DISCOVER THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR

Way of the Warrior: Ancient confederacies

John Yahola (Creek) is a member of the Muscogee Red Stick Society. He was a recon scout in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War and saw action in Vietnam and Cambodia. He sees the service of his father, brothers, and uncles in the larger context of Creek warriors and ancient confederacies.


 

Why in the 20th Century did Native Americans join the U.S. military in percentages greater than any other group?

Navajo Code TalkerWatch the documentary and explore this site to learn the compelling stories and intriguing answers to this question.Way of the Warrior uses personal stories of heroes and soldiers to examine the warrior ethic in Indian Country and to try to answer the question why military service is so highly valued in Native communities. These gripping stories from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam weave a tapestry of positive and negative themes—the warrior ethic, prejudice and stereotypes, forced assimilation, poverty, cultural pride, redemptive acts and healing.  The documentary uses historical footage, period photographs, Native music, personal diaries and interviews to reveal what it means to be “ogichidaa,” one who protects and follows the way of the warrior.

THE WARRIOR TRADITION

Jim Northrup and Wife

Corp. Mitchell Red Cloud (Ho-Chunk) received the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic actions during the Korean War. (National Archives photo)

During WWI, at least 12,000 Native men enlisted in the military, even though many of them were not citizens and not required to serve. The most popular recruitment centers were Indian Boarding Schools—often harsh places of forced assimilation where Indian children marched to classes and Native boys drilled in cadet uniforms. This repressive environment, according to historian Thomas Britten, promoted “a seamless transition from boarding schools to training camps to the front lines.” Some served because of economics. Some wanted adventure. Some belonged to “warrior” clans. Others served out of a sense of patriotism, both to their own Indian nation and to the United States. In World War II, Indian women, including Joreen Coker (Creek), joined the war effort, serving in units like the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). Like many Native people, Coker’s definition of “warrior” goes beyond that of military combatant.

Purchase the Documentary

Purchase the DVD of "Way of the Warrior"Order your copy of the "Way of the Warrior" DVD from VisionMaker Video.Purchase for home use or educational use. Cover art by Dawn Dark Mountain.