Look What is in the Works and Coming Out Next Year!
Here is how you can be a part of this remarkable story:
Any donation, no matter how small, will help make this Legacy Statue become a reality. Questions? Contact me(karen@karenlynnwilliams) or Teddy Draper Jr. or Sara Sinclair. Information below.
LET’S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
Navajo Language and Code Talker’s Legacy Sculpture
Language is rooted in culture, and culture rooted in language. Within the 21st century, Americans have simultaneously forced assimilation while idolizing Native American cultures. The pressures to assimilate have nearly wiped out an entire language in four short generations and have deeply affected the culture and way of life for the Navajo people.
During World War II, the Navajo language was used as a code to communicate sensitive information across enemy lines. The Navajo soldiers were able to take advantage of the nuances and subtleties of the language to create a masterful code that remained elusive well after the war.
The declassification of the code allowed for a renewed interest in the language in an era where young people were being shuttled to boarding schools and removed from their culture. Teddy Draper Sr, a former codetalker, used his experiences to create and teach the first Navajo language courses at Navajo Community College (now Diné College). His commitment to the preservation of language and the culture of his people are what have led us to this project.
Teddy Sr, now an elder of 96 years, has seen his courses flourish into an associates degree program and lives to see a revival in which young people are seeking out their roots and culture through language.
We are raising money to create a bronze sculpture of the Navajo Codetalkers to honor the legacy of the language in both Navajo and American history. The sculpture will be created by the talented Jeff Wolf and placed on the Navajo Nation reservation at either Diné College or Navajo Technical University so that students and community members can easily access it.
Details:
Language is rooted in culture, and culture rooted in language. Within the 21st century, Americans have simultaneously forced assimilation while idolizing Native American cultures. The pressures to assimilate have nearly wiped out an entire language in four short generations and have deeply affected the culture and way of life for the Navajo people.
During World War II, the Navajo language was used as a code to communicate sensitive information across enemy lines. The Navajo soldiers were able to take advantage of the nuances and subtleties of the language to create a masterful code that remained elusive well after the war.
The declassification of the code allowed for a renewed interest in the language in an era where young people were being shuttled to boarding schools and removed from their culture. Teddy Draper Sr, a former codetalker, used his experiences to create and teach the first Navajo language courses at Navajo Community College (now Diné College). His commitment to the preservation of language and the culture of his people are what have led us to this project.
Teddy Sr, now an elder of 96 years, has seen his courses flourish into an associates degree program and lives to see a revival in which young people are seeking out their roots and culture through language.
We are raising money to create a bronze sculpture of the Navajo Codetalkers to honor the legacy of the language in both Navajo and American history. The sculpture will be created by the talented Jeff Wolf and placed on the Navajo Nation reservation at either Diné College or Navajo Technical University so that students and community members can easily access it.
Details:
- The sculpture will be life size, approximately 6-7ft tall.
- From the completion of fund raising, we anticipate the process to take 6mo. This
includes sculpting, molding, casting and delivery. - The total estimated cost is $67,000.
- To donate – please contact Teddy Draper Jr (dechelly2000@yahoo.com) or Sara Sinclair
(sarahideko@gmail.com)
