Choctaw Code Talkers Honored in Fort Worth

0:00It's April 3rd. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. Fort Worth just unveiled a new historical marker, honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers, 19 Native American soldiers from World War I who trained. Right there, at Cambodia. These guys volunteer to fight for the U.S. before Native Americans even had citizenship using their Choctaw language to send unbreakable messages on the front lines in France. That marker at Veterans Memorial Park went up on April 1st, thanks to the Choctaw Nation, the Texas Historical Commission and the city's parks department. It's the first recognition like this in Texas for the group, considered the original Native Code Talkers who inspired the Navajo ones in World War II. Descendants showed up for the ceremony, including Nuchin Ashoba, President of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association, and great granddaughter of one of the soldiers. She called it a full circle moment that preserves their hidden story for future generations.

1:02Local leaders like Councilmember Macy Hill said it's perfect since the site is where they first walked the grounds. Nuchin Ashoba has spent 20 years pushing for this spotlight from a bronze sculpture at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Oklahoma to renaming 23 bridges after Native vets. Now they're eyeing more honors across Texas. Their legacy hits home for everyone, reminding us how cultural smarts and bravery won wars, and why keeping indigenous languages alive matters today.