American Indians Outraged by Choice of Geronimo Code Name in Operation to Capture bin Laden

by Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

NATIVE BRIEF: NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - The Native American Journalist Association(NAJA) released a statement Wednesday afternoon regarding the usage of Geronimo’s name for the code name.

Geronimo-Apache Warrior

American Indians have a legacy of being warriors. During World War II, the military used the Navajo and Comanche service men as code talkers so that the enemy could not decode sensitive information and strategies of warfare.

This week with the release of the Geromino (E KIA = Enemy Killed in Action) code talk, American Indians are outraged that the United States military would invoke Geronimo’s name.

In a separate news release, President Shelly issued this statement:

“As the leader of the largest Indian nation in America, I am appalled and disappointed that United States Military leaders would dishonor the legacy of war leader-Geronimo and the Apache tribes. As well as, all Native American service men and women and our own Navajo Nation Code Talkers, who have fought hard for the freedom of all Americans.”

George Red Elk, Comanche Indian Veterans Association Commander said he was, “very upset that the code name that was chosen for the operation of killing Osama Bin Laden. The Comanche Nation, as well as all Native American Nations, have served this country honorably and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we can still have the freedoms that are in our U.S Constitution.”

To read the full statement by

Navajo President Shelly »

To read the full statement by

Native American Journalist Association »

President Shelly Reacts to the Use of Code Name “Geronimo” by U.S. Military Forces

“As the leader of the largest Indian nation in America, I am appalled and disappointed that United States Military leaders would dishonor the legacy of war leader - Geronimo and the Apache tribes. As well as, all Native American service men and women and our own Navajo Nation Code Talkers, who have fought hard for the freedom of all Americans.

Today, I ask President Obama and the Pentagon to change the operation code name 'Geronimo' from this day forward. So that U.S. history books will not continue to portray negative stereotypes of Native Americans and that America’s youth will remember Geronimo as one of our greatest war heroes.”

Ben Shelly, President
The Navajo Nation
May 4, 2011

NAJA Statement on “Geronimo” Codename for Osama Bin Laden

The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) is very grateful and proud that the US government captured one of the biggest terrorists known to man kind, however, in doing so, the U.S government once again contributed to the stereotyping of Native Americans by utilizing a historical Native icon such as Geronimo, to set the scene for American ridicule by comparing him to the capturing and killing of Osama Bin Laden.

The information distributed to multiple media sources across the nation, on the U.S government’s behalf, has proven to the Native Nations across the board, that the American people in addition to the U.S government still don’t understand that we, the Native People of this land, are not here for constant public humiliation.

In the New York Time’s article, “Clues Gradually Led to the Location of Osama Bin Laden”, Leon E. Panetta, the C.I.A. director, narrated “We have a visual on Geronimo,” he said. A few minutes later: “Geronimo EKIA.” Enemy Killed In Action.

Since this information hit the news stands through out the nation, NAJA has received numerous calls of complaint from our fellow colleagues and tribal members who were upset to find out that again, our Native People are being equated to a terrorist/murderer/enemy number one. We ask the Federal Government: could there not have been another name used in reference to this attack? Could we not have used another infamous enemy in reference to Bin Laden? Say, perhaps, Custer or Columbus? Throughout American history, our Native people have served in this country’s military in the highest numbers per capita of any racial group and yet sadly this is the way they are repaid for their service given to the United States.

Both the Comanche and Navajo Nations helped the United States in World War 2 with their language used as codes. George Red Elk, Comanche Indian Veterans Association Commander said he was, “very upset that the code name that was chosen for the operation of killing Osama Bin Laden. The Comanche Nation, as well as all Native American Nations, have served this country honorably and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we can still have the freedoms that are in our U.S Constitution.”

Since 2001, 61 American Indians and Alaskan Natives have died defending our country in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 400 have been wounded. Native Nations also lost Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman, believed to be the first Native American woman ever to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military. All our Native service men and women have served honorably and continue to serve.

This is not a matter of being sensitive; it’s a matter of respect. It’s time the United States respect the original people of this land and the Native people who step up to defend our freedoms.

It is unacceptable for the United States to equate Geronimo with Osama bin Laden. Geronimo stood up for his people, their traditions, and the land they lived upon. Geronimo was no terrorist. He was a member of North America’s homeland security, and Native North Americans will never forget that.

We ask the federal government to apologize for the use of Geronimo’s name with this operation as many of our Native Nations have been offended.

Contact: Jeff Harjo
Native American Journalists Association
May 4, 2011

“We’ve ID’d Geronimo”  Not rated yet
“We’ve ID’d Geronimo” - 102 years after his death Geronimo is still being killed by U.S. Forces.

This is a sad commentary ...