Navajo Culture
The
Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Diné
Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America.
Visitors from around the world are intrigued and mystified
when they hear the Navajo language – so, too, were the enemy during
World War II. Unknown to many, the Navajo language was used to create a
secret code to battle the Japanese. Navajo men were selected to create
codes and serve on the front line to overcome and deceive those on the
other side of the battlefield. Today, these men are recognized as the
famous Navajo Code Talkers, who exemplify the unequaled bravery and
patriotism of the Navajo people.
Navajo Government
Today,
the Navajo Nation is striving to sustain a viable economy for an ever
increasing population that now surpasses 250,000. In years past,
Navajoland often appeared to be little more than a desolate section of
the Southwest, but it was only a matter of time before the Navajo
Nation became known as a wealthy nation in a world of its own. The
discovery of oil on Navajoland in the early 1920's promoted the need
for a more systematic form of government.
In
1923, a tribal government was established to help meet the increasing
desires of American oil companies to lease Navajoland for exploration.
Navajo government has evolved into the largest and most sophisticated
form of American Indian government. The Navajo Nation Council Chambers
hosts 88 council delegates representing 110 Navajo Nation chapters.
See
the Navajo Nation government in action as the 88 Council delegates
(representing 110 Navajo Nation chapters, or communities) discuss
critical issues and enact legislation to determine the future of the
Navajo people. Reorganized in 1991 to form a three-branch system
(executive, legislative and judicial), the Navajos conduct what is
considered to be the most sophisticated form of Indian government.
While the Council is in session, you'll likely hear delegates carry on
the tradition of speaking in Navajo, providing a perfect example of how
the Navajo Nation retains its valuable cultural heritage while forging
ahead with modern progress. When the Council is not in session,
legislative work is done by 12 “standing committees” of the Council.
Inside the circular Council Chambers, the walls are adorned with
colorful murals that depict the history of the Navajo people and the
Navajo way of life. For more info about tours, call 928-871-6417 or
write to P.O. Box 1400 , Window Rock, AZ 86515.
Navajo Code Talkers
Navajo
Code Talkers At Iwo Jima, Major Howard Connor, 5th Marine Division
signal officer, declared, "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines
would never have taken Iwo Jima." Connor had six Navajo code talkers
working around the clock during the first two days of the battle. Those
six sent and received over 800 messages, all without error.
In
May 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits attended boot camp. Then, at
Camp Pendleton , Oceanside , California , this first group created the
Navajo code. They developed a dictionary and numerous words for
military terms. The dictionary and all code words had to be memorized
during training. Navajos could encode, transmit, and decode a
three-line English message in 20 seconds. Machines of the time required
30 minutes to perform the same job. Approximately 400 Navajos were
trained as code talkers.
Guadalcanal,
Tarawa, Peleliu, Iwo Jima : the Navajo code talkers took part in every
assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945.
They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and
Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in
their native language -- a code that the Japanese never broke. Long
unrecognized because of the continued value of their language as a
security classified code, the Navajo code talkers of World War II were
honored for their contributions to defense on Sept. 17, 1992, at the
Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Excerpts taken from a Fact Sheet prepared by the Navy & Marine Corps WWII Commemorative Committee
Flag
The
Navajo Nation Flag, designed by Jay R. Degroat, a Navajo from Mariano
Lake, New Mexico, was selected from 140 entries, and was officially
adopted by the Navajo Nation Council on May 21, 1968 by Resolution
CMY-55-68.
On
a tan background, the outline of the present Nation is shown in copper
color with the original 1868 Treaty Reservation in Dark Brown. At the
cardinal points in the tan field are the four sacred mountains. A
rainbow symbolizing Navajo sovereignty arches over the Nation and the
sacred mountains. In the center of the Nation, a circular symbol
depicts the sun above two green stalks of corn, which surrounds three
animals representing the Navajo livestock economy, and a traditional
hogan and modern home. Between the hogan and the house is an oil
derrick symbolizing the resource potential of the Tribe, and above this
are representations of the wild fauna of the Nation. At the top near
the sun, the modern sawmill symbolizes the progress and industry
characteristic of the Navajo Nation's economic development.
Window Rock
The
small park near the Navajo Nation Administration Center features the
graceful redstone arch for which the capital is named. The Navajo
Nation headquarters and other government offices were built in close
proximity to this mystical rock formation.
More
recently, the Navajos have built a Veteran's Memorial at the base of
Window Rock to honor the many Navajos who served in the U.S. military.
Many Navajo soldiers are recognized in the annals of history for their
role as Code Talkers, whereby they used the native language to create a
code that was never broken by the enemy. Historians credit the Navajo
Code Talkers for helping to win World War II. The park has many
symbolic structures: a circular path outlining the four cardinal
directions, 16 angled steel pillars with the names of war veterans, and
a healing sanctuary that is used for reflection and solitude that
features a fountain made of sandstone. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more info call 928-871-6647 or write to Navajo Nation Parks &
Recreation Dept., P.O. Box 9000 , Window Rock, AZ 86515.
Navajo Museum
The modern Navajo Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich and unique culture of the Navajo Nation. Native displays, a book and gift shop, snack bar, auditorium, outdoor amphitheater, information kiosk, library and on-site authentic Navajo hogan complete the center. The Museum is open from 8am to 8pm Tuesday through Friday, and 8am to 5pm on Monday and Saturday. For more info call 928-871-7941, or write the museum at: P.O. Box 1840 , Window Rock, AZ 86515
Information and Photos for this page provided courtesty of Navajo Nation Tourism www.discovernavajo.com