As August 8 is approaching, Canada is about to commemorate the 80ᵉ anniversary of the end of the Second World War, marked by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It’s time to think not only about the battles that ended the conflict, but also those whose discreet service has contributed to victory. Among them were the ” code talkers », Cris code transmitters: unknown warriors whose language has become an indecipherable code in the fight against tyranny.
In the spring of 1942, a message was transmitted through the Canadian armed forces stationed in London: All the staff speaking an “Indian” language is requested to present themselves in such a place, at such a time.
One of those who answered the call was Charles Marvin Checker
Tomkinsa young Métis and cry from Grouard, Alberta. He enlisted with his brother Peter shortly after married in 1939. Six months later, they found themselves in England.
A document classified Top Secret in relation to the recruitment of Aboriginal soldiers for the code transmitters program.
Photo: screenshot of the short film Cree Code Talker, produced by NSI Indigidocs
When soldiers Cris arrived in the military hangar, they were greeted by Canadian and American officers. More than 600 indigenous soldiers were divided into linguistic groups; Ojibwés, Mohawks, Algonquins, Saulteaux, Salish and Cris. Everyone received a sheet containing military terms to translate in their language. Once the exercise is finished, the cry imposed itself as the language most suitable for military use. Thus were born the speakers of Cris code.
Checker would never have imagined that his mother tongue would become a weapon of war.
Robert Falcon Ouellette is an anthropologist from the nation shouts Red Pheasantin Saskatchewan. He specializes in the fields of indigenous education, military ethics and political science. He holds a doctorate and two master’s degrees from Laval University. He also served in the Canadian Armed Forces and was a federal liberal deputy for Winnipeg-Center from 2015 to 2019. He is now an associate professor at the Faculty of Education of the University of Ottawa.
Assigned to the 8ᵉ American air army, Checker was integrated into a secret mission. His team was responsible for developing a coded system using the screaming language to hide sensitive military communications. The orders concerning bombing, troop movements and air positions were transmitted to English, translated into a cry, then deciphered on the front lines, before being translated into English for commanders. The Germans could never decode these messages.
But the screaming language had not been designed for war. Code transmitters had to adapt their language by reusing existing words to describe modern war. A plane Spitfire became skot (fire). A Mustang became pakwatastim (Wild horse). And the bomber Mosquito? Sakimespahkisowa combination of Say (mosquito) and pahkisow (explosion).
An archive document for the recruitment of indigenous soldiers for the code transmitters program.
Photo: screenshot of the short film Cree Code Talker, produced by NSI Indigidocs
Despite their contributions, the Cris code talks were kept secrecy. Charles Tomkins never spoke of his role, neither to his friends, nor his family, nor his comrades soldiers. I didn’t know anything about the role he had played during the war
said his younger brother, James Smokey
Tomkinshimself a 22-year-old veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. He was very devoted to his country, to the point of keeping this war secret for more than 45 years.
It was not until 1992, watching the film Windtalkers With actor Adam Beach, Hollywood production on Navajos code talkers, that Charles finally revealed the truth to his brother. The rest of the family only learned his story two months before his death in 2003, when researchers from Smithsonian came the interviewer.
After the war, Checker had trouble finding work and re -engaged in the Canadian army. He served there for an additional 25 years, reaching the grade of corporal and occupying positions across the country in regiments such as Sherbrooke Fusiliers or the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He was buried with military honors in the cemetery Queen’s Park from Calgary.
A portrait of Charles “Checker” Tomkins when he was a member of the armed forces.
Photo: screenshot of the short film Cree Code Talker, produced by NSI Indigidocs
In 2016, director Alexandra Lazarowich, a distant cousin, and producer Cowboy Smithx finally brought her story to the public with the award -winning short film Cree Code Talker. It was a very late recognition for a man who had never sought light. He didn’t want to conduct the parade, recalls Smokey. He just wanted there to be a parade, to be able to watch him pass.
In the documentary Cree Code Talker, Charles Tomkins said: I like my country. I did everything I was asked.
But he also admitted, shortly before his death: I feel alone when I’m here. Too many memories of our youth. I don’t want to cry. All our loved ones left. All our friends. All.
This was the silent burden he wore. Not only that of war, but that of having been forgotten by the country he had served.
It’s time to remember them.
They wore the prayers of ancient warriors,
Faithful in silence, without ever claiming anything.
They did what we asked, without a future,
They remained faithful to their nation which forgot them.
