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The Warrior TraditionThe Warrior Tradition
56:10
Published:

The largely-untold story of Native Americans who served in the United States military.

The Warrior Tradition DVD

The astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military.y.

BONUS VIDEOS

The Warrior TraditionA Question of Identity
4:06
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Soldiers have had to question who they are while serving in the United States military. Struggling with the irony of going into combat in other countries against those that look like them. They have had to either put aside their identity to become one with their fellow soldiers to fight or carry a dual identity of being a “proud Native American and a proud American."

The Warrior TraditionThe Image of Native Americans
2:26
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Native American veterans speak about the experiences they’ve had interacting with non-Native Americans around the world, how stereotypes shaped the worlds view of them and how diverse their culture is.

The Warrior TraditionNative Traditions and Healing
6:12
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Veterans share their experiences with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how their culture and traditions have helped them. These traditions help bring back the veterans humanity and reintegrate them back into society through ceremonies that honor and purify.

The Warrior TraditionWomen Warriors
4:31
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Meet women warrior veterans who share their challenges and strengths within the Native American culture and the U.S. military. Hear how the attitude of society and their tribe on women serving in the military has changed.

There's more than one way to be a warrior.
Native American filmmakers explore the warrior tradition
  • Disqualified Warriors, a film by Kiowa filmmaker Jeffery Palmer
  • The Protector, a film by Diné filmmaker Ramona Emerson
  • Art, Honor & Service, a film by Seneca filmmaker Caleb G. Abrams
  • Minnie's War Bonnet a film by Lakota fimmaker Yvonne Russo

For thousands of years, Native American warriors have been the first line of defense in a hostile situation. Indian warriors have a wide mix of emotions and motives – patriotism, pride, rage, courage, practicality, and spirituality, all mingling with an abiding respect for tribal, familial, and national traditions. Being a warrior involves more than fighting enemies, it is about service to the community and protection of their homeland. These are key points that are explored in the PBS program The Warrior Tradition. To complement the film, WNED-TV commissioned a series of original digital video essays by Native American producers. Each of these short films provides additional insight into the warrior tradition.