by Antonia Gonzales
Navajo Nation tribal leaders responded to a White House event honoring Native American Code Talkers by calling the contributions of code talkers invaluable, but cultural insensitivity shown by President Donald Trump after Trump made comments about Pocahontas.
Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez
“The statement by President Trump was disrespectful and rude,” said Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez on Tuesday in response to President Trump’s comments. “Our Navajo Code Talkers fought for courage and honor and that same respect should have been given to them yesterday at the White House. Instead that event will be remembered for entirely different reasons.”
In a statement, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said the tribe does not want to engage in dialogue between Senator Elizabeth Warren and Trump, but said all tribal nations still battle insensitive references and prejudice. Nez said the tribe has asked the White House for an apology and believes one step toward reconciliation would be for President Trump to keep his verbal commitment he made Monday to help build a museum to honor Navajo Code Talkers.
“I don’t see an apology coming from President Trump, but I think that if he were to make it right or to show his thankfulness to our Navajo Code Talkers he will take on this national Navajo Code Talkers museum,” said Nez. “As his (Trump) personal project and make that happen for our heroes, the Navajo Code Talkers, and build that here on the Navajo Nation.”
Trump’s comments came as he welcomed three elderly Navajo Code Talkers to the White House for a ceremony to honor Native American Code Talkers. Navajo and other code talkers from different tribes served during World Wars I and II, and federal statistics show Native Americans serve in the Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other demographic group in the U.S.
Navajo Code Talkers are honored at an event in Gallup, New Mexico. (File Photo: Antonia Gonzales, 2010)
Ninety-year-old Peter MacDonald discussed the role Navajo Code Talkers had in World War II, which included the original 29 Navajo men who were recruited in 1942 to develop the code using the Navajo language. The Navajo code is considered unbreakable and is credited for helping save the lives of countless American military service members during combat in the Pacific.
“General Vandegrift, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, sent word back to (the) United States saying this Navajo code is terrific,” said MacDonald. “The enemy never understood it, he said. We don’t understand it either, but it works. Send us some more Navajos.”
MacDonald was joined at the White House by Fleming Begaye and Thomas Begay. They were all dressed in the Navajo Code Talkers uniform, which includes gold shirts, red hats and turquoise jewelry. President Trump stood next to the men and proceeded to the podium after MacDonald’s remarks.
Trump decided not to read his speech, but instead handed it to MacDonald commenting that he did not have to give a speech because MacDonald had said the same thing he was going to deliver. The president then acknowledged members in the audience and made the reference to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“And I just want to thank you because you’re very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas,” said Trump.
Trump has used the term repeatedly to refer to the Massachusetts senator over her claims of Native American heritage. Some Democratic U.S. senators and leaders of national Native organizations have called out the president for use of the term stating it’s a racial slur.
Trump said to the three Navajo Code Talkers that help would be coming. “So, they’re working on building a Navajo Code Talkers Museum. And we will help you. Okay?” said Trump. “And we have some pretty good strength. We will help you and you deserve it.”
Navajo Code Talkers have been working for years on a museum and veterans center project. The envision for the museum would be for it to be built on the Navajo Nation to highlight and educate the public about the contributions Navajo Code Talkers made during World War II. The veterans center would be intended as a gathering place for all veterans and an area for veterans to access services.
The vile man living in the White House is not my president. I honor you, the Code Talkers and all people– not him, though– or that nasty Sarah Huckabee Sanders who claims it’s the rest of us with the problem. Da** white privilege.
Yes they deserve the honor an respect as any service veteran peace an strength for their spirits…amen
Oh please give me a break. Pocahontas people are really offended by this. This whole thing has gotten way out of control. Here we have a president honoring Native Americans. Okay I agree maybe he should not have said it but it was a joke people. Are you kidding me. Trump haters are everywhere quit with the personal attacks and stand behind a president. I could not stand Obama but did I want him to fail hell no because he is our president like it or not people
John,
You need a break– some time out to re-think this cold, nasty attitude. The Code Talkers were heroes, and tRump’s snide remarks about Senator Warren were a racial slur meant to embarrass her. However, it was rude to use an historic Native American figure to make that slur. What seems acceptable as a joke to you, was intentionally hurtful for Senator Warren, and concurrently hurtful for millions of Native Americans across the US. It is one more piece of evidence of #45’s rampant bigotry.
Sir you are mentally diminished if this is what you actually think. I support our president 100%, but he was wrong for doing this. His comments were not appropriate at this ceremony honoring these brave Navajo MARINES.
This is just awful and so embarrassing. Every morning I wake up afraid of what he’s done next.
Impeach Trump now!
Send Trump back to whatever saloon he stumbled out of.
I agree the comment about Warren was not appropriate at the time when brave men were being honored. However, seems you already have your biases in place by making the statement you do not expect an apology – so why did you ask for one. The president brought you to the White House to honor your veterans and your heritage – what other president has done that? Respect goes both ways so show him a little as well if you want to set an example.
At least as disrespectful to these invaluable service men was meeting with them under a portait of “Indian Killer,” Andrew Jackson. I’m speechless.
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