The Warrior Tradition Continues
Women in the military
For November - Native American Heritage Month
"Historically, Native Americans have the highest
record of military service, per capita, when compared with other ethnic
groups. Native Americans have distinctive cultural values which drive
them to serve their country. One such value is their proud warrior
tradition.
As we celebrate Veterans Day and Native American
Heritage Month in November, the United States military can be expected
to provide continuing opportunities for Native American men and women.
For their part, Native Americans can be expected to carry on their
centuries-old warrior tradition – serving with strength, honor, pride,
courage, and distinction.
U.S. Department of the Interior
"The warrior tradition is best exemplified by the
following qualities inherent to most, if not all, Native American
societies:
Strength
- wowasake* (WO-wa-shak-ay):
To be an American Indian warrior is to have
physical, mental, and spiritual toughness. Many traditional cultures
recognize that war disrupts the natural order of life and causes
spiritual disharmony. Military service is a unique way to develop an
inner strength that is valued in Native American communities.
Honor
- woyuonihan* (WO-you-o-nee-han):
Before going into service and after their return,
warriors are recognized by family and community. Recognition takes place
through private family gatherings, or through public ceremonies, such as
tribal dances or intertribal events.
Pride
- wowitan* (WO-wee-tan):
Being a warrior in traditional Native American
society gives one a sense of pride and a sense of accomplishment at a
time in life when self-esteem is just developing. Becoming a warrior
brings status to young men and women in the Native American culture.
Devotion;
also to believe in - wowicala* (WO-wee-cha-la):
Native American warriors are devoted to the
survival of their people and their homeland. If necessary, warriors will
die to preserve their culture, for death to the Native American warrior
is another step in the advancement of life. It is understood that the
warrior’s spirit lives on eternally.
Wisdom - woksape* (WOK-sa-pay)
* Words with phonetic spellings are parts of the
Dakota language. Dakota is the language of the Sisseton-Wahpeton
Tribe, the Tribe of the veterans in the modern pictures."
Text from the JPEG - U.S. Department of the Interior