Over the last decade, we have all been re-introduced to the Vietnam War through such movies as Platoon and a variety of television series which includes Tour of Duty. Until recently a few important and needed educational documentaries have been done on the subject of Indian Veterans and the Vietnam War.

Evenly important is the contribution of literature by Dr. Tony Holm. He is a teacher of American Indian studies at the University of Arizona, who has been active with American Indian Vietnam Veterans.

It was his work on Indians in the Vietnam War that sparked for me a strong and deep interest. Mr. Holm based one of his articles around the efforts of Harold Barse, a Kiowa-Wichita-Sioux Indian and a veteran of the Vietnam conflict.

Harold joined the Oklahoma City Vet Centre as a counselor in 1980 and immediately noticed the literal absence of Indian clients in the centre. He eventually discovered from the many Indian vets that they were not comfortable in the centre because its programs were unable to meet their unique needs.

It became evident that the Indian vets experienced some different readjustment problems. Barse began a quest to unite Indian Veterans of the Vietnam Era.

In 1981, he set up a powwow in Anandarko, Oklahoma. The turn out was extraordinary and so began the Vietnam Era Veterans Intertribal Association which has mushroomed to the national level. It is now one of the largest Indian Veterans organization in the United States. As a result, Indian Veterans needs are now being dealt with through traditional tribal ideas and therapy.

The Vietnam conflict was the United States' most controversial war. Unlike Veterans of other wars, Vietnam Veterans did not receive a welcome home reception. Barse believes that powwows provide unique therapy for the Native Vietnam Vets.

People stand during grand entry at a powwow to honour the Veterans , their modern day warriors. Barse relates the experience at one of the national powwows, "Imagine the effect on you as an Indian Veterans when 5 000 people arise to honour you for your military service. They're all standing to honour you as a warrior. It's powerful. It's moving. To me, it's mighty good therapy".

Approximately 90% of the 86 000 Native Americans voluntarily enlisted for the Vietnam War of which 43 000 saw combat duty and some 300 were killed in action. The contribution made by the American Indians and including those from Canada is phenomenal.

Their contribution is the highest record of service per capita of any ethnic group.

On a recent episode of the television series "China Beach", I was delighted to see a former acquaintance of mine. Gary Farmer is a Mohawk actor originally from the Six Nations Reserve who has since moved on to the Hollywood scene. He acted as Chimo on the "Spirit Bay" series and he has also been featured in a variety of movies that include "Police Academy" and "Powwow Highway". On "China Beach", Farmer acts as a Native Vietnam soldier named Dreamwalker. As Dreamwalker, he takes a few of his comrades on a spiritual journey to come to terms with their personal conflicts and with the war itself. The theme of the episode brought to light some of the Native tribal ceremonies and philosophies common to many of the Indian soldiers and veterans.

For those who wish to understand the Vietnam War from a Native experience and perspective, it would be worthwhile to view two documentaries on the subject. Both videos are entitled, "Warriors". One is 60 minutes and the other is 28 minutes. "Warriors" (60 minute version) features the 1985 Vietnam Era Veterans Intertribal Association Powwow in Sisseton, South Dakota and the personal experiences of four Indian Veterans.

The video seriously explores the thoughts and feelings of the Native Vietnam Vets who use traditional ways to come to grips with their lives and time in Vietnam.

The 28 minute video is a collaboration of Bob Bartoo, a playwright, and Phillip Maracle. Phillip is a Six Nations Mohawk who served two tours of duty in Vietnam with Marine Corps. "Warriors" does not attempt to glorify war of use themes that stereotype Indians as war-like. Instead the video deals with the emotion and pain experienced by the Vietnam vets. It highlights the military heritage of Indian people and leads up to the Native Vietnam Veterans who are the contemporary Indian warriors.

Maracle said in an article that, "the public has a very narrow view of the Vietnam Veteran. Why think he's crazy. They only see the negative happenings of the war". Through the eyes of Phillip Maracle, the video brings home two of his cousins who were killed in action. He reminisces about the two men, Sgt. Gregory Bomberry and Cpl. Leslie General. General was also from the Six Nations Reserve. In June 1966, he enlisted with the Marines and died in combat duty on May 8, 1968. Bomberry was with the 101st Airborne and was killed in action on September 6, 1968. He was 21 years old and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.

A doctor who deals with Vietnam veterans believes the video will be beneficial for the Native Vietnam Veterans. It could help them come to terms with repression and denial of their feelings.

Other examples of media include a dramatic play entitled, "Dustoff". It also dealt with the theme of the Indian experience in Vietnam. Dustoff was written by Bruce King, an Oneida from Wisconsin and himself a Vietnam vet.

"Hell's Half Acre" is one of the most powerful songs ever created about the Indian Vietnam experience. It was written and recorded by Robbie Robertson on his 1987 debut album. The song is also unique because it was written from a Native perspective (incidentally, Robbies mother is a Mohawk originally from the Six Nations Reserve). Many music lovers may remember Robertson years ago with the group, "The Band".

Tom Holm through his research on Native military history concluded that Native tribal ceremonies and values serve a vital therapeutic function. Holm and Barse both believe this has been the success in reaching the Indian Veterans and meeting their needs.

Holm made the following synopsis, "participation in battle is looked upon as something that has been forced upon the tribe and the individual. Because veterans have been to war, it is believed that they should not only be honoured, but also purged of the taint of battle and restored to a harmonious place within the community".