Video contribution Xavier Smith & Science Foundation Arizona
Using their sacred language to send and receive information, the Navajo Code Talkers were instrumental in the success of every Marine assault in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 during the Second World War. These Code Talkers served in six divisions in the Marines, including parachute units and Raider Battalions, and were able to translate strategic information and orders to the troops in seconds; their coded message was unbreakable by the Japanese.
Today there is a new generation of Code Talkers emerging in the Navajo Nation inspired by their unsung heroes.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/sB9Bma74X94[/youtube]
At the Navajo Code Talker Day event in Window Rock, AZ, Intel pledged $250,000 over the next three years to Chinle High School, Monument Valley High School and a third Navajo Nation high school (TBD) to enhance computer science curriculum offerings, teacher development, increase student engagement as a part of the Code Writers Education Initiative.
Together the Science Foundation Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey, Senator John McCain and State Senator Carlyle Begay, along with the founding partners of Intel corporation and Cisco System, announced the new initiative to develop a technology-based education curriculum for Arizona’s Native Americans. The goal is for this program to be adopted by Native American tribes nationwide.
SFAz will be working closely with Intel to bridge the educational experience and has also partnered with other institutions, such as Northern Arizona University, Nova Corporation, to service the Native American community.
Watch our highlight video from the event.
Want to learn more? Here is a documentary on Navajo Code Talkers.
Contributions from Navajocodetalkers.org and Navajo Nation Government