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AIVMI (American Indian Veterans Memorial Initiative is a project that is currently spearheaded by the Seminole Tribe of Florida to gain approval from Congress and the President of the United States of America to build a statue on the Vietnam Memorial Walkway on the National Mall in Washington D.C. that represents an American Indian soldier.

AIVMI, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit set up in September 12,2011 by Seminole tribal member Stephen Bowers and his wife Elizabeth Bates Bowers to help build awareness of the contributions of the American Indian veterans who took part in the Vietnam conflict.

Stephen Bowers is a combat Vietnam Veteran having served in the 173rd Airborne Division during his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969-1970. Stephen helped form the Seminole Tribe of Florida Color Guard group which has carried in the flags for numerous Pow-wow Grand Entry events throughout the United States. He also heads up the Seminole Color Guard that marches in the flags at each Florida State University graduation ceremonies held three times per year in Tallahassee, Florida.

Dr. Robert Primeaux, PhD., a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, is also working with AIVMI to help achieve the goal. Dr. Primeaux joined the U.S. Army in 1968 primarily to experience life off the reservation. He served in Vietnam with Delta Troop, 2nd/17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. The "Dirty Delta" was a recon unit for all combat units in the 101st Airborne Division, and the group operated all over I Corps, and the northern part of South Vietnam. While on Operation Dewey Canyon I in June 1970, the reopening of Khe Sanh, Dr Primeaux had the misfortune to be summoned home due to the death of his younger brother who was killed on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. He received an honorable discharged from the U.S. Army in 1970, Dr. Primeaux used his GI Bill to attend the University of North Dakota and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1980. During this time, Dr. Primeaux also competed in all levels of Rodeo; his most significant title was third place in the Steer Wrestling at the North American Indian Rodeo Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma in November 1977.

After receiving his first degree, Dr. Primeaux continued with his studies and earned a Masters Degree in Physical Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1986. Within a few years later, he became assistant basketball coach at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota where he remained for two years. When an uncle passed away, Dr. Primeaux left coaching and returned to help out on his uncle’s ranch in White River on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. While on the reservation, he had an opportunity to be in the movie “Thunderheart” where he was the stunt double for Graham Greene. During this time, he also wrote two (2) novels with the help of the elders of the Sioux Nation. The novels were based on the stealing of the Black Hills by the U.S. Government.

Soon after taking a part in Thunderheart, Dr. Primeaux moved to Los Angeles and started his acting career. He has performed in fifteen (15) movies, with his most prominent role in the TNT mini-series, “Rough Riders.” His character represented the real sixty (60) American Indians who were “Rough Riders” during the Spanish American War. During this time, Dr. Primeaux also acted in eight (8) television series, and several documentaries. While working in the movie industry, Dr. Primeaux obtained a Ph.D. from London University in London, England.

In 2000, he returned to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation to run for Tribal Chairman. He placed third among the five candidates who ran in the primaries. He lost the election; however, he learned a great deal about his heritage and his roots. He had been absent from the reservation for ten (10) years, but he tried to visit every home on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The vastness (3.4 million acres) of the reservation made this a daunting task for anyone.

Although not an elected tribal leader, he still desired to help his Indian people, as well as other Native Americans. In 2007, Senator Kent Conrad from North Dakota submitted his resume to the White House to be considered for the position of Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. Even though he did not get the job, he was one of the three finalists. Soon after, Dr. Primeaux returned to school to work towards a second Ph.D from Walden University in Public Policy. He has completed most of the coursework and his Doctoral Dissertation research on “The American Indian Trust Fund.”

Today, Dr. Primeaux hosts two radio shows from Reno, Nevada on Fox Talk Radio. His show titled “The Warrior” informs the public about issues confronting the American Indian, and attempts to dispel the many stereotypes and myths that surround American Indian people. Another show, titled “Sit-Rep”, short for Situation Report, informs the public on veteran-related issues. He considers the American Indian Vietnam Memorial Initiative (AIVMI) to have a statue placed in the area of the Vietnam Wall on the Mall in Washington DC, an effort that is a leading Indian veteran issue today. Jan Scruggs, co-founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was interviewed on Primeaux's "Sit-Rep" radio show in November 2011 to gain his perspective on the establishment of an American Indian statue on the Mall.

Dr. Tome Roubideaux, PhD. (DSW), a member of the Rosebud Tribe, has also joined AIVMI.