AT THE SMITHSONIAN

A New Memorial Will Soon Honor the Heroism of Native American Veterans

For design ideas and funding, the National Museum of the American Indian turns to its community

Correspondent

August 9, 2017

Veterans at NMAI — U.S. senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell, dressed in ceremonial Northern Cheyenne regalia, and Daniel K. Inouye, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, stand with Native American Vietnam veterans during the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in 2004. NMAI

Reflecting on the service of Native Americans in the United States military, one is likely to picture the embattled Navajo code talkers of World War II, whose decryption-resistant communications stymied the Japanese and proved instrumental in securing key Allied victories in the fight for the Pacific.

A sterling example of Native American warriors’ composure and commitment under pressure, the code talkers’ story is but a small piece of a much larger narrative. Too often forgotten, the depth of sacrifice of all manner of Native American peoples across American history cannot be overstated.

As of now, 140,000 living Native Americans are veterans of the U.S. military—more than 16,000 of them female. This in addition to the 31,000 American Indian and Alaska Native servicemen and women who are currently fighting on behalf of this country abroad.

“We have so much to celebrate,” says Ben Nighthorse Campbell, an ambassador for the Cheyenne people who has served his country as both a Korean War combatant and Colorado senator. “Like so many others, I was compelled to serve to honor the warrior tradition that is inherent to most Native American societies—the pillars of strength, honor, pride, devotion and wisdom.”

The National Museum of the American Indian has announced that it will be soliciting designs for a Native American Veterans Memorial. The competition opens on November 11. Finalist submissions will be chosen by January 25, and the winning design will earn a prominent place on the National Mall.

Veteran’s Day is an apt jumping-off point for the conceptualization of this tribute, which will honor Native American personnel who have served patriotically in all branches of the U.S. military dating back to the country’s inception.

Congress has declined to apportion federal funds for the memorial, but Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian, is unbowed. Vocal and radically optimistic, Gover does not doubt the resolve of the Native American community to see this project through to completion.

Addressing the museum-going public, Gover exhorted supporters to “participate in this historic moment—for our country, for veterans, and for the Native American communities whose loyalty and passion have helped make America what it is today.”

Competition details will be available here as of November 11, 2017.