A Ship Naming at National Museum of the American Indian

The naming of the Naval ship James D. Fairbanks at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Washington DC.

On February 21, I had the honor of an invitation to attend the naming of a naval ship to be built and named after James D. Fairbanks, a member of the White Earth Band of Chippewa. James was the brother of my mentor Paulette Fairbanks Molin, a longstanding friend, and my supervisor at the Indian Elementary Curriculum Project in Minneapolis during the late seventies.

When the ceremony began with an honor guard and a naval band, I had goosebumps. As I looked around at the at the White Earth flags of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and attendees encircled by the glorious setting of the architecture of NMAI, I could imagine the pride James’ family was feeling at that moment.

Gordon Henry, James’ nephew, led an invocation with song and drum in Anishinaabemowin. His daughter Kehli followed by smudging the speakers and audience with sage.

Approaching the National Museum of the American Indian. Nancy Kraus

The Honorable Secretary of the Navy, Carlos del Toro, announced the naming of the USNS James D. Fairbanks. He said that it was fitting to have the ceremony at NMAI because the museum recently created the first DC public monument marking contributions of Native Americans to the military.

Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro. Minnesota Public Radio

He cited the long history of serving, including Onondowaga Chief Ely S. Parker who achieved the rank of Brevet brigadier general in the US Army and wrote the terms of surrender that ended the Civil War. The Secretary also stated that Native Americans have always had the highest percentage of volunteers for the military and today there are 184,000 living Native veterans and 24,000 on active duty.

Museum with new Veteran’s Monument. Nancy Kraus

When Maria Marable Bunch, assistant director of the museum spoke, she said that the Veterans Memorial is just the beginning of the museum’s efforts to recognize Native veterans.

Why did James D. Fairbanks have a ship named after him? James achieved the highest enlisted rank in the Navy Seabees, Force Master Chief. He was the first Native American to achieve this. The Seabees provide military construction support to the Navy and Marines both in war and peace and are one of the most respected naval groups for their contributions to those fighting. Paulette told me that James dedicated his life to this work and the ship named after him will stand as proud evidence of his dedication. James was known to treat each member of the Seabees as part of his family, mentored many, and set high standards of excellence. He had a heart of gold and never liked to claim credit for what he did but instead credited the men and women who served with him.

I was impressed with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s words. Governor Walz evidenced an understanding of the challenges of the Minnesota Native peoples. and spoke about the continuous need for healing from past wrongs. He stated that the very stones quarried for NMAI’s walls were made from stone from Mankato, Minnesota, which was the site in 1862 of the infamous hanging of thirty-eight Dakota men and boys in the largest one-day mass execution in American history. He also said that White Earth Nation knows that stories, history, and traditions matter, and this honor matters. Peggy Flanagan, the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, a White Earth enrollee and currently the country’s highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office was also present.

Speakers, White Earth Tribal leaders and Lieutenant Governor. Photo Minnesota Public Radio

The tribal chairman of the White Earth Nation spoke, and said James was a warrior for our people and the United States and is a role model for our youth. All the White Earth tribal council members attended, demonstrating the honor this brought their nation. The current Force Master Chief of the Seabees, Lawrence Sharpe, who worked under James Fairbanks, also had positive words about James’ leadership and mentoring.

At the end of the ceremony, the Navy Seabees sang the Seabee Sea song, and the cake was ceremonially cut with a sword. You can see the photo with Paulette, a co-sponsor of the ship, doing the honors with the other co-sponsor, Susan Sharpe. Gordon Henry gave a benediction with drum and song in Anishinaabemowin. This was a very emotional time for the family and friends as they remembered James. I personally felt embraced by the family as if I was part of them. Even though I never met James, I could feel his positive spirit among all of us. As Gordon said, “His honor is the honor of us all.”

Cutting the Ceremonial Cake. Nancy Kraus