From the fallen towers at the World Trade Center to the tallest buildings in the U.S., Indian men have been walking the irons for decades.

Mohawks from Canada and New York were hired to build the first skyscrapers in New York City. Among other project, they worked on the Empire State and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which was the longest bridge in the world at the time of its opening in 1964.

Now, embers of other tribes, including some women, are carrying on the ironworking tradition. Some receive training from the National Ironworkers Training Program for American Indians in Chicago.

Get the Story:
Native Americans take pride in working on high iron (Gannett News Service 8/1)

Relevant Links:
National Ironworkers Training Program for American Indians - http://www.ironworkers.org/content/content.php?content_id=19