The novel, Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac demonstrates how the Navajo culture and language helped save many lives in World War II. Throughout the entire novel, the main character Ned goes through many experiences. The Navajo Indians influenced and changed how World War II was fought. Many of the decisions Ned made in the novel helped many Americans that were fighting against the Japanese. Ned was forced to go to boarding school which was harsh and challenging to get used to, and he was also forced to go to boot camp, Camp Elliot. Ned chose to join the U.S Marines, and he thought of it as a way to put his native language to good use. The Navajo language was appreciated in the war as it saved many of the marines' lives. There are many experiences that Ned Begay went through during his life that showcased how his courage, integrity, and bravery helped him during World War II. These traits ultimately came from his Navajo culture and customs that he had learned as a child.
As a younger child, Ned was taken away from his family and home to go to boarding school where he was not allowed to speak his language. From 1880-1902, Native American children were forced to go to boarding school. The teachers and staff of these boarding schools had a saying, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man." The boarding schools were forced upon the Native American children so that they could be "Christianized" and "tamed". Ned was to learn the 'American' way of living. The teachers at the boarding school were very cruel to the students and punished them for speaking their Navajo language or using it in any way. The punishments consisted of public humiliation for example dunce hats and washing the students' mouth's out with soap. The Navajo language is something that has already been imbedded into the student's heads, and for them to learn the 'American' way was challenging and something they had to get used to. The student's culture made it hard for them to live in the