Native Words, Native Warriors December 1, 2010

When the United States issued the call to arms in WWI and WWII, American Indians answered. Some discovered that words in their Native languages would be their most valued weapons. Crackling over the airwaves and telephone lines, the code talkers' messages proved indecipherable to the enemy and helped the United States achieve victory in combat. Decades later, the U.S. government declassified the code talker programs, paving the way for the participants' long-overdue recognition. 'Native Words, Native Warriors, 'developed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, tells the remarkable story of these American heroes and highlights the cultural backgrounds that made possible their unique and valuable contribution to the war effort. The exhibition includes a short film, 'The Power of Words: Native Languages as Weapons of War,' and a hands-on activity area for children to explore the fun and mystery of ciphering and making codes. Photos and military memorabilia collected from living Pequot veterans are also on display in the Mashantucket Gallery.