States ceased its wars against Indian tribes and began to deal with them as potential parts of American society. Within the military, this can be seen in the gradual change in Indian roles from mostly ad hoc forces of scouts and home guards to regular soldiers whose recruitment was as much a part of the United States’ war plans as that of any other group.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gullah Language
    The Gullah Language The Gullah language is what linguists call an English-based creole language. Creoles arise in the context of trade, colonialism, and slavery when people of diverse backgrounds are thrown together and must forge a common means of communication. According to one view, creole languages are essentially hybrids that blend linguistic influences from a variety of different sources. In the case of Gullah, the vocabulary is largely from the English "target language," the speech of the socially and economically dominant group; but the African "substrate languages" have altered the pronunciation of almost all the English words, influenced the grammar and sentence structure, and provided a sizable minority of the vocabulary. Many early scholars made the mistake of viewing the Gullah language as "broken English," because they failed to recognize the strong underlying influence of African languages. But linguists today view Gullah, and other creoles, as full and complete Sea Island Gullahs, about 1930. languages with their own systematic grammatical structures. Source: http://www.yale.edu/glc/gullah/06.htm 4/21/2014 Native Words Native Warriors The Code Talkers’ role in war required intelligence and brav ery . They dev eloped and memorized a special code. They endured some of the most dangerous battles and remained calm under fire. They serv ed proudly , with honor and distinction. Their actions prov ed critical in sev eral important campaigns, and they are credited with sav ing thousands of American and allies’ liv es. Nav ajo Code Talkers Corporal For thousands of y ears, American Indian men hav e Henry Bake, Jr., (lef t) and Priv ate protected their communities and lands.
    [Show full text]
  • Real American Heroes Native
    Real NativeAmerican Heroes Code Talkers ©2004 by Ho Anumpoli! 1700 A Coal Avenue SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 These materials may be reproduced for educational purposes only. No such reproductions may be sold except with the permission of Ho Anumpoli! and proceeds going to Ho Anumpoli! Ho Anumpoli! is a New Mexico nonprofit educational publisher. Written by Holabitubbe The Killer of Lies Illustrated by Beakakshush Little Hawk Code Talkers The Code Talkers used their own languages to help the US. Some were soldiers in the Army. Some were Marines. Each of them was a real Native American hero. The story of the Code Talkers begins with WWI. WWI (1914-1918) WWI or World War I is also known as the Great War. This war took place in Europe. It began with an assassination of royalty. But there were already many problems. These problems were the real cause of the war. The French and the Germans were very unhappy. They felt that their countries should have more land. Fighting over land is often the cause of wars. Also, European countries were fighting over land in China and Af- rica. This land already belonged to the Chinese and Africans. But the Eu- ropean countries didn’t care. The United States entered this war on April 6, 1917. Germany was using submarines to sink all ships in the Atlantic Ocean. So the US joined the side of Great Britain and France. The US sent troops to Europe. They also fought in the Middle East. Finally, Germany gave up. They surrendered. It was a terrible war.
    [Show full text]
  • Board Books / Early Childhood
    Selected Bibliography for American Indian Studies Earth Partnership: Indigenous Arts & Sciences University of Wisconsin-Madison (compiled by Beverly Slapin and Rachel Byington, December 2018) Board Books / Early Childhood Adair, Jason (Ojibwe): *Ojibway Animals. Native Northwest, 2011 (board books, natural world, interconnectedness) *We All Count: Book of Ojibway Art. Native Northwest, 2013 (board books, natural world, interconnectedness) Auger, Neepin (Cree): *Discovering Numbers: English, French, Cree. Rocky Mountain, 2015 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness) *Discovering Words: English, French, Cree. Rocky Mountain, 2015 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness) Blacksheep, Beverly (Navajo), Salina Bookshelf: *Baby Learns to Count. 2003 (board book, family and community) *Baby Learns About Animals. 2003 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness, family and community) *Baby Learns About Seasons. 2005 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness, family and community) *Baby Learns About Senses. 2005 (board book, family and community) *Baby Learns About Time. 2005 (board book, family and community) *Baby Learns About Weather. 2005 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness, family and community) Flett, Julie (Cree): *Black Bear, Red Fox: Colours in Cree. Native Explore, 2017 (board book, 1 natural world, interconnectedness) *We All Count: A Book of Cree Numbers. Native Northwest, 2014 (board book, natural world, interconnectedness, family and community) *Fond du Lac Head Start (Ojibwe), The Story of Manoomin. 2013 (board book, natural world, traditional harvesting, intergenerational learning, interconnectedness, photography, food) *Himango, Deanna (Ojibwe): Boozhoo: Come Play With Us. Fond du Lac Head Start, 2002 (board book, family and community, photography) *Jaakola, Liz (Ojibwe), and Karen Savage Blue (Ojibwe), Our Journey. Fond du Lac Head Start, 2004 (board book, traditional knowledge, natural world, interconnectedness, family and community) *Kalluk, Celina (Inuk), Sweetest Kulu.
    [Show full text]
  • Multiculturalism in the Armed Forces in the 20 Century
    Multiculturalism in the Armed Forces in the 20th Century Cover: The nine images on the cover, from left to right and top to bottom, are: Japanese-American WACs on their way to Japan on a post-war cultural mission. (U.S. Army photo) African-American aviators in flight suits, Tuskegee Army Air Field, World War II. (Visual Materials from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Records; from the Library of Congress, Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-35362) During the visit of Lieutenant General Robert Gray, the Deputy Commander, USAREUR, Private First Class Donya Irby from the 44th Signal Company, out of Mannheim, Germany, describes how the 173 Van gathers, reads, and transmits signals to its destination as part of Operation Joint Endeavor. (Photo by Sergeant Angel Clemons, 55th Signal Company (comcam), Fort Meade, Maryland 20755. Image # 282 960502-A-1972C-003) U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General Carl E. Mundy poses for a picture with members of the Air Force fire department at Mogadishu Airport, Somalia. General Mundy toured the Restore Hope Theater during the Christmas holiday. (Photo by TSgt Perry Heimer, USAF Combat Camera) President George Bush takes time to shake hands with the troops and pose for pictures after his speech, January 1993, in Somalia. (Photo by TSgt Dave Mcleod, USAF Combat Camera) For his heroic actions in the Long Khanh Province in Vietnam, March 1966, Alfred Rascon (center), a medic, received the Medal of Honor three decades later. (Photo courtesy of the Army News Service) Navajo code talkers on Bouganville. (U.S. Marine Corps archive photo) On December 19, 1993, General John M.
    [Show full text]
  • Choctaw Code Talkers of WWI and WWII
    They Served They Sacrificed Telephone Warriors Choctaw Code Talkers Soldiers who used their native language as a weapon against the enemy, making a marked difference in the outcome of World War I Telephone Warriors - beginning the weapon of words Among the Choctaw warriors of WWI were fifteen members of the 142nd Infantry Regiment, a member of the 143rd and two members of the 141st Infantry Regiment who are now heralded as “WWI Choctaw Code Talkers.” All Regiments were part of the 36th Division. The Code Talkers from the 142nd were: Solomon Bond Lewis; Mitchell Bobb; Robert Taylor; Calvin Wilson; Pete Maytubby; James M. Edwards; Jeff Nelson; Tobias William Frazier; Benjamin W. Hampton; Albert Billy; Walter Veach; Joseph Davenport; George Davenport; Noel Johnson; and Ben Colbert. The member of the 143rd was Victor Brown and the Choctaw Code Talkers in the 141st were Ben Carterby and Joseph Okla- hombi. Otis Leader served in the 1sr Division, 16th Infantry. All of these soldiers came together in WWI in France in October and November of 1918 to fight as a unified force against the enemy. On October 1, 1917, the 142nd was organized as regular infantry and given training at Camp Bowie near Fort Worth as part of the 36th Division. Transferred to France for action, the first unit of the division arrived in France, May 31, 1918, and the last August 12, 1918. The 36th Division moved to the western front on October 6, 1918. Although the American forces were late in entering the war that had begun in 1914, their participation provided the margin of victory as the war came to the end.
    [Show full text]
  • NEWSLETTER-JUNE-2016.Pdf
    VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 JUNE 2016 JUNE Funded & Distributed by the Ponca Tribe NEWSLETTER PONCA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008, authorized by Public Law 110-420 recogniz- es the dedication and valor of Native Ameri- can Code Talkers to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I and World War II. In the Act Sec. 3 Findings (8)The United States Army recruited approximately 50 Native Special points of interest: Americans for special native language com- SENIOR CENTER munication assignments. (10)During World War II, the United States employed Native VETERANS MEMORIAL American code talkers who developed se- SASP PROGRAM cret means of communication based on SUMMER LUNCH native languages and were critical to win- ning the war. (14)The Congress should provide to all Native American code talkers the recognition the code talkers deserve for Inside this issue: the contributions of the code talkers to United States victories in World War I and PONCA TRIBE VETERANS MEMORI- 1 World War II” In an effort to meet the re- quirement set forth in the Act a list was PONCA TRIBE CODE TALKER 2 On 5/30/2016 Family of William Terry (Big) Snake received Silver Medal that was Dedicated during provided which showed the names and trib- VETERANS MEMORIAL 3 al affiliation. VETERANS LIST OF NAMES 4-5 the Veterans Memorial 2013. (Pictured left to right) LITTLE STANDING BUFFALO POST 6 Greg Victors, Ponka-We Victors, Sandy Victors, The United State Mint under Public Law HONOR VETERANS 7 Shude Victors U.N.
    [Show full text]
  • Code of Honor Navajo Code Talker Chester Nez
    No. 2, 2012 n $5 Code of Honor Navajo code talker Chester Nez n IRISH LITERATURE n HOSPITAL VIGILS Contents | March 2012 20 32 26 20 26 32 COVER STORY Luck of the Irish In the Moment Native Speaker A toast and tribute to KU’s KU Hospital volunteers oer world-class collection of Irish comfort and nd grace in their With a newly published literature. vigils with the dying. memoir, 91-year-old Chester Nez—one of the original 29 By Chris Lazzarino By Chris Lazzarino Navajo code talkers from World War II—looks back on a remarkable life. By Steven Hill Cover painting by Brent Learned Established in 1902 as e Graduate Magazine Volume 110, No. 2, 2012 ISSUE 2, 2012 | 1 Lift the Chorus and I count them among my conuence of the Kansas and must endure to bring violators closest friends. But when they Missouri rivers, with its halves to justice. don their black and gold, and distinguished by the state in She states that many pay congregate together in their which each is located. taxes, spend money and play a stadiums and eld houses, Now, what God hath joined, large role in the economy. e when they chant their silly the Missouri AD has torn role is largely negative as many MIZ-ZOU chant, they are asunder. Aer more than a send their money to their brash, unsportsmanlike bullies century of this union, Mizzou home country and do not pay and thugs. has divorced the Big 12, taxes, medical costs or car ey feel the same way about choosing a younger and richer insurance.
    [Show full text]