Native American Contributions Restored on Pentagon’s Digital Platforms
The U.S. Department of Defense recently reversed its decision to remove content related to Native American contributions from its websites. This comes after a directive to eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) content, which led to the temporary disappearance of references to notable figures such as Lori Piestewa and Ira Hayes, both significant to Arizona’s history.
The reinstatement of this content was driven by advocacy from the Gila River Indian Community and Arizona’s congressional representatives. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Native American achievements separate from broader political directives. “Now, while this information should never have been removed,” said Lewis, “we worked every day to make sure that the accomplishment of Ira Hayes was not swept up in the policies that are distinct from our political status as Native Americans and sovereign tribal governments.”
In the wake of these changes, John Ullyot, who was in charge of the Pentagon’s press office, resigned. U.S. Army Major Wes Shinego, involved in restoring the content, remarked on the confusion surrounding the initial directive. He noted that under the new leadership of Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s spokesperson, the focus shifted to preserving historical narratives. Shinego stated, “If it’s heritage, if it’s history, if it’s a person, we want that content restored.”
The Pentagon’s renewed approach ensures that stories highlighting individual and community contributions remain accessible. This includes pieces centered on actions and sacrifices, while broader observance articles continue to be reviewed. Shinego added, “We want their actions, their sacrifice, to speak for them, and that’s something I could get behind. We pour our hearts and souls into these stories and often interview living service members. We don’t want to let them down.”
Lori Piestewa and Ira Hayes stand as prominent figures in this narrative, with Hayes recognized as one of the six Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima, a defining moment in World War II history.
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