Johnny Flynn: Indian Country irate over use of 'Geronimo'

Thursday, May 12, 2011  

"“Geronimo E-KIA.”

That’s the message from the Seal Team that raided the compound in Pakistan informing senior administration officials, including the president, that “Osama bin Laden,” an “Enemy,” had been “Killed in Action.”

But the use of Geronimo as the military code name for the architect of the 9/11 attack has ignited a firestorm of criticism from American Indians across the country.

Joseph Geronimo, a great-grandson of Geronimo, called it a “slap in the face” to the three generations of military veterans among the descendants of the Apache spiritual leader.

Jeff Houser, Chairman of the Fort Sill Apache tribe, the place where Geronimo lived and died after 23 years as a prisoner of America’s Indian wars, sent a letter to President Obama immediately after details of the code name controversy were revealed. He wrote:

Geronimo was a renowned Chiricahua Apache leader who personally fought to defend his people, territory and way of life. Unlike the coward Osama bin Laden, Geronimo faced his enemy in numerous battles and engagements. He is perhaps one of the greatest symbols of Native American resistance in the history of the United States.

What this action has done is forever link the name and memory of Geronimo to one of the most despicable enemies this Country has ever had."

Get the Story:
Johnny P. Flynn: American Indians Irate over Bin Laden Code Name “Geronimo” (Religion Dispatches 5/11)

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