Main Character
Who is Kii Yazhi?
The Narrator of Code Talker, also known as Ned Begay
What ceremony was performed to keep Ned and other Navajos safe from war?
The Blessingway ceremony
What is Navajo?
A Native American language
What is the main rule at the boarding school regarding the Navajo language?
Children could not speak Navajo
What does marginalization mean?
To be excluded or left out.
How old was Ned when he was sent to boarding school?
6 years old
What is the significance of pollen in Navajo tradition?
A fine powdery substance that is considered sacred to Navajos.
Why was the Navajo language used as code?
It was complex and difficult to learn
What physical item that was immediately cut off, bringing shame to the children?
Hair
What does sacred mean?
Holy or precious
What was Ned's goal when he was in high school?
He wanted to become a teacher
What is the significance of long hair in Navajo culture?
Having short hair is believed to bring misfortune/bad luck
Why was the code kept a secret?
So that the enemies could not know what what being said.
What was taken away from the children, sold, and never returned?
Clothing and jewelry
What does catastrophic mean?
A disastrous event
Why does Ned want to become a marine?
He wants to protect his land
How do Navajos introduce one another?
They must share their clans
What was a negative impact of war?
Battle fatigue
What was the name given to the white people by the Navajos?
Bilagaanna
What does traditions mean?
A system of beliefs of customs of a culture handed down from one generation to the next.
What does Ned learn about his culture from his wartime experience?
That his culture is valuable
What is the name for the traditional Navajo home?
Hogan
How does using the Navajo language as code during the war influence Ned and other Navajos?
It makes them feel proud and important
What would happen to children who spoke Navajo?
They were brutally beaten or had their mouth washed with soap
What does segregation mean?
To be seperated or isolated from others based on race, class or ethnic origin