Every Warrior Has His Own Song
by
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Missionaries who taught in Indian schools had no comprehension of the complexity and sophisitication of the traditional native educational, social and cultural systems. Their regligious zeal to spread Christianity among the Indians and their condescending attitudes prohibited the missionaries from understanding why their goals were stymied and why Indian studnets cllung to their cultural and spiritual values with such tenacity. Most missionaries harbored deep predudices against Indians; this led their Indian students to return to their people where they would not be scorned. Spring was a time to enjoy life. There was good hunting, good fishing and it was when the planting was done. For ten-year-old, Louis it was a time for learning. Louis was told that maybe this year he would have to go to the white man's school. "What do they teach at the whitge mans's school that I don't already know?" he asked. Louis was not looking forward to going to school. His mother told him that they would reach him how to read and write, and that this was important for the Indians to know in the future. "There's a place they call the Mission Day School." she explained, "It's in a big building." Louis didn't like this white man's school already, and he hadn't even seen it yet. How could they think of sending their own child away every day? Why, he asked his father, was he being sent to this white man's school? "Times are changing for the Ho-Chunks," William explained. "We will have to learn how to live like them. Already we farm like them. We eat their food and use their blankets. Son, don't look at this as punishment; it's just the way it is. Besides, the school is on the reservation a few miles from here; it's not like it's in the Dakotas. I know what it's like to be away from your family. When I was a scout I would miss my home and my wife, but I knew that what we were doing was for the good of the tribe. We all agreed to help the army so we wouldn't be pushed around. We must learn the white man's ways or we will disappear like the buffalo. We must set the example now so our children's children will know-even seven generations of Ho-Chunks will know that we must live with the man."
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About the Book
When the worthless treaties were signed and it was time to move the Ho-Chunk/Winnebago nation, the people took only what they could carry on their backs. There isn’t a person alive today who can describe the atrocities, hardships, and deprivation their ancestors faced while being moved from their land to a strange place, unable to travel or live where their ancestors were buried. No longer could they provide food and lodging for their families; they had to depend on the government for monthly rations of food, blankets, and medical attention. Every Warrior Has His Own Song explores the history and culture of the Winnebago and Ho-Chunk peoples, as well as the personal history of the family of author Alan B. Walker. Patriotic and fiercely loyal to this country and the land of their ancestors, they show respect to the returning veterans of any war. As Walker grew older, he knew that he wanted to be a warrior and wondered if he had the right stuff; in the course of his exploration of his people’s culture, he also tells the story of his service in Vietnam. Every Warrior Has His Own Song touches on the history and modern life of the Ho- Chunk/Winnebago nation as well as the story of the Hatchett family, telling a timeless and relevant tale of bravery.
It is an amazing read. I had a hard time putting it down. I believe this book should be a part of every high schools history teachings. It angered me to see what the U.S. Government has done over and over to these Native American Indians. Why have a treaty if you're not going to stand behind it? I was also amazed by the courage of this writer. His service to this country, like his Grandfathers is one of pride and courage. I'm amazed and glad that Alan B. Walker lived through the Vietnam war so that his story and that of his people could be told. -Aron
About the Author
Alan B. Walker was born and raised on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska. His father was an Omaha Indian, and his mother was Winifred P. Hatchett, a granddaughter of William Hatchett, one of the original seventy-five braves who volunteered to scout for the U.S. Army in 1863.