National Aboriginal Veterans Day : Akicita

 

 

Akicita – Lakota word for warrior.  a long tradition of protecting their homelands and families. were often forced to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform, from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences, to having to travel great distances from their remote communities just to enlist. The challenges they faced often extended to their post-service life. Many Indigenous war Veterans would not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans.

Sometimes we forget that there be heroes on both sides.  The Comanches, “Lords of the Plains” were known to be fierce and brave and willing to do anything to survive.  Something their warriors did was hang off the side of their horse and let loose arrows.  They were highly skilled warriors and worthy opponents. 

In all the wars leading up to, World War I, Native Americans served as scouts.  But, In WW1, they joined up in order to get citizenship in the US.  (On return from t WW2, they came home to find that they had no home to go to because they had lost their status.) They were then used as Code Talkers.  In WW2 the Navajo, Comanche, Meskwaki Code Talkers were in active duty.  These veterans served their country well and were and are highly respected.  One famous hero was Ira Hayes, a Puma, and he was buried in Arlington Cemetery.  He was one of the six who raised the US flag on top of a mountain on the island of Iwo Jima at the end of Japanese control of that area.  Since 9/11 Native Americans have served at a higher per-capita rate than any other ethnicity.  Party of this is because of their culture in that warriors are given such great respect and there is cultural pride in doing so.

At this time of year, we get so focused about Thanksgiving and Memorial Days that we tend to forget that November 8^th is Native Remembrance Day.   It was first observed in Winnipeg, 1994. 

It is time to end the myth of Thanksgiving that is false.  It is time to recognize the part of First Nations in building or countries.  We need to celebrate this and recognize the heroes of those who fought and those who died for our country for over 200 hundred years from 1812 to Afghanistan and today they continue to serve our country in service and protection.