Doug Cuthand: Use of 'Geronimo' codename a poor choice

Friday, May 13, 2011  

"The Navy Seals may have killed Osama bin Laden, but Native Americans have roundly condemned the use of Geronimo as the code name for the operation.

Geronimo was an Apache chief who fought to retain his tribe's homeland against the United States military. For this he has been branded a rebel, and his name has become synonymous with resistance and rebellion.

The conquest of the West has been overromanticized, and generations of Americans have been raised demonizing the Indians.

In fact, after 18 months on the run from the U.S. and Mexican armies, Chief Geronimo signed a treaty in anticipation of receiving land in the headwaters of the Gila River.

He and members of his tribe instead were uprooted and transported to Florida and, later, Alabama."

Get the Story:
Doug Cuthand: Bin Laden mission code name poor choice (The Saskaton StarPhoenix 5/13)

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