During WWI, Native Americans, who often found themselves seen as “outsiders” and leading their own nations on reservations, played a pivotal role in the fighting and outcome of the war, leading to questions about their own loyalty and identity. Not only could Native Americans fight as part of the US military, but they were also instrumental in speaking in or providing languages that the opposing Central Powers were unable to understand, which could be used as a code in order to throw things off, even by non-Native speakers, or code-talking, as it was called. With this newfound importance and adoption of their languages, it started becoming clear to some Native Americans that it didn’t make sense they weren’t considered citizens yet. As shown in the letter sent by commanding officer of the 142nd infantry to the commanding general of the 36th division, this code-talking worked in a myriad of interesting ways. He made a plan for the Natives to speak on the phone when the enemy is around. only using the code and leading to more time to practice effective strategies. The Native Americans, after withdrawing, were told that their terms such as the word for “little gun” could mean artillery, and were able to bypass their enemies with this. It was known the language was fairly inactive, but it still came in handy for deterring others. In the aftermath, these Native peoples were able to gain American citizenship through having served well for the war and done major things for the country, but this ended up not being such a good idea for them. They continued to face various issues, such as poor financial status, feelings of betrayal, and families being ripped apart. Feeling that they were being forced to give up what connected them to their ancestors, some ended up causing more commotion in the equal rights department, but many continued to understand that being a legal citizen in a country where you have always lived is the experience that has the most benefits. In addressing this tension, there were problems, like not being able to participate in rituals with society, but also good parts, like not living in fear of being constantly judged. Whatever the case was, the Native Americans showed their true bravery by fighting in World War I and using code-talking, and it is likely that the war could have been lost without them. Whatever the case was, this became a major turning point for why the Native Americans were allowed to do things, and they gained the right too, challenging many of the ideals Americans had in the past. This step towards social change was the first sign of a much brighter and happier lifetime.