Construction of the National Native American Veterans Memorial as seen from the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
REFLECTING THEIR STORY Work on the National Native American Vet- erans Memorial began with the formation of an Advisory Committee of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans, tribal leaders and families of veterans. The committee is co-chaired by former Senator and Northern Cheyenne tribal member Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Chickasaw Na- tion Lt. Governor Emeritus Jefferson Keel, both distinguished veterans. The group grew to nearly 30 men and women who are from Native communities across the United States and represent all branches and several eras of service, from the Korean War to the present.
From 2015 to 2017, museum staff and
members of the Advisory Committee spent about 18 months consulting with Native American veterans, active duty service mem- bers, tribal leaders, veterans’ families and com- munity members. During 35 consultations in 16 states and the District of Columbia, staff met with about 1,200 people to share plans for the memorial and gather their recommendations. Veterans and their family members told
stories of service, sharing the pride and pain these memories bring them. Norma Jean Dunne (Tsimshian), who participated in one consultation session, wrote to NMAI, “Our Native American and Alaska Native
men and women have served in the United States Armed Forces with honor and distinc- tion, defending the security of our nation and state of Alaska with their lives, whenever called upon.” Veterans also discussed their reasons for
serving in the military, foremost among these being an inherited sense of responsibility to protect their homeland, family, community and way of life. “Why are we willing to sac- rifice our lives for this country?” Rod Grove (Southern Ute) posed. “Because our great, great-grandparents’ bones are in this land.” These consultations with community mem- bers were essential to understanding what
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 31
PHOTO: ALAN KARCHMER FOR NMAI
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