|
Table
of Contents
The
Long Walk
Missionary Schools Prohibit
Navajo Language
Federal Livestock Reduction Program
America Goes to War
Need for a
Code
Building of the Navajo Code
Guadalcanal
Iwo Jima
Okinawa
Homecoming
War Heroes
Interview Transcripts
Bibliography
Process Paper
|
Introduction
In
the missionary schools Navajo children
were sent from their homes, forced to learn English, and abandon their
Navajo
language and culture. Joe Kellwood said,
“Every night they lined us up and paddled us for
speaking Navajo
during the
day.”
During World War II the Navajos
were used as an important part of the USMC (United States Marine Corps)
signal corps. Speaking
English and Navajo was a requirement for all code
talkers. Their code, based on the Navajo
language, saved many lives during the Pacific Island hopping campaign. The soldiers returned from the war and some
of them used their English language skills to succeed away from the
reservation. Today Navajos recognize the
importance of
keeping their language and culture alive.
|
