* Trigger warning

Whether looking at historical accounts or modern situations, it is very clear that violence against native women is exacerbated and perpetuated by the military. The very first accounts of contact between Europeans and Turtle Island natives, as accounted by shipmates of Columbus; Michele de Cueno, demonstrate this sexual violence and kidnapping.

“When I was in the boat, I captured a very beautiful Carib woman…Having brought her into my cabin, and she being naked as is their custom, I conceived desire to take my pleasure. I wanted to put my desire to execution, but she was unwilling for me to do so, and treated me with her nails in such wise that I would have preferred never to have begun. But seeing this…I took a rope-end and thrashed her well, following which she produced such screaming and wailing as would cause you not to believe your ears. Finally we reached an agreement such that, I can tell you, she seemed to have been raised in a veritable school of Harlots” – Columbus shipmate, Michele de Cuneo – ”

Additionally, there are demonstrations of this violence hidden within the American revisionist stories of Matoaka, Pocahontas. Taking a look at the actual accounts reveals the truth. At around the age of 16, during the first Anglo-Powhatan war, Pocahontas was tricked into boarding Captain Argalls ship and was then held captive for a year at Henricus in Chesterfield County, Virginia. According to native oral traditions, she was sexual assaulted while being a prisoner. Around this time, and after the refusal of the British to return her to her people, she married John Rolfe and was taken to London where she was paraded around to increase profits and investments for Jamestown. She died at 21 of unknown causes and was buried in St George’s church, Gravesend. There are countless other stories demonstrating the violence and exploitation of indigenous women’s bodies by the military.

The military continued this legacy of sexual violence throughout the forced opening of brothels in Pearl Harbor which once again targeted indigenous women. These brothels were employed by military men and there was such a demand that it was here where the term “three minute men” was created as men were placed naked in assembly lines and given 3 mins of attention for 3 dollars (Beth Bailey and David Farber (1992). “Hotel Street:Prostitution and the Politics of War” (PDF). Furthermore, the military legacy of Clark Air Base, during the 80s and 90s, in the Philippines has been one of female dehumanization and violence. The statistics are staggering: 55000-60000 women and girls in prostitution, 70% entered as minors, rampant STIs, rape, abuse, and drug use. 

The tie between mmiwg and sexual trafficking or violence is that there is a high demand for prostitution and an unequal supply. As such is the case, many missing indigenous women and girls become caught up in this web of exploitation and violence. It is very clear that violence upon native women has not only historically been exacerbated by the military, but currently is as well. Many were impacted and have been made aware of violence on military bases through the terrible story of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, but there are many other stories such as Pfc. Asia M. Graham who was found dead in her barracks at fort bliss or Sgt. Jessica Mitchell who was shot to death in San Antonio, Army Capt. Alexis E. Graff was found unresponsive on Fort Sam Houston, and 29-year-old Andreen McDonald who was murdered by her Air Force Officer husband. All of these cases occurred within the past 2 years.

Additionally, we know that the statistics for domestic violence are not released by the military at Fort Sam. Yet, if we take a look at the surrounding area, we can see the highest zip codes where domestic violence cases occur is around Fort Sam Houston (https://ccdv.org/the-data/). Along with increasing rates of domestic violence in comparison to the previous years “Bexar County rate for women murdered by IPV was 2.8, well above the overall Texas rate.”(https://ccdv.org/the-data/). Furthermore, Lackland air force base was involved in a massive sexual abuse scandal where 43 females were victimized by their trainers (Woodward, Margaret (Aug 22, 2012). “Developing America’s Airmen: A Review of Air Force Enlisted Training” (PDF). www.AF.Mil. Retrieved 26 May 2013). A quote for the report states;”32 instructors have either been found guilty, have been charged with, or are still being investigated for crimes against 59 trainees (A REVIEW OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY BASIC TRAINING INSTRUCTORS AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE).

All of these cases demonstrate a complete lack of regard to women and a violence that is perpetuated by the military. The military and their bases act as catalysts and purveyors of a rampant toxic masculinity and national imperialism that degrades the land and is beyond destructive to native women and their bodies. To this regard, it should be demonstrated that this post is a failure. Its authorship is a failure. The institution that publishes it has failed. We have failed to adequately represent the oppression occurring to native women. We fail in adequately demonstrating historical violence. We have failed in our collection and demonstration of statistics regarding contemporary and modern violence. This post is a failure as our society is a failure to native women whose voices regarding the destruction placed upon them by militarism is silenced and erased. We haven’t done enough and we aren’t currently doing enough. Ultimately it is true that the burden lies on these systems of which we must exist and of which are the main perpetrators and who hold all the power. Yet, this is a call to remember Tagū, to reflect on our inadequacies, to do more, to join in the fight. AITSCM’s approach is that in order to truly combat these things we must seek analysis and combat the trauma. We must find the truth of the history of damage that has occurred to native women, girls, and 2 spirit Nonbinary people by the U.S. Military.