Removal of Tribal Flags from Phoenix Veterans’ Hospital Sparks Outrage
The flags of all 22 federally recognized tribal nations in Arizona have been removed from the Carl T. Hayden Phoenix Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Phoenix.
The flags were removed on March 18, without any notice or consultation to the tribes, and dropped off with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community where they put all flags on display temporarily before being entrusted to the office of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs.
“The Community is grateful that we had the opportunity to receive the tribal flags and to have them for the short time and we are thankful Governor Hobbs has agreed to take the flags to display them at the Arizona Capitol, a more prominent and appropriate place for them to be located,” said Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier.
All 22 flags are now on display in the Executive Tower rotunda at the State Capital.
“Arizona is proud of the Tribal Veterans who sacrificed for their country,” said Hobbs in a press release. “We should be recognizing their service, not disrespecting their heritage.
It’s my honor to display these flags at the Executive Tower, and I am grateful to all the Tribal leaders who have entrusted me with this responsibility. I will always support our Veterans, and vow to keep these flags safe until they can be returned to their rightful place at the VA hospital.”
Several tribal leaders, including Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, spoke out against the removal of the flags.
“This is deeply concerning because it ignores the long-standing recognition that Tribes and tribal membership is a political status, not racial classification,” said Gov. Lewis. “The Supreme Court has recognized the critical importance of this distinction and so should any policy from the federal government. What is particularly inappropriate is that the new policy apparently allows any political sovereign in the state of Arizona to have its flag displayed except an Indian tribe.”
Tribal members have a longstanding history of serving in the armed forces and at a higher per capita rate than any other group in the U.S. Both GRIC and SRPMIC are Purple Heart Communities, and 67 GRIC members have been awarded the Purple Heart for their bravery and sacrifice, including 23 who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“I urge the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reconsider this policy and take immediate action to restore the display of tribal flags at the Phoenix VA Hospital,” said Gov. Lewis. “An exemption should be granted for tribal flags, given the unique sovereign status of Federally recognized tribes and their profound contributions to our Nation’s military.”