Yesterday, our country paused for Veterans Day to recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. At 7 Generation Games, we extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans.
During Native American Heritage Month, it feels especially fitting to shine a light on the profound and often overlooked role American Indians have played in our nation’s military history.
Did you know that U.S. tribal members have served in the armed forces at a higher rate per capita than any other ethnic group? Native Americans have answered the call to serve in every major American conflict since the Revolutionary War- even before Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924. At 7 Generation Games, we are committed to ensuring these stories of resilience, leadership, and service are taught and remembered.
🕊️ In Loving Memory: Honoring Dr. Erich Longie
This year, our tribute carries a much deeper meaning as we want to honor the life, service, and legacy of our dear friend, Marine veteran, and founding Senior Cultural Consultant, Dr. Erich Longie.
Dr. Longie was an educator, a proud member of the Spirit Lake Nation, and a fierce advocate for preserving Dakota language and culture. Most importantly, he was a great friend. From the very beginning of 7 Generation Games, Erich guided and informed our team to ensure our games were culturally authentic, respectful, and rooted in real history. His wisdom, honesty, and dedication to empowering the next generation shaped who we are as a company today.
We are forever grateful for his service to his country, his community, and the countless students who continue to learn from his work and he is dearly missed.
Carrying on the Legacy: Empowering & Educating the Next Generation
We can all learn from Dr. Longie’s legacy of educating the next generation. Some ways to bring awareness to the Native military history could be exploring the stories of the Code Talkers during World Wars I and II or using online cultural resources like our blog archive with resources, lessons, and stories written by Indigenous educators- including essays from Dr. Longie himself on living your values and preserving heritage.
Ready-to-Go Lesson Plans:
Native American Veterans Research Project & Cross-curricular lesson on Native American vets
To all the veterans in our community and beyond, and to the families who support them, we want to thank you for your service.