Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day I want to specifically say, Gunalchéesh to all of the Code Talkers that served, especially those who paid with their life.

Our lands were taken by people that didn’t see that we were religious people, already living in a continent founded on religious freedom.

When Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, they struggled with food.

So we taught a man to fish; we taught them to grow corn and feed themselves.

When they came to our lands, they became our neighbors; we loved them as we loved ourselves.

“Forgive them father, for they know not what they do”.
Settlers didn’t know all of the protocols Natives followed to uphold peace and avoid conflict.
Yet, despite encroaching on Clan territories, and boundaries, unannounced, and without permission, to take what wasn’t theirs; and yet, we still came to meet, to speak about solutions, to sign agreements... because it was obvious these settlers had no idea what offensive things they did.

So we forgave those offenses in order to attempt to settle disputes.
Attempts to communicate and problem solve were more important than hasty decisions, wars, and disrespect.

They didn’t know that our lives were devoted to the creator, and upholding our way of life- our religion of serving the earth, and yet by fulfilling our religious culture, we also fulfilled their religious teachings.

So when we fulfilled our ancestral traditions of peace and acceptance, we agreed to take on the demands of the new society.
They didn’t treat us equally, or love us equally.
We weren’t their neighbors, we were their burden, their nuisance.
They didn’t allow us the offerings that ensured prosperity.

Yet, even when forced to serve in wars, we stepped up.

Indigenous people have served this country in the highest numbers, per capita, since the Mayflower hit the beaches.

Let it be known that all Indigenous Americans served in the highest numbers, on behalf of their new government, in every major war since WWI.

Our people continually save Americans, with little recognition.

Please see the following commemorative medal coins for all Code Talkers of America, and remember the great sacrifices all our Native people made on behalf of this country.
We lost our best warriors early on, in this manner. Chiefs, warriors, peace makers, shamans... all our best, because they were taught to never give less than their best.

Gunalchéesh

https://catalog.usmint.gov/medals/code-talkers/