Monument

Help us make this project a reality. This monument will honor all Indigenous Veterans within the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery. We plan to utilize local Native American masons to create the arch and plinth (base) that surrounds the engraved stone marker. The goal is to include all represented tribal nations reflecting the veterans as well as include veterans' names on the pavers.

Be part of history and honor Indigenous Veterans of Turtle Island!

Testimonials

"I am a Trauma Therapist who treats First Responders/Military with PTSD and I have American Indian heritage. This is important to me. Many thanks for this opportunity and I wish you Godspeed in your efforts."

-Bonnie C. Rumilly, A Greater Me, LLC


"I would love to see a Native American Veteran’s Monument at RI Memorial Cemetery especially since my Dad, Brothers and many other family members (Men & Women) will be honored this way."

-Lorraine Keyes


"Important cause"

-Victoria Bezoenik


"In honor of my Brother William I. Jennings, Uncle Warren Boyd Jr., Cousin Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson & My Pocasset Pokanoket, Montauk-Shinnecock, Narragansett and Pequot Veteran family members."

-David Grey Owl Jennings


"It's a great cause and it’s about time the Indigenous are recognized. "

-Carol Stedman


"Long overdue honor for these veterans."

-Cynthia Toti


"Truth-telling of Indigenous experiences through monuments, textbooks, and storytelling removes the possibility of more paper genocide and white-facing narratives where Indigenous Peoples are often ignored or erased."

-Jacklyn Janeksela


"There needs to be a monument to honor the indigenous servicemen/women who have served this country honorably."

-Kyle Doran


"This is our tribe! And our clan symbol! "

-Veronica Horal


"This is such an important memorial! Thank you for fundraising for it!"

-Colleen Crotteau

"Because we have to support our own people and I have family in the cause"

-Toni Weeden


"Doing this on behalf of my son Josh: ‘It is important for people around me to know about Indigenous People. They were here before anyone else and lived through the wars.’"

-Elena Koulidobrova and Josh Santana Gonzalez


"Honoring our Native Heroes "

-Pearl Brown


"I am indigenous and a veteran."

-Ramona Mcneal


"Beautiful Tshirt design and an important project to honor Indigenous veterans!"

-Matthew Castaldi

"This is such an important memorial! Thank you for fundraising for it!"

-Colleen Crotteau


"This monument will be in the cemetery where my father is buried. It will be a beautiful memorial for him and others from our tribal communities to be honored for their service."

-Silvermoon LaRose


"To honor indigenous veterans."

-Dan Johnsen


"It’s time!"

-Mishki Thompson


"To recognize the contribution of Native Americans who live on the land currently known as Rhode Island."

-Michael G Henry

Poem:

"songs gone

after centuries

things

change

looking to find

right words

for sorrow

Cecelia Estrada Vaughan

Chahta ohoyo"

-Cecelia E. Vaughan