Navajo people and Why their Culture was Pivotal to Changing the Fate of the Allies

616 Words2 Pages

CHAY-DA-GAHI is Navajo for tortoise and U.S. codeword for tank. DA-HE-TIH-HI meaning humming bird was codeword for fighter plane. NE-HE-MAH meaning our mother was codeword for America. These are the code words uttered by the Navajo people during World War 2. The code was unbreakable and was derived from an ancient language that forever changed modern warfare. Ultimately, the code and the small band of warriors that uttered it left the axis powers scratching their heads in frustration. When we think of America, we often attribute the American people as those that came over on a boat. We forget we are an immigrant nation surviving on stolen land. The Native American people were here long before we were. We often forget that Native Americans have shed as much blood for our country as they once did for theirs. A perfect example of the domains of culture; Learning and Knowledge, Community and Professionalism can be found when we analyze the contributions the Navajo code talkers made during World War 2. The children of the Navajo or The Diné are taught an ancient language that has bee...

More about Navajo people and Why their Culture was Pivotal to Changing the Fate of the Allies

Open Document