Native Americans — All Stories — More Than A Headstone

Requiem on the Prairie

Though he only lived a short twenty-three years, Harry S. Heaney’s life would take him far away from home, and eventually into one of the most lamentable events in the history of the American West – the massacre at Wounded Knee.

Distant WarsEsteban GomezNovember 6, 2020Ghost Dance, massacre, Wounded Knee, Native Americans, musician

A Native American Member of the Band of Brothers

United States veteran Earl Ervin McClung is remembered as an American Indian whose service during World War II was heroic and brave. As a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, McClung jumped into battle on D-Day, and landed behind enemy lines amidst gunfire both in the air and on the ground.

Obstacles & Opportunities, Love War & a SuitcaseJulianna BeckertOctober 20, 2019Native Americans, World War II, D-Day, 101st Airborne, Colville Indian Reservation, Civilian Conservation Corps-Indian Division, Easy Company, Band of Brothers

A Legacy of Service in Life and Death

A U.S. Marine from South Dakota, Brett Lee Lundstrom touched many people throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe. He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq but spent the majority of his service fighting for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Obstacles & Opportunities, Lifetime of ServiceJulianna BeckertOctober 20, 2019Native Americans, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Oglala Sioux tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation, Brett Lundstrom Scholarship for the Performing Arts, Iraq

Pivotal to U.S. Victory

Leuppe and the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers are remembered to this day as pivotal to the United States victory during the war. Leuppe was a hero to both his country and his family.

Obstacles & OpportunitiesJulianna BeckertOctober 17, 2019World War II, Native Americans, Navajo Code Talkers, G.I. Bill