Brummett Echohawk: Pawnee Thunderbird and Artist

by Kristin M. Youngbull

A true American hero who earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and a Congressional Gold Medal, Brummett Echohawk was also a Pawnee on the European battlefields of World War II. He used the Pawnee language and counted coup as his grandfather had done during the Indian wars of the previous century. This first book-length biography depicts Echohawk as a soldier, painter, writer, humorist, and actor profoundly shaped by his Pawnee heritage and a man who refused to be pigeonholed as an “Indian artist.”

Through his formative war service in the 45th Infantry Division (known as the Thunderbirds), Echohawk strove to prove himself both a patriot and a true Pawnee warrior. Pawnee history, culture, and spiritual belief inspired his courageous conduct and bolstered his confidence that he would return home. Echohawk’s career as an artist began with combat sketches published under such titles as “Death Shares a Ditch at Bloody Anzio.” His portraits of Allied and enemy soldiers, some of which appeared in the Detroit Free Press in 1944, included drawings of men from all over the world, among them British infantrymen, Gurkhas, and a Japanese American soldier.

After the war, without relying on the GI Bill, Echohawk studied at the Art Institute of Chicago for three years. His persistence paid off, leading to work as a staff artist for several Chicago newspapers. Echohawk was also a humorist whose prodigious output includes published cartoons and several parodies of famous paintings, such as a Mona Lisa wearing a headband, turquoise ring, and beaded necklace.

 Featuring eight of Echohawk’s paintings in full color, this thoroughly researched biography shows how one unusual man succeeded in American Indian and mainstream cultures. World War II aficionados will marvel at Echohawk’s military feats, and American art enthusiasts will appreciate a body of work characterized by deep historical research, an eye for beauty, and a unique ability to capture tribal humor.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2015

Reviews

[Morgan Sandner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Pawnee Native American, Brummett Echohawk throughout various phases of his life. Before the book gets to that it gives a short history of the treatment of Native Americans by the US colonizers and the treatment of Pawnee Native Americans by other communities. This background shows the importance of being a warrior in their community and recounts how his grandfather was given the warrior name "Echohawk" and how it was passed down as a surname.
When Echohawk joined the Army during WW2 he was assigned to the same battalion as his grandfather when he was a Pawnee Scout during the War of 1812, the 45th Infantry Division, or the Thunderbirds for their insignia. You follow him throughout various run-ins with German soldiers and 3 stays at the hospital before returning home where he pursues art starting with educating himself at SAIC.
Echohawk is a truly interesting man and I would suggest getting to know him.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get through this book but mostly because I wanted to remember the details. The introduction shared briefly some of the social difficulties that have faced American Indians (using the name the book uses). I need to read the intro a few more times.