Explore the Navajo nation

Tenacious...adaptable...enduring...spiri tual - words that characterize the
largest and most influential Indian tribe in North America... The Navajo
Nation. Since the Long Walk in the 1860's, the Navajo Nation decimated to a
population of only 8,000. It has increased to a stronghold of more than
210,000. About 60 percent of Navajos are 24 years old or younger. In its
infancy, the Navajo Nation governed itself by a complex language and clan
system. The discovery of oil in the early 1920's clarified the need for a
more systematic form of government. So, in 1923, the Navajos established a
tribal government; thus providing an entity to deal with American oil
companies wishing to lease Navajoland for exploration.

Today, the Navajo Nation Council has grown into the largest and most
sophisticated American Indian government in the U.S. , it was reorganized in
1991 to form a three branch government - executive, legislative and
judicial. It embodies an elected tribal President, Vice-president and 88
council delegates representing 110 local units of government (known as
chapters) throughout the Navajo Nation. Council delegates meet a minimum of
four times a year as a full body in Window Rock, Arizona, the Navajo Nation
capital. In addition to their duties as chapter representatives, council
delegates also are appointed by the tribal council to serve on at least one
of 11 standing tribal committees.

The Navajo Nation continues to forge ahead in its goal to attain economic
self-sufficiency . Yet in the midst of it all, the Dineh (or the People)
still adhere to their cultural, social and traditional values; the same
tenacious values that have made the Navajo Nation unique and fascinating
throughout its history. The traditional history of the Navajo Nation, with
its strong emphasis on adapting trends with modern day America will continue
to perpetuate the enduring Navajo into the future.

The Navajo Nation Tourist Development Initiative
To help revitalize its economy, the Navajo Nation has recently undertaken
steps to develop, strengthen and manage an even increasing tourism industry.
Despite the fact that most tourists visit Arizona to see cowboys and
Indians, it is estimated that only 7 percent of a nearly $550 million
industry ever reaches the Navajo Nation. With the formation of the "Navajo
Tourism Master Plan" it is hoped that the Navajo Nation will be able to
reach more than 20% of tourism expenditures by the year 2000, creating some
5,000 jobs.

Explore...The Land
Outsiders do not perceive Navajoland as the Navajo, as the sacred homeland
created for the Dineh. This strong spiritual belief in the land requires
that Mother Earth be treated with the deepest respect. The arid-looking
surface of Navajoland belies what lies underneath a world of hidden
treasures...tons of oil, gas, coal and uranium...waiting to be tapped. In
1987 alone, some $43 million was poured into the Navajo Nation's coffers
from mineral royalty payments. Coal alone contributed $28 million to the
tribal treasury. Minerals excavated from Navajoland not only benefit the
Navajo Nation, but also provide various forms of energy to millions of
people throughout the United States.

With a burgeoning population, the Navajo Nation has found it necessary to
increase its landbase substantially over the past several years. Some 17.5
million acres have been added to tribal lands. And there are plans to
increase this base even more.

Explore... The Beauty
In addition to its mineral resources, the Navajo Reservation embodies some
of the most awesome and spectacular scenery in the world. More than 15
national monuments, tribal parks, and historic sites are found within its
vastness.

For avid water sports enthusiasts, Navajoland encompasses a dozen different
fishing lakes and ponds, scattered throughout the sprawling 26,000
square-mile reservation. Lake Powell alone - boast some 186 miles of water
front and 2,000 miles of shoreline - more than the entire West Coast!

The stark and incredible beauty of the Navajo Reservation - spilling over
into the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah - is an irresistible magnet
to film and television producers from all over the world. Canyon de Chelly
National Park, Monument Valley, Tribal Park, the Little Colorado River and
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, are only a few of the sites that have been
immortalized on the silver screen.

Frequently visited attractions include Chaco Culture National Historical
Park, Navajo National Monument, Window Rock, Four Corners Monument,
Petrified Forest National Park and the Bistri Badlands.

Explore...Dineh (The People)
Navajo legend tells us that the Dineh had to pass through three different
worlds before emerging into the present world - the Fourth World or
Glittering World. So, the Holy People put four sacred mountains in four
different directions. Mt. Blanca in the east. Mt. Taylor in the south, San
Francisco Peaks in the west, and Mt. Hesperus in the north, thus creating
the boundaries of Navajoland. Centuries ago, the Navajo people were taught
by the Holy People to live in harmony with Mother Earth and how to conduct
their many activities of everyday life. The Dineh believe there are two
classes of beings: the Earth People and the Holy People. The earth People
are ordinary mortals, while the Holy People are spiritual beings that cannot
be seen. Holy People are believed to aid or harm Earth People.

When disorder evolves in a Navajo's life, such as illness, herbs,
medicinemen (diagnosticians), prayers, songs and ceremonies are used to help
cure the ailment. Some tribal members prefer modern day hospitals on the
Navajo Reservation; some seek the assistance of a traditional Navajo
medicineman, some combine both methods. Navajos believe that a medicineman
is a uniquely qualified individual bestowed with supernatural powers to
diagnose a person's problem and to heal or cure illnesses. The Dineh believe
they are sustained as a nation because of their enduring faith in the Great
Spirit. And because of their strong spirituality, the Navajo people believe
they will continue to survive as an Indian nation forever.

Explore...Food and Clothing
For generations, traditional Navajo dishes have been handed down from
grandmother to mother to daughter without being written down. Besides being
a basic necessity of life, food welcomes visitors and expresses thanks.
Traditional Navajos usually cook by memory, measuring their ingredients with
hands or fingers. If there is no modern stove, most food is cooked over an
open fire. Traditional cooks still use wild plants and vegetables such as
spinach, onions, turnips, berries, cactus and cedar brush. For instance,
cedar brush is used to add color, a flavor to a popular Navajo delight
called blue corn meal pudding.

Explore... The Traditional Dress
Many Navajos continue to wear traditional clothing daily. Others wear their
velvet, turquoise and silver only during ceremonial or social gatherings.
The Navajo woman's traditional style of dress consists usually of foot or
knee-high moccasins, a pleated velvet or cotton skirt, a matching
long-sleeve blouse, concho and/or sash belt, jewelry and a shawl. Men also
wear jewelry, moccasins and preferably a velveteen shirt. Although many
Navajo people wear contemporary clothing, they continue to carry on their
cultural practices by wearing traditional outfits when the occasion requires
it. It is believed that before an individual can receive help from the Great
Spirit, one must first wear appropriate clothing in order to be recognized.

Explore...Navajo Language
The Navajo people are very dynamic and creative people who strongly believe
in the power of the mind to think and create; finding expression in the
myriad symbolic creations of the Navajo language, art and ritual ceremonies.

The Navajo language embodies a high prevalence of humor in day to day
conversation. Humor transforms difficult and frustrating circumstances into
bearable and even pleasant situations. The strong emphasis and value Navajos
place on humor is evidenced in the First Laugh rite. The first time a Navajo
child laughs out loud is a time for honor and celebration.

Aside from being the mother tongue of the Navajo Nation, the Navajo language
also has played a highly significant role in helping the entire nation.
During World War II, the Navajo language was used as a code to confuse the
enemy. Navajo bravery and patriotism is unequaled. Navajos were inducted and
trained in the U.S. Marine Corps to become "code talkers" on the front-line.
Shrouded in secrecy at the time, these men are known today as the famed
Navajo Code Talkers, proved to be the only code that could not be broken
during World War II. Although not all tribal members speak the language
fluently, most Navajos have a deep respect for it.

Explore...The Cultural Events
Navajoland offers several culturally-related activities held throughout the
year. Pow wows, traditional song and dances, native food competitions and
many others are only a sample.

Explore...Navajo Song and Dance
Scarcely anything depicts the American Indian more eloquently than his love
for dancing. The traditional song and dance and inter-tribal pow wows are
only some of the many aspects in which the Navajo Nation continues its
cultural tradition. Most social events held in Navajoland are held mainly
for pleasure and outsiders are welcome to attend.

The traditional song and dance (a ceremony called the Enemyway Ceremony) is
an increasingly popular event. One of the reasons an Enemyway Ceremony is
conducted is to help cure an individual who has become ill after going to
war. The ceremonial dancing is to relieve tension in the patient. Today, the
cultural aspects of the ceremony live on through song and dance contests or
festivals. Participants dress in their finest traditional Navajo attire and
recreate the traditional dances of their forefathers.

Explore...Pows Wows
Although pow wows did not originate with the Navajo people, the Navajo
Nation hosts one of the largest intertribal pow wows in North America every
summer in Window Rock, Arizona during the Navajo Nation Fair. Most
modern-day pow wows are held for pleasure , but certain aspects of the pow
wow are sacred and in some cases photographs and tape recorders are
forbidden.

Explore...The Navajo Nation Fair
The Navajo Nation proudly sponsors the "World's Largest American Indian
Fair" - the Navajo Nation Fair - attracting visitors from around the world.
Held in early September each year, the fair takes place in Window Rock,
Arizona, capital of the Navajo Nation, where more than 100,000 people attend
the five-day gala.

One of the highlights of the fair is the all-Indian rodeo, lassoing in more
than 900 Indian cowboys and cowgirls from eight different Indian rodeo
associations throughout North America. The Navajo Nation Fair Rodeo offers
competition in all events for both men and women.

The Navajo Nation Fair offers a variety of other events including
horseracing, an inter-tribal pow wow, arts and crafts exhibits of
world-renowned Indian artists, Miss Navajo Nation competition, an Indian fry
bread contest, a baby contest, concerts, country and western dances, song
and dance competition, agricultural exhibits, livestock exhibits, food
concessionaires, a carnival, and of course, the Navajo Nation parade through
the Window Rock area.

Following the Navajo Nation Fair are other Navajo fairs - the annual
Shiprock Navajo Fair, held every October in Shiprock, New Mexico. This is
the most traditional of all Navajo fairs. Other smaller tribal fairs include
the Western Navajo Fair in Tuba City, Arizona, the Eastern Navajo Fair in
Crownpoint, New Mexico, and the Central Navajo Fair in Chinle, Arizona; all
usually held in early fall.

Explore...The Outdoors
Hearts pound, sides ache, muscles ripple...as men and women of all ages push
their bodies to the limit in a 10K run...water sparkles the glints, a sudden
breeze rises as you cast a line out to the crafty fish lurking beneath the
surface of one of several fishing lakes; a wild cheer, a collective
"Oooh"...as the summer crowds cheer their favorite softball team; the buzz
of a power boat as it zooms along pulling water skiers in tow. This is
Navajoland! Navajoland with its myriad variety of outdoor recreation.

Fishing, hunting, running, hiking, cycling, boating, softball, basketball,
and numerous other exhilarating activities, challenge the most avid
sportsperson. Navajoland offers everything, from some of the most grueling
cycling races to highly competitive trophy fishing, ranking among the top
outdoor recreation anywhere.

Explore...Fishing and Hunting
Navajoland offers fishing year-round at its 12 major lakes. Most popular are
Wheatfields and Tsaile in Arizona, and Whiskey Lake in New Mexico. Most of
the tribe's lakes are nestled in the Chuska Mountains located in the
east-central area of the Navajo Reservation. Avid fishermen match wits with
an array of fish ranging from rainbow and cutthroat trout to channel
catfish.

If hunting is your bag, Navajoland offers both small and big game hunting. A
variety of big game (primarily deer and turkey) hunts are offered beginning
in mid September and expanding into December. Most small game is in season
year-round. The permits required for fishing, hunting and boating can be
obtained from the Navajo Fish and Wildlife Department.

Explore...Fitness
Maybe your idea of exercise is to walk and explore? Or maybe bicycle? A road
race? The Navajo Nation hosts several such races throughout the year,
however, we also offer less competitive exercising with outstanding
background beauty.

Throughout the spring and summer, Navajoland is inundated with distance
runners and cyclists warming the muscles and taking part in one or more of a
host of races.

Navajos have long been famous for their long distance running ability. With
this challenge and beauty-filled background, Navajoland becomes a "special"
magnet for racers from all over the Southwest. Cyclists from all over the
Southwest venture onto the reservation battling the uphill challenge of the
Chuska Mountains and the unrelenting sun of the great Navajo Nation.

So, when you think you're ready...pick up the tanning lotion , loosen up
those muscles, and come on out to the Navajo Nation to compete with the best
of them in a 5K, 10K, or 25-mile cycling race. If leisure jogging or bicycle
riding is more your pace, Navajoland offers spectacular scenic background
and crisp, fresh air guaranteed to quicken your pulse and catapult you into
a real love affair with Navajoland.

Explore...All Indian Rodeos
Grab your cowboy hat, shine-up your boots, and head out to the Navajo
Nation's number one spot - rodeo. Want to see cowboys and Indians? Well, on
the Navajo Nation, most cowboys ARE Indians! There are literally hundreds of
rodeos in Navajoland. In fact, the Navajo Nation hosts more Indian rodeos
than any other tribe in the United States and Canada combined. Even during
the winter months, Navajos continue jackpot team roping and bull riding
competition.

Virtually every region of the Navajo Nation hosts a rodeo during the summer,
offering participation in all events for both men and women. The Navajo
Nation Rodeo Cowboys Association and the All-Indian Rodeo Cowboys
Association hosts several rodeos on the Navajo Reservation throughout the
season. Yaahoooooooooo! Love those Indian rodeos!

Explore...Indian Artwork
Navajo rugs, their unique silversmithing, and distinctive baskets are
recognized throughout the world. Everyone loves Indian art - particularly
Navajo art. Yet most guests visiting the Navajo Nation are not aware of the
history or significance of most artwork to the Navajo people. Nor do most
guests understand what constitutes "authentic" Navajo crafts.

Explore...Rug Weaving
Fascination for Navajo weaving is unequaled from its arts and crafts
enthusiasts throughout the world, not only because of its aesthetic
qualities, but also because of its unique stylistic changes.

Navajo legend teaches that Navajo women learned the art of weaving from
Spider Woman who constructed a loom according to directions given by Spider
Man. They were Holy People who came from the underworld, where weaving was
their way of life. However, others believe that Navajo women learned the
technique from Pueblos in the mid-17th Century.

Originally Navajo women wove such items as wraparound dresses, tunic-like
skirts, breech cloths, and shoulder robes. just prior to 1900, the market
for Navajo blankets expanded into rugs and weaving eventually became
market-oriented. Today, distinct styles of rugs identify designs from Two
Grey Hills, Ganado, and Crystal, which have become famous worldwide.
Although many weavers continue in their regional style, some artists who
live in the vicinity of two rug regions have become combination-style
weavers.

Branching out from the traditional rugs are the difficult and complex
designs such as the two-faced, pictorial, sandpainting and raised outlook.
The saddle blanket, another popular rug, isn't as difficult to make as the
others, but is more affordable for the collector on a limited budget.

Explore...Silversmithing
Navajos are unsurpassed in their ability to create exquisite and
multifaceted art. Nowhere is this more true than in the beauty of their
silversmithing. Introduced by the Spaniards and Mexicans around the middle
of the 19th Century, silversmithing Navajos obtained metal by melting down
American silver dollars or Mexican pesos.

Navajo lore teaches that when the Dineh came from the underworld, First Man
brought turquoise with him and directed shovels to be made of turquoise to
dig channels and drain much of the water that was present. It's believed
that Navajos began working with turquoise after returning from Fort Sumner,
New Mexico in 1863. Aside from its ornamental value, turquoise is especially
important to the Navajo people because of its ceremonial significance.

Today, turquoise is used primarily for ornamentation, but Navajos remember
and wear it ceremonially as exemplified in the many rituals still held
today.

Explore...Basketry
While the art of basketmaking may seem minor, a basket has great symbolic
significance because it represents the well-being of an individual,
particularly the mind.

Navajo lore teaches that Holy People - First Man and First Woman - made
baskets when they lived in the underworld for ceremonial purposes. Each part
of a Navajo basket has a special significance. The core of the basket
represents the emergence of the Holy People into the present world - the
Fourth or Glittering World. The area surrounding the core represents the
earth. Traditional Navajo baskets have a first layer of black triangular
design, representing the four sacred mountains. That area immediately
adjacent to the black represents the sky; the red design represents the
clouds and darkness. The black triangular designs on the outside of the
basket represents the Holy People., including Yellow Corn and Dawn. Finally,
the outer edge of the basket represents the association with others.

Apart from their ceremonial usage, Navajos also use baskets for
ornamentation.

Explore...Sandpainting
Sandpaintings are another unique and symbolic art form originating with the
Holy People who lived in the underworld. Sandpaintings were, and still are,
primarily ceremonial.

Depicting the tools used by the Holy People, which were strictly intended
for ceremonial purposes, sandpaintings represent an array of ceremonies and
sacred songs. However, today many artists create pictures of ceremonial
figures for commercial purposes. Sandpainting in itself is not forbidden as
long as Holy people are not depicted. A spin-off of ceremonial
sandpaintings, are the popular sandpainting nameplates, containers, vases,
etc., decorated with figures other than ceremonial. This allows the art form
to be collected and enjoyed without compromising sacred ceremonial values.

Tribal legend indicates that most Navajo arts and crafts sprang from roots
that began with the Holy People. Virtually everything a Navajo says or does
is somehow linked with his cultural past, consequently they help him set the
course for the future. Navajoland is, as it has always been, a land in
transition, a blending of the past and the present, reaching out confidently
to embrace the future.