Diné College Press facts for kids
Diné College Press (which used to be called Navajo Community College Press) is a special publishing company. It's part of Diné College, located in Tsaile, Arizona. However, its work reaches all over the Navajo Nation. Diné College Press publishes books written by and about Native American people. While many books focus on the Navajo people, others cover wider topics about Native American studies. Famous authors like Acoma Pueblo poet Simon J. Ortiz and Pawnee-Otoe-Missouria writer Anna Lee Walters have published books with them.
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What Kinds of Books Does Diné College Press Publish?
Diné College Press publishes many interesting books. These books often share stories, history, and knowledge from Native American cultures, especially about the Navajo people.
Many books from the press help people learn about the rich history and culture of the Navajo. For example, Navajo history (1971) shares important events. Another book, Navajo stories of the long walk period (1973), tells tales from a difficult time in Navajo history. The Navajos' long walk for education (1975) explains how education developed for the Navajo people.
Books like Stories of traditional Navajo life and culture (1977) share everyday experiences and traditions. A political history of the Navajo tribe (1978) helps readers understand how the Navajo government works. The press also published Navajos in the Catholic Church records of New Mexico, 1694-1875 (1985), which looks at historical records.
Books on Other Native American Topics
Beyond the Navajo, Diné College Press also publishes books about other Native American groups and broader topics. For instance, The Cheyenne (1977) teaches about the Cheyenne people. The sacred: ways of knowledge, sources of life (1977) explores important spiritual ideas shared by many Native American cultures.
The press also publishes books about music and dance from different tribes. Examples include Music and dance in Northwest Coast Indian life (1977) and Hopi music and dance (1977).
Poetry and Stories
Diné College Press also publishes creative works like poetry and short stories. Earth power coming: short fiction in native American literature (1983) is a collection of stories by Native American writers. Outcroppings from Navajoland: poems (1984) shares poetry inspired by the Navajo land. Later, Storm pattern: poems from two Navajo women (1993) featured poems by Della Frank and Roberta D. Joe.
Language and Education
The press has also created helpful resources for language and education. The Navajo dictionary on diagnostic terminology (1991) helps with Navajo language use. There are also children's books, like Tsʹ̕iliiyʹazhʹi Spuds baa hane ̕. (The story of a dog named Spuds.) (1993) and The English-Navajo children's picture dictionary (1995), which help young readers learn both languages.
