KUAC: Alaska Federation of Natives backs veterans memorial

The Alaska Federation of Natives passed a resolution during their annual convention last month in support of a Native American’s Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. No such memorial currently exists. Tribes across the nation are trying to change that.

If you been to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Washington DC, it’s likely you’ve also seen a bronze sculpture of three Soldiers that stands nearby. “The soldier in the middle represents the Caucasian, the soldier on the right represents the African American and the soldier on the left wearing the boonie cap is commonly referred to as the Hispanic or the Latino," explans Steven Bowers. He's a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He says he feels underappreciated for his service during the Vietnam War with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “Our own research tells us the American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian served more per capita than any other ethnic group in the whole country, but we’re not recognized,” he says.

For the last two years, Bowers has led the American Indian Veterans Memorial Initiative to establish a memorial on the National Mall. Last month, he was in Fairbanks to garner support from the Alaska Federation of Natives. During the annual convention, AFN delegates passed a resolution in support of the effort. Alaska Native veterans who attended the convention were pleased with the vote.