Year round, the Coast Guard celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American and Alaskan Native communities. This month, celebrate together at this year’s Native American and Alaskan Native heritage event hosted at the Coast Guard Headquarters on Nov. 20, 2024 at 10 a.m. EST. This event will be livestreamed and recorded for later viewing for those unable to join in person.
For those in attendance, there will be sampling of Tribal foods prepared by the Head Quarters Flag Mess and a table display of Tribal artifacts hosted by USCG Historians. Moderated by CG-7's Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, this event will feature its first Q&A panel with three Tribal members. Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Stapleton will lead as the Master of Ceremonies.
Meet the Event Panelists:
Ms. Lynnae Tyler, CG-6
Ms. Lynnae Tyler was born on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Ronan, MT and her professional accomplishments as a GS-15 were the product of her diligence, work ethic, and intelligence stemming from her early GS/CIV career as a GS-06. She is of Quechan Tribe and Flathead Tribe lineages. Additionally, she is a direct descendant of the military hero, Ira Hayes, the United States Marine who was one of the six personnel who raised the American flag in Iwo Jima, Japan during World War II. Finally, she is a U.S. Air Force law enforcement veteran who was married for 23 years to a now departed USCG member.
Lt. Justin Townsend, USCG Crypto Unit
Lt. Justin Townsend has been awarded the 2024 Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) award at a ceremony in Spokane, Washington. The SAIGE Military Meritorious Award recognizes those who serve in uniform (or have previously served) who have contributed beyond the mission while promoting American Indian and/or Alaskan Native culture. Townsend assumed the duties of Executive Officer of the Coast Guard’s Cryptologic Unit in Colorado in June of 2021 while serving as Deputy Chief of a joint service mission at National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) Colorado (NSAC). He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and plays rugby for a local club, coaches youth rugby, and was selected to play on the Coast Guard’s Rugby team in 2023.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Corylee Redhorse, Recruiting Office Los Angeles
Petty Officer Corylee Redhorse represents the Diné Indian Tribe of Navajo Nation. He uses his free time teaching the Native youth community traditional dances and helping tribal members seeking to obtain permits from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the complex application process. He is honored with SAIGE Military Meritorious Service Award for epitomizing the core values of the Coast Guard and promoting inclusion of Native Americans in government service. He organized a Native American Heritage Month event at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach, where he coordinated with 13 tribes from seven different states to share their stories, customs, and rituals.
The panelist members and Chief Petty Officer Lisa Pique have created collections of multimedia artifacts featuring photos related to their families and stories of their personal journey in the US Armed Forces. To view these artifacts, head over to the Event SharePoint page where they will be featured following the event.
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