Indians still honor treaties

Grandfather's actions, stories inspire Madison professor's documentaryThe program, which debuted nationally on WPNE, Channel 38, last week, also explores the question of why large percentages of Native Americans have not only served in the military, but enlisted. For many, it's a strong sense of honor to deeply held beliefs.

For example, she said, a veteran told her about his tribe signing a "peace and friendship" treaty with the U.S. government in 1827 in which his tribe promised to come to the military assistance of the United States.

"He said even though the U.S. had not honored a single treaty that it had ever signed with his tribe, his people were still honoring their treaty obligations," Loew said. "I picked my jaw up off the ground, and was speechless."