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ihe JNavajo Marines, whose unique contribution remained a secret until 1 968, are photographed before hogans and corrals with memoirs of the service that has brought them dignity.Now 44 years after World War II, Kawano says he is learning a great deal from the Nava-jos who used their own language to communicate military messages in code.Their shoes are always shined, their pants always pressed, Kawano said of the Codetalkers. Some were only 15 or 16 when they went to war, many had no idea what it meant, that they may be killed.Kawano became an honorary member of the Navajo Codetalkers in 1982 and as their official photographer traveled with their association to San Diego and Washington, D.C.As the men recalled the codebase in his native country.While visiting the Navajo Nation in 1974, he lived with Navajo families in Fort Defiance and Ganado, where he met Ruth Williams, of Steamboat in 1976, whom he later married.I didn't speak any English or any Navajo. Everyday was so exciting, I hitch-hiked. Hitchhiking was great, a good practice tor English, Kenji said of his early days on the reservation.Kawano, now married and the father of Japanese-Navajo daughter Sakura, 6, whose name means Chernr Blossom, said he takes a different approach to photographing Navajos than visiting photographers.I try to reach out, human being to human being, he said. Being Japanese helps. 1 don't have to introduce myself. They just say, 'You're the Kenji,' and IPreregistration scheduled for Kayenta Preschool, May 1-12KAYENTA — Preregistration daytime and evening hours to for the Kayenta Unified School accommodate at-nome and
Newspaper Details
Navajo Times
Window Rock, Arizona, US
Thu, Apr 27, 1989
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Canton S.
OK, USA 06 Nov 2019
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