![]() ![]() The warrior tradition was integral to Indigenous life, and it was this call that encouraged many Indigenous people to serve in the military. ![]() Many tribes had several specific warrior subgroups within their communities, which had their own ceremonies and ways of life. ![]() Because warriors were regarded with so much respect, boys trained from an early age to develop the appropriate mental, emotional, and physical strength required of warriors. Warriors were men in communities who cared for people and helped during times of difficulties and were committed to ensuring their tribes survived. The traditional role of an Indigenous “warrior” involved more than just fighting enemies. Oakes along with 13 other veterans visited the Air Force, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans monuments, the Pentagon and at Arlington National Cemetery – the Changing of the Guard.Let’s get one thing clear – the name of the Navajo Code Talkers Day holiday has less to do with the Navajo tribe itself and more to do with the broader term that encompasses the “Navajo Code” used to help fool the fascist Nazis and imperialist Japanese during WWII. A high point of the journey was the escort from more than 80 motorcyclists during their 90-minute trip to Plattsburgh, Two Row Times reported. In September, his daughter Dora went with him on the 17th Honour Flight to the nation’s capital. Since getting the medal, Oakes has been honored a number of times for his contribution as a code talker. Oakes, seated in the front row, was presented with a silver medal for his contribution. She spoke the words to an audience of 550 people gathered together on the Memorial Day Weekend for the presentation of two dozen Congressional Medals, the highest civilian award that can be awarded to an individual by the U.S. For many, that meant their friends and families were unaware of the contributions they made. Sadly, these heroes were told not to say anything of their critical roles in military campaigns. Ten Native communities contributed code talkers, including Mohawks.Ĭongresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) at the Travis Solomon Memorial Lacrosse Box in Generations Park in Akwesasne said on May 28, that their selfless sacrifice wasn’t recognized by the nation. It’s time for their elders and families to be recognized for their courageous efforts to secure the peace, not only in America and Akwesasne, but in the world.Ĭongress passed the Code Talkers Recognition Act in 2008 to pay tribute to all Native American code talkers who served in the U.S. ![]() Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance Jr. Without their service, we might not be here today, said St. Thank you to our code talkers, who didn’t listen and kept speaking their language. His story and those of other code talkers, unknown until recently, are finally seeing the light of day and they are being honored for their courage. In the middle of the fight against resolute Japanese resistance was Oakes, oftentimes behind enemy lines sending messages to American forces. Their open lines of communication played a large role in the coming Allied victory. Messages sent in their Mohawk language puzzled the Japanese who couldn’t understand the language. He joined up as a code talker and spent over two and a half years in the Pacific Theatre as the United States and its allies freed islands and territories controlled by Japanese forces. Levi had been a technician in the Army with the 4th Grade, Company B, 442nd Signal Battalion. Realizing their grandfather had a role in an important part of history makes him a hero in their eyes, said Teresa Oakes. ![]()
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