Ira Hayes Quotes

“I do not want to give a wrong impression. There is good beside the bad on the res. Nature is beautiful, and there is bravery in the face of adversity. There is goodness and people helping each other, poor people sharing what they have with those who have even less. We have stouthearted women and great powwows, songs and ceremonies. We have our sacred medicine and eagles are still flying over the sandhills. But drinking is a great problem. I would like to dedicate this chapter to the Pima Indian Ira Hayes, hero of Iwo jima, holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor, who, being drunk, drowned in a ditch. He was one more victim of a country that has no use for its heroes if they happen to be Native Americans.”
― Mary Brave Bird, Ohitika Woman