As we take time to honor members of the US military who have fought to preserve our peace, safety, and freedoms, we can also thank Native Americans for their astounding contribution to our nation’s armed forces. While many Native Americans serve and have supported the US military, many of their achievements, dedication, and sacrifice are unacknowledged by the greater public. While we appreciate members of the military during Veteran’s Day, we also have an opportunity to reflect on how we benefit from Native Americans’ service to the armed forces.
Many non-native people in the US assume that Native Americans might not participate as much in protecting and defending the United States. It might be that people don’t consider the matter very often (I know I don’t sit around and guess military participation based on ethnic groups) or it could be that non-natives assume Native Americans are not as engaged or invested in the US government and military.
Below are 5 facts you might not have known about Native Americans involved in defending our freedoms, our laws, and our safety:
1) Native Americans serve in higher numbers per capita than any other ethnic group
Above, President Barack Obama awards Joseph Medicine Crow (Apsáalooke [Crow], 1913–2016) the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Washington, D.C., August 2009. The Apsáalooke [Crow] people named Medicine Crow a war chief for his military exploits in Europe during World War II. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
In fact, a higher percentage of Native Americans served post 9/11 than any other ethnicity. Almost 19% of Native Americans served in the Armed Forces compared to 14% of other ethnicity. About 31,000 Native Americans are currently serving on active duty and there are an estimated 140,000 living Native American veterans today.
2) Native Americans have served in the US military since the birth of the United States.
Not only are Native Americans exceptionally involved in the armed forces, they've served in every major conflict in the US since the American Revolution. Sara Tyonajanegan, a member of the Oneida tribe, fought alongside her husband in the Battle of Oriskany. This battle is considered one of the bloodiest battles in the North American Theater during the Revolutionary War. Tyonajanegan fought with two pistols, reloaded her husband’s gun for him, and even delivered messages after the battle. The Oneida Tribe states that many Oneidas served in the battle and were a large part of its success.
The Oneida Nation notes on their website:
"Each year, the Oneida Nation joins with its neighbors to commemorate the noble victory of our respective ancestors at Oriskany.
Because of their mutual steadfast commitment to colonial independence, the United States of America was forged.
Heroes come in many ages, in many sizes and in many colors.
It does not matter the color of a person’s skin when fighting side by side in battle.
Nor should those differences matter beyond the battlefield.
We joined forces with the fledgling United States because we believed in its just cause.
We believed in the colonists’ rights to be free from their British oppressors."
3) 99% of all draft-eligible Native American men enlisted during WWII
The support from Native Americans during World War II was staggering. From the Code Talkers in the Pacific Theater to the over 800 women who served, Native Americans were critical to the success of WWII. The Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy went as far as to enact its own declaration of war against the Axis Powers.
4) There will be a monument to honor Native American veterans on the National Mall.
Above, War bonnets adorn uniform jackets at a Ton-Kon-Gah (Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society) ceremonial near Anadarko, Oklahoma, 2006. Photo by Emil Her Many Horses, NMAI.
Congress authorized the National Museum of the American Indian to create a memorial on their campus with the goal to dedicate the memorial in 2020. The congressional authorization was contingent that federal funds would not be used, so the museum is raising funds to help build the memorial.
5) Native American veterans experience higher rates of poverty than other veterans
AP Photo/Kevin Cederstrom In this June 9, 2014 photo Kezwin Brave Bull, 17, right, and Sabastian Ell, 4, walk to their house on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in Cannon Ball, N.D. President Barack Obama visited the Dakotas as a candidate and returned as president to speak on the reservation, one of many plagued by economic and social challenges.
According to the VA, Native American veterans in general are more likely to have family incomes in the ranges below 30,000 dollars and less likely in the range of 50,000 dollars or more than veterans of all races. In fact, roughly 60% of all Native American veterans under the age of 65 earn less than $50,000 compared to only 46% of veterans of all other races who fall below $50,000.
Despite these odds, Native Americans elect to serve their country and fight alongside their countrymen in higher numbers than any other ethnic group. So as we take some time to appreciate the contribution of veterans this year, be sure to thank a Native American for their service!
Want to do something with this information? Here are 4 ways to stay involved:
- Stay tuned here! This week on our blog we share our special meeting with a WWII vet!
- Check out the National Museum of the American Indian's exhibit "Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces"on display at the Museum of the Southeast American Indian in Pembroke, NC until Dec 12th. Details available here.
- Read more about Native American Veterans at Indian Country Media Network
- Donate to the National Monument to Honor Native American Veterans
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