Soldiers Unknown

Abstract

Soldiers Unknown is a graphic novel based on real events that tells the story of three young, Yurok men who were drafted to World War I. The graphic novel tells the story that mainstream history intentionally leaves out– the role that Native peoples had in the military while Native people weren’t formally recognized as citizens of America. Another main point is how their connection to culture acted as a form of protection and source of healing for each character involved. Perhaps most importantly, this novel eloquently captures the power of storytelling. The novel starts off from a current point in time where the great-grandson of the main character, Charley, is told from a ceremonial leader that the plegokw, ceremonial blinder, was made by his great-grandfather, Charley, whom he was named after. This struck conversation between the ceremonial leader and the young man, thereby signifying the significance of transferring knowledge as a form of healing and understanding through storytelling. This story, told by the ceremonial leader, then transitions into a brilliant graphic novel talking about life before the draft featuring cultural activities, such as catching salmon with traditional dip-nets, engaging in stick games and the grinding of acorns. Realistically setting the stage for showing how harmonic and joyful life was before the World War I draft. All which offer cultural teachings of ways to understand the spiritual connection of people to the natural world. Upon the three boys’ departure, this graphic novel captures the pain, agony and sacrifice endured by all from the dialogue and the incredible art by Rahsan Ekedal. Between the dialogue and art, the historical accuracy and treatment of Native peoples in this novel are painful reminders of how settler colonialism has historically treated Native peoples. However, both did a great job capturing the strength, honor and courage maintained by the three Yurok men in intense combat. A particular instance captured how instrumental the characters heritage was to them to push through and persevere through a life and death situation. As a Native person, I felt this moment to be especially powerful because it shows the audience how vital their culture and community were to them even in those deathly moments. The artistic transition of life in combat to life returning to home was symbolic. Although the image of Charley laying on a bench in an aid station, where a Christian angel overlooked him, the following page displayed an image of a Yurok medicine woman overlooking him serving as a symbol that he found Soldiers Unknown Author: Chag Lowry and Artist: Rahsan Ekedal Pechanga, California, Great Oak Press, 2019 119 Pages; Price $29.95 Paperback