Chee Dodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chee Dodge
(Hastiin Adiitsʼaʼii) |
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Henry Chee Dodge
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| Last Head Chief of the Navajo Tribe | |
| In office 1884–1910 |
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| Preceded by | Manuelito |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| 1st Chairman of the Navajo Business Council | |
| In office 1922 – 1928 (no vice-chairman appointed) |
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| Succeeded by | Deshna Chischillige |
| 6th Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council | |
| In office 1942 – 1946 Vice-Chairman: Sam Ahkeah |
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| Preceded by | Jacob C. Morgan |
| Succeeded by | Sam Ahkeah |
| 6th Vice Chairman-elect of the Navajo Tribal Council (died before taking office; Zhealy Tso appointed) |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | ~1860 Tsíhootsooí/Fort Defiance, (New Mexico Territory) |
| Died | January 7, 1947 Lókʼaanteel/Ganado, Navajo Nation (Arizona) |
| Cause of death | pneumonia |
| Resting place | Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery, Fort Defiance, Arizona |
| Nationality |  Navajo Nation and USA (acquired 1924) |
| Spouses | K'eehabah, Nanabah |
| Children | 6, Tom, Ben, Antoinette, Annie, Veronica and Josephine |
| Occupation | Interpreter for the U.S. military, Rancher |
| Clans | Mąʼii Deeshgiizhnii Naakaii Dineʼé |
Henry Chee Dodge (1860–1947) was a very important leader for the Navajo Nation. In the Navajo language, he was known as Hastiin Adiitsʼaʼii (meaning "Mister Interpreter") and Kiiłchííʼ ("Red Boy").
He served as the last official Head Chief of the Navajo Tribe from 1884 to 1910. Later, he became the first Chairman of the Navajo Business Council (1922–1928). He also led the Navajo Tribal Council from 1942 to 1946. His son, Thomas Dodge, and his daughter, Annie Dodge Wauneka, also became important Navajo leaders.
Contents
Who Was Henry Chee Dodge?
Early Life and Family
Henry Chee Dodge was born around 1860 near Tsíhootsooí (Fort Defiance). He belonged to the Mąʼii Deeshgiizhnii clan. His father, Juan Anaya, was of Mexican background. Juan was raised by the Navajos.
When he was a child, Chee Dodge was separated from his mother during the Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864. This was a difficult time when many Navajos were forced to move far from their homes. He was taken in by a family and raised by his aunt.
Because his step-uncle was Anglo-American, young Chee quickly learned to speak English very well. This skill was very useful later in his life.
Becoming an Interpreter
Chee Dodge's ability to speak both Navajo and English made him very valuable. He became the official Navajo interpreter for the U.S. military. This meant he helped people from different cultures understand each other.
In 1883, he was hired to lead the Navajo Tribal Police. A year later, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (a U.S. government agency) named him "Head Chief of the Navajo." This was a new title, as traditional Navajo governance didn't have such a position. He was introduced to the Navajo people as "Tʼáá Diné Binaatʼáanii".
In 1922, Chee Dodge became the first chairman of the Navajo Business Council. This council helped manage the Navajo Nation's affairs. During his time, he worked to get over one million dollars in payments for the Navajo Nation. This money came from companies that wanted to drill for minerals on Navajo lands.
Some people felt that the council mostly approved decisions made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. However, Chee Dodge played a key role in these early negotiations.
Gaining U.S. Citizenship
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act was passed. This law granted U.S. citizenship to members of federally recognized tribes. Before this, many Native Americans living on reservations were not considered U.S. citizens. Chee Dodge, along with many others, gained his citizenship through this act.
Chee Dodge was elected chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council in 1942. He served in this role until 1946. During this time, he worked hard to improve education for Navajo children. He even traveled to Washington to ask the U.S. government for more money for schools.
In 1946, he was chosen as vice-chairman. Sadly, he passed away in January 1947 before he could take office. He was 86 or 87 years old. Zhealy Tso was then appointed as Vice-Chairman instead.
Chee Dodge died peacefully in his sleep from pneumonia on January 7, 1947, in Ganado, Arizona. His funeral was held at the St. Michael's Mission.
Legacy
Henry Chee Dodge is remembered for his dedication to the Navajo people.
- Chee Dodge Elementary School in Yatahey, New Mexico is named after him.
- Chee Dodge Boulevard near Gallup also honors his name.
