CAMP VERDE, Arizona — The Yavapai-Apache Nation, led by Chairwoman Tanya Lewis, called out the Phoenix VA Hospital on March 27, 2025, for removing 22 Arizona tribal flags from its Medical Center. Lewis slammed the move in a statement, saying it dishonors Native veterans who’ve sacrificed for over 200 years and undermines their sovereignty.
The flags, representing each of Arizona’s tribal nations, were taken down without warning, a decision Lewis called “unacceptable and hurtful.” She argued it erases the contributions of Native veterans and demanded the VA put them back up. The Phoenix VA hasn’t said why they did it—some whisper it’s tied to a new policy on displays, but nothing’s confirmed. VA Secretary Doug Collins made the call, though Trump’s role, if any, isn’t clear.
This hits hard in a state where Native veterans make up a big chunk of those who served—thousands from tribes like the Yavapai-Apache have fought in every major conflict since World War I. The VA’s in downtown Phoenix, a hub for vets across the Valley, and those flags meant something to the community. Lewis and her nation, based in Camp Verde, aren’t backing down—they want answers and action.
Public’s Opinion:
Social media’s buzzing with reactions. Presh Is and others like Victoria Bonnaha and Vickki Johnsom blasted tribal leaders for backing Trump, saying his administration’s “whitewashing” history led to this—Ashley Renee Hession called it a “slap in the face” to Indigenous sacrifices. Ju PartIndigenous and Violet Whatoname questioned Lewis’ sincerity, demanding a public apology and stronger leadership, while Jim Bakhaus called the removal “un-American.” Donna Andersch-Ondovchak suggested the VA might’ve been targeting “nuisance flags” like BLM or Ukraine ones, but took tribal flags down too, wondering if anyone asked for them back before protesting.
