Standing Together: National American Indian Heritage Month

1. November 2017

2. National American Indian Heritage Month November is National American Indian Heritage Month, honoring American Indians and Alaska Natives. This year, the Society of American Indian Government Employees has selected “Standing Together” as the 2017 theme. This presentation reviews the historical milestones that led to the establishment of National American Indian Heritage Month. It also describes various aspects of American Indian and Alaska Native life, including federally recognized tribes, national sovereignty and population. Finally, it honors—Master Sergeant Charles N. Shay, Private First Class Wesley Eagle, Alaska Tlingit Code Talkers, and Airman Misty Warren.

3. Observance History At the turn of the century, efforts began to implement a day of recognition for Native Americans’ contributions to America. Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian was one of the early champions of an American Indian Day. In the early 1900s, he persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day to honor the first Americans. Photo: Arthur C. Parker in 1918. From The Life of General Ely S. Parker, Buffalo Historical Society, 1919, p. 201) https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_002412.pdf http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/

4. Observance History In1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode on horseback from state to state, seeking support for a day to honor American Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments to the White House. Despite his efforts, there is no record of a national day being proclaimed. Also in 1915, the Congress of the American Indian Association approved a formal plan to celebrate American Indian Day. Reverend Sherman Coolidge, an Arapaho tribal member, asked the country to formally set aside a day of recognition. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/

5. Observance History In1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, but took no action to establish a National American Indian Day. In 1990, a joint resolution was approved designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Since 1994, similar proclamations have been issued, under variants on the name to include “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/ https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_002412.pdf

6. Federally recognized tribes Currently, there are 567 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and more than 100 state-recognized tribes across the United States. Each have their own distinctive history, beliefs, governance structure and culture. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federally recognized tribes “are acknowledged to have the immunities and privileges available to federally recognized Indian Tribes by virtue of their government-to-government relationship with the United States as well as the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations of such Tribes.” To see the Federal Register of Indian tribes go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/17/2017-00912/indian-entities-recognized-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of-indian

7. Sovereignty Sovereignty is the right of a nation or group of people to be self-governing and is the most fundamental concept that defines the relationship between the government of the United States and governments of American Indian tribes. American Indians and Alaska Natives are U.S. citizens and citizens of their tribes. They are subject to federal laws, but they are not always subject to state laws. http://www.ncai.org/attachments/PolicyPaper_VmQazPEqbvZDMeaDvbupWTSZLmzyzBKOknQRXnUyoVMoyFkEWGH_Tribal%20Nations%20and%20the%20United%20States_An%20Introduction.pdf

8. Population The U.S. Census reports the Nation’s population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race, was 6.6 million in 2015, making up about two percent of the total population. The projected American Indian and Alaska Native population, alone or in combination, on July 1, 2060 will be 10.2 million, constituting 2.4 percent of the total population. Photo Credit: Sgt. Nina J. Ramon https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/facts-for-features/2016/cb26-ff22_aian.pdf

9. Master Sergeant Charles Norman Shay On June 7, 2017 the Department of Defense published an article regarding 175 American Indians who landed on Omaha Beach. They were honored with a granite, turtle-shaped monument in Saint Laurent sur Mer, France, on the 73rd anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. • The memorial was dedicated to • retired Master Sgt. Charles N. Shay, • a tribal Elder of the Penobscot • tribe—one of four brothers who • served during World War II—and • one of the few surviving American • Indian WWII combat veterans. https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1206210/ Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Alexis C. Schultz

10. Master Sergeant Charles Norman Shay In a 2017 interview, Shay stated he believed he is one of only two Native American combat medics to survive the war without being injured. “We were lucky. Call it what you want, fate, destiny, angels, spirits or God. All I know is that my mother prayed for me.” Shay’s three brothers served in World War II as well—two in the U.S. Navy and one in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 gunner. He went on to say, “There were mothers across Turtle Island (North America) praying for their brave sons. My heart breaks for those women who were never able to welcome their sons home again.” https://www.army.mil/article/188948

11. Master Sergeant Charles Norman Shay Serving in Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment (the Big Red One) Shay, a medic, landed on Omaha Beach. After he struggled ashore, he immediately began caring for wounded Soldiers. He saw drowning men frantically trying to reach the sand loaded down with equipment. He ran into the water under heavy fire and began dragging his fellow Soldiers to safety. His heroic actions earned him the Silver Star. He returned to combat as a medic in Korea, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf clusters for valor. He retired from the Air Force in 1954 as a Master Sergeant. https://www.army.mil/article/188948 https://www.army.mil/article/30405/national-american-indian-heritage-month-brings-history-tradition-to-fort-sam/

12. Private First Class Wesley Eagle Another American hero, Private First Class Wesley Eagle, United States Marine Corps Reserve, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism on Iwo Jima. On March 10, 1945, while under an intense Japanese attack, Eagle became the last remaining Browning Unit Rifleman from his unit capable of returning fire. Although wounded he refused to leave. He remained until all of his fallen service members were evacuated. He eventually died from his injuries. Private First Class Eagle was from the Chippewa tribe. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=7953/ http://www.aianveteransmonument.com/the--stories.html

13. Private First Class Wesley Eagle In his Navy Cross citation it reads, “By his dauntless leadership, bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, Private Eagle was an inspiration to his fellow Marines and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.” http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=7953/

14. Code talkers “Code talkers” refers to those Native Americans and Alaska Natives who used their tribal languages as communication experts during wartime. Code Talkers were initially used in World War I, when standard military methods of communications became compromised by enemy intelligence. Code Talkers spoke in their native tongue with incredible accuracy and speed to communicate wartime messages. Throughout World War II—in both the European and Pacific theaters—this covert communication method continued. The Code Talkers returned home, not as respected heroes, but as veterans sworn to secrecy, which lasted until 1968. https://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Pages/Treasury-and-Mint-Join-Congress-to-Honor-Native-American-Code-Talkers-.aspx

15. Code talkers In 2001, under Public Law 106-554, the Navajo Nation was the first tribe recognized and awarded Congressional Gold Medals. But other American Indian and Alaska Native tribes were not acknowledged. That changed with the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-420). The Act required the Secretary of the Treasury to design Congressional Medals in recognition of the code talkers. Under the Act, distinctive gold medals were made for each tribe that had a member who served as a code talker. Silver duplicate medals were presented to the individual code talkers, their families, or personal representatives. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-122/pdf/STATUTE-122-Pg4774.pdf

16. The Code Talkers Congressional Medals According to the U.S. Mint, Tribes presently recognized with Congressional Medals include: Cherokee Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Choctaw Nation, Comanche Nation, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Crow Nation, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Ho-Chunk Nation, Hopi Tribe, Kiowa Tribe, Menominee Nation, Meskwaki Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Oneida Nation, Osage Nation, Pawnee Nation, Ponca Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma Tribe, Pueblo of Laguna Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Santee Sioux Nation, Seminole Nation, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (Sioux) Tribe, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Tlingit Tribe, Tonto Apache Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Yankton Sioux Tribe. https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/medals/native-american-code-talkers

17. Alaska tlingits Code talkers In a 2013 ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol, five Alaska Tlingits were honored with the “highest expression of national appreciation” for their unsung contributions during World War I and World War II as members of the nation’s Code Talker program. The individual code talkers posthumously honored with the Congressional Silver Medal were: Jeff David Sr., George Lewis, Richard Bean, Mark Jacobs Jr., and Harvey Jacobs. https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362419 https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/alaska-tlingit-code-talkers-honored-congressional-gold-medals-wartime-work/2013/11/21/

18. Alaska tlingits Code talkers Also during the ceremony, the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest honor bestowed by Congress—was awarded to the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska as well as 32 other tribes across the country for their dedication and valor. Photos courtesy of Representative Don Young’s office https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362419

19. Alaska tlingits Code talkers Alaskan Representative Don Young said at the ceremony, “The critical role these men played in sparing the lives of fellow servicemen is remarkable. By communicating in spoken code at places like Iwo Jima and Normandy, these fine men forever changed history. Because of them, we were able to relay real-time information on enemy positions, provide directions to troops on the ground, and gather intelligence that helped us end a dark time in the world’s history.” https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362419

20. Aircraft Survival Equipment Airman Misty D. Warren Aircraft Survival Equipment Airman Misty Warren, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is believed to be the first American Indian woman to be designated as a naval test parachutist. She enlisted in the Navy in January 1998. She graduated from boot camp as the Honor Recruit for Division 126 and was presented with the Lone Sailor statue. Following graduation, she began training at Parachute Rigger “A” School where she graduated as an Honor Student. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph http://www.aianveteransmonument.com/the--stories.html http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=63555 http://www.dolphin-news.com/news/president-proclaims-november-is-national-native-american-heritage-month/article_9c77f8a1-f6c4-54e8-8389-506fa56b2204.html

21. Aircraft Survival Equipment Airman Misty D. Warren Next, Warren attended Explosive Ordinance Detachment Parachute Rigging training. She went on to be selected for Test Parachutist Candidate. On May 11, 1998 she was designated as a Naval Test Parachutist, the eighth female to have ever achieved this accomplishment. In October the same year, she attended Basic Airborne Training School where she earned her Basic Parachutist Jump Wings. A month later, she earned her Gold Wings as a Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist. http://www.dolphin-news.com/news/president-proclaims-november-is-national-native-american-heritage-month/article_9c77f8a1-f6c4-54e8-8389-506fa56b2204.html

22. Aircraft Survival Equipment Airman Misty D. Warren Warren was then selected by NASA to test equipment fitted for female astronauts. She participated in the NASA Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program. Her dream was to enter the space program after her tour of duty in the Navy was complete. On June 17, 1999, she lost her life on her 75th jump when her parachute failed to open properly while on a testing mission. Warren was buried with full military honors, she was 24 years old. http://www.aianveteransmonument.com/the--stories.html

23. National American Indian Heritage Month The Department of Defense along with the rest of our nation, celebrate the first people to live on the land we all value. American Indians and Alaska Natives have bravely defended and shaped our country’s character and our cultural heritage. Patriots of American Indian and Alaskan Native heritage continue to build legacies of freedom and diversity. U.S. Air Force photo by David Finley For additional DEOMI products and information please visit our website at: www.deomi.org

24. Prepared by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, FloridaNovember 2017 All photographs are public domain and are from various sources as cited. The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official DEOMI, U.S. military services, or the Department of Defense position, unless designated by other authorized documents.