Poster from the Veterans Exhibit at the Metlakatla Health Centre.
Veterans of their own homeland
Many Alaska Native men in the US military served right in Alaska. Oral histories with Native elders indicate that Native people in the service protected their home communities. Stories from veterans illustrate how quickly the US militarized the Alaskan landscape with airfields, roads, bases, and the influx of servicemen from across the continental US. Some elders, like Conrad Ryan Sr. (pictured left and featured below), spoke about serving in the military on the Aleutian Island of Adak.
Conrad standing in front of the WWII era hanger on Annette Island. Photo by Holly Guise, 2018.
Conrad Ryan Sr. (Tsimshian) was born in 1924 and he is from Metlakatla. During WWII, he served in the Army on Adak in the Aleutian Islands. In this video, Conrad speaks about US military infrastructure that contaminated water on Annette Island. He visits WWII historic sites and he also identifies traditional fishing spots at Point Davidson. At the end of this video, Conrad visits the Ward Lake CCC Camp. This was a relocation camp site for the Unangax̂ from 1942-1945.
Al at his home on the Chena River showing the type of ivory bracelets he used to carve as souvenirs for other G.I.s. Photo by Holly Guise, 2017.
Alfred “Al” Wright (Athabascan) was born in 1925. He is from Tanana Crossing, Nenana, and Minto. Here, Al discusses his involvement in the war effort in Alaska. He tells stories about his father Arthur Wright who grew up during the Klondike Gold Rush, and his mother Myrtle who traveled to Alaska as a nurse. As a teenager, Al worked in defense construction on the Alaska Highway. He quit his job to join the Army. He was stationed in Whittier and Atka in the Aleutian Islands. Al used the G.I. Bill to become a pilot. He ran aviation businesses in Alaska and Hawaii. Rest In Peace- Al passed away in 2022.
Louis at lunch at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. Interview arranged by staff member Bob Montague. Photo by Holly Guise, 2017.
Louis Palmer was born in 1920 in Oregon. He is from San Diego and he found his way to Alaska as a carpenter expanding military infrastructure. Here, he speaks about working in defense construction on the Aleutian Islands just before he joined the Navy SeaBees. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in Hawaii. His interview includes historic photographs generously shared by his son Bruce Palmer. Rest in Peace- Louis passed away in 2021.
Arnold with Karen Thompson at his daughter Roxee Commack’s house in Metlakatla. Photo by Holly Guise, 2015.
Arnold Glenn Booth (Tsimshian and mother also Tlingit) was born in 1919 and he is from Metlakatla. When he served in the US Army, he was stationed in Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the Philippines. In this video from 2008, Arnold talks about racial segregation in Alaska. This included assimilationist education for Native students and discrimination that he encountered at Alaskan businesses. In this interview, Arnold recalls: “There were signs, ‘No Indians Allowed,’ or ‘No Dogs and Indians Allowed.’” Rest in power- Arnold passed away in 2016.