Labels and such Pt 1:Code Talkers

Not too long I ago there was this older couple staying at the hotel that I work at. They were very excited about visiting Arizona, now more specifically they were excited about the Navajo culture and wanted to visit the main points of the rezervtion.

They said that they were going to visit Canyon De Chelly and the code talkers memorial museum.

Now here's where it got interesting as in somewhat political and what not. At first they thought I was mexican.

Then I told that I am Navajo.

their eyes widened and they apologized and stated that they had a keen interest in Navajo.

That lead to them talking to me about how the language was used in WW2 and that it saved many lives.

(Now I know this. Growing up I was told of the code and what it did for our tribe and for the nation. In school I was also taught about it and told that it was classified until the government said it was ok to be talked about. That's when we had a code talker come and share his story about him and the platoon that he was with.)

I just listened to him, his eyes shone with extreme interest and acknowledgment as his wife stood by his side with a smile and nodded her head every few seconds.

I was glad to see that he had interest in my heritage and the culture that in ways are being lost to this nation and world. It gave me a renowned sense that this is what still needs to be known and shared.

At they same time I felt sad, that not everyone can see this in the same way as this duo does. To be so awed by a culture and take the time to listen and learn about what they find unique. To go out and educate themselves by traveling to the source.

Such appreciation is hard to find for the 1st Nations in this country. And I was honored to have found small pin in a haystack.

I'll end this post on that note, but I'll have a part 2 where I'll write about the labels and "politically correct" things.