Traveling exhibition features Native American Veterans
National Archives and Records Administration - Navajo code talkers Corporal Henry Bahe Jr. and PFC George H. Kirk. Bougainville, South Pacific, December 1943.
MATTAWA — The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian traveling exhibition is on display at the Wanapum Heritage Center in Mattawa.
Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation's Armed Forces reveals the remarkable history of Native American veterans through art, photography and essay. The 16-panel exhibition documents 250 years of Native peoples' contributions to the U.S. military.
According to the Smithsonian, Native Americans have served in every major U.S. military encounter from the Revolutionary War to today's conflicts in the Middle East and in higher numbers per capita than any other ethnic group.
“It's so meaningful to me because it shares a story that is an important part of our history,” Lela Buck, Heritage Center director and member of the Wanapum Band said. “It highlights the vital role Native Americans played in military service throughout our nation's history. We are grateful to host Patriot Nations and invite everyone to come and learn this history.”
The exhibition is produced by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, and made possible by the generous support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
“Having the exhibition come to the Wanapum Heritage Center near Mattawa is a great honor, Buck said. “We're very grateful to share this exhibition with our community. It will include the personal stories of the Wanapum Band's own military veterans in photographs.”
The exhibition runs through May 8 in the Wanapum Heritage Center at 29086 on Washington Hwy 243. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The Patriot Nations exhibition also promotes the National Native American Veterans Memorial, to be built on the National Museum of the American Indian grounds on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Design finalists for the memorial will be announced later this month.
The National Museum of the American Indian is collaborating with the National Congress of American Indian, Native American veterans, tribal leaders, historians and cultural experts to complete the memorial by Veteran's Day 2020. For more information about the memorial, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu/NNAVM.