thedrifter
03-05-08, 07:07 AM
Talk of the ages
Navajo key in Second World War
By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA
His language played a key role during the Second World War, helping transmit a code enemy troops reportedly could not crack.
From 1943 to 1945, Keith Little, 84, was a Navajo code talker for the U.S. marines. During conflicts, such as the historic battle of Iwo Jima, he sent and received coded messages in Navajo that contained important battlefield information.
The special code proved tough to decipher since enemy troops couldn't understand Navajo.
"(The Americans) were looking for a code that was reliable and safe in battle," said Little.
During the war, the marines did everything they could to ensure code talkers were not captured by enemy troops.
"The code was to be protected at all costs," he said.
This morning, Little and other code talkers will be talking at the First Nations Language Symposium in Winnipeg at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre.
"It's a contribution to the war that nobody knew anything about," said Little regarding the role of code breakers.
For many years after the war, their story remained untold.
In recent decades, however, the code breakers have received a number of honours, including awards for their service from U.S. presidents.
Manitoba's Adam Beach
The 2002 film Windtalkers, starring Nicolas Cage and Manitoba's Adam Beach, also drew inspiration from the role of code talkers during the Second World War. NDP Culture Minister Eric Robinson will host an event to honour the Navajo code talkers tomorrow.
Little, who is the president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association, said preserving aboriginal languages is crucial to maintaining cultural connections.
Ruth Norton, a First Nations language specialist, said Canada's residential schools, which forced many students to speak European languages, led to declining numbers of aboriginal language speakers.
Preserving languages, such as Cree and Ojibway, is needed to help pass down culture and history from one generation to the next, she said.
"It's a big effort to restore the language, the culture and the traditions," said Norton.
Ellie
Navajo key in Second World War
By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA
His language played a key role during the Second World War, helping transmit a code enemy troops reportedly could not crack.
From 1943 to 1945, Keith Little, 84, was a Navajo code talker for the U.S. marines. During conflicts, such as the historic battle of Iwo Jima, he sent and received coded messages in Navajo that contained important battlefield information.
The special code proved tough to decipher since enemy troops couldn't understand Navajo.
"(The Americans) were looking for a code that was reliable and safe in battle," said Little.
During the war, the marines did everything they could to ensure code talkers were not captured by enemy troops.
"The code was to be protected at all costs," he said.
This morning, Little and other code talkers will be talking at the First Nations Language Symposium in Winnipeg at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre.
"It's a contribution to the war that nobody knew anything about," said Little regarding the role of code breakers.
For many years after the war, their story remained untold.
In recent decades, however, the code breakers have received a number of honours, including awards for their service from U.S. presidents.
Manitoba's Adam Beach
The 2002 film Windtalkers, starring Nicolas Cage and Manitoba's Adam Beach, also drew inspiration from the role of code talkers during the Second World War. NDP Culture Minister Eric Robinson will host an event to honour the Navajo code talkers tomorrow.
Little, who is the president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association, said preserving aboriginal languages is crucial to maintaining cultural connections.
Ruth Norton, a First Nations language specialist, said Canada's residential schools, which forced many students to speak European languages, led to declining numbers of aboriginal language speakers.
Preserving languages, such as Cree and Ojibway, is needed to help pass down culture and history from one generation to the next, she said.
"It's a big effort to restore the language, the culture and the traditions," said Norton.
Ellie