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Honoring Native Veterans

   By Joshua Arce

A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Community

When Julie Two Eagle, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, turned 18, people began asking her the question every young adult hears: “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?”

“I felt like I didn’t have enough experience to answer that,” she said. “But I had a family full of veterans who always had good experiences, and I liked who they were. They were influential in our community and they were go-getters. I looked up to them.”

Wanting to follow in their footsteps, Julie joined the U.S. Army at 21 years old. What began as a way to find direction became a journey that deepened her sense of purpose and identity.

Each November, when the nation pauses to honor those who have served, it’s important to remember that Native Americans like Julie have long answered the call to defend this land. Per capita, Indigenous Americans enlist in the U.S. military more than any other group.

For many Native veterans, military service is a continuation of ancestral duty — a way to defend not only a country but a way of life. From the heroic Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, who used their language to transmit unbreakable messages, to modern-day service members in every branch of the military, Native Americans have long stood as guardians of their land.

Warriors as Defenders

In many Tribal cultures, to be a warrior is not only to fight but to protect — to defend the well-being of one’s people, community, and land.

Julie said this concept resonated with her. “Our history and culture teach us the protection of people,” she said. “Yes, there was some negative history, but collectively, we’ve moved forward. We realized we have to set aside our differences and work together to protect our land.”

That unity of purpose defines Native American veterans who continue to serve even after leaving the military. Many, like Julie, carry that same sense of duty into civilian life — working as first responders, educators, and Tribal leaders who strengthen their communities every day.

The Meaning of Service

For Native veterans, the decision to serve can be deeply complex. Many reconcile the tension between their identity as Indigenous people and their service to a nation that has historically oppressed Native communities.

“There’s a population that thinks it’s like working for the ‘enemy military,’” Julie said. “That’s still very alive. But how my family raised us, we just have to move forward. Our ancestors made decisions for the longevity of our people, and we’ve repaid that with our soldiers, like the Sioux Nation code talkers. I didn’t lose my culture going in. It strengthened my beliefs because everyone I encountered respected and appreciated my culture.”

Coming Home: Strength Amid Challenges:

After returning home to Porcupine, South Dakota, Julie saw firsthand the realities many Native veterans face. “Where I come from, it’s about 87% unemployment,” she said. “Finding a job was hard. Coming from a structured work environment back to a poverty environment was a bit of a shock. But overall, our tribe respects service members. Even negativity teaches you and makes you stronger.”

Access to healthcare, housing, and employment remains difficult for many Native veterans across Indian Country. Fragmented services between the VA and Indian Health Service can leave gaps in care, while remote reservation communities often lack job opportunities or adequate housing — both challenges that Julie finds most pressing among Native veterans.

However, Native veterans continue to endure in the face of these challenges. Encouragingly, progress is being made — with programs like the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) and Tribal HUD-VASH helping create stronger pathways to stability and homeownership.

PWNA: Honoring Service Through Action

Today, Julie runs the Porcupine Social Nutrition Center. Working alongside Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) as a program partner,  she continues her service by working to end food insecurity and foster connections among Elders in her community.

“Between my military experience and partnerships like PWNA, I love my job,” she said. “Any time there’s an opportunity for PWNA services, I apply. We’ve had Emergency Food, Winter Emergency Boxes, Thanksgiving Elder dinners, and we’ve done Elder Gift Bags. Everyone loves them, and they look forward to them. These things help improve the quality of life and make life easier.”

At PWNA, we believe that supporting veterans begins with strengthening the communities they come home to. That’s why our programs invest in food security, emergency relief, education, and health and wellness — helping ensure that Native veterans and their families have the resources they need to thrive.

PWNA works directly with Tribal leaders, community partners, and local volunteers to deliver critical services where they’re needed most. Whether through delivering food boxes to Elders, supporting education programs for Native youth, or helping communities prepare for emergencies, our work reflects the same spirit of service that Native veterans embody.

Support Veterans by becoming more #NativeAware

On this Veterans Day, we honor every Native veteran, like Julie, who has worn the uniform and every community that has stood behind them. Their legacy reminds us that true service does not end when the battle is over. It evolves from defending the land to rebuilding it, from protecting the people to empowering them.

Here are a few ways you can become more #NativeAware and honor and support Native American veterans:

  • Learn about Native military history, including the stories of Code Talkers and Tribal warrior traditions.
  • Support Native veteran organizations and community-based programs.
  • Advocate for improved access to healthcare, housing, and services for Native veterans.
  • Attend local Veterans Day events hosted by Tribal Nations or Native-led organizations.
  • Listen to and share Native veteran stories to help preserve their legacy.

Together with our partners and supporters, PWNA is proud to walk beside Native veterans, honoring the past, strengthening today, and shaping a brighter tomorrow.