Navajo Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Navajo Nation
Naabeehó Bináhásdzo (Navajo)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
| Established | June 1, 1868 (Treaty) | ||
| Expansions | 1878–2016 | ||
| Chapter system | 1922 | ||
| Tribal Council | 1923 | ||
| Capital | Window Rock (Tségháhoodzání) |
||
| Subdivisions |
5 Agencies
|
||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Tribal Autonomous administrative division | ||
| • Body | Navajo Nation Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 27,413 sq mi (71,000 km2) | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 165,158 | ||
| • Density | 6.02481/sq mi (2.326/km2) | ||
| 160,552 Native American 4,606 White |
|||
| Time zone | MST/MDT | ||
| Website | www.navajo-nsn.gov | ||
The Navajo Nation (Navajo: Naabeehó Bináhásdzo), also called Navajoland, is a special area in the United States. It is home to the Navajo people, a large Native American tribe. This land covers parts of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. The main government office is in Window Rock, Arizona.
The Navajo Nation is the biggest Indian reservation in the United States. It is larger than many U.S. states! This land is also part of the Navajo people's traditional homeland.
In 2010, about 173,667 Navajo tribal members lived on the reservation. Many others lived in cities or towns nearby. By 2020, the number of tribal members grew to 399,494. This made the Navajo Nation the largest tribal group by enrollment.
The United States took control of this land in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. The reservation officially started in 1868. It has grown bigger several times since then. The Navajo Nation has kept its own government and traditions.
The official language of the Navajo Nation is Navajo, which is called Diné Bizaad.
Contents
- Understanding the Navajo Nation
- A Look at Navajo History
- The Navajo Language
- How the Navajo Nation Works with the U.S. Government
- How the Navajo Nation is Governed
- Geography and Climate
- People and Culture
- Education and Learning
- Health and Well-being
- Making a Living
- Fun Places to Visit
- Art and Crafts
- Media and Communication
- See also
In English, this area was first called the Navajo Indian Reservation. This name was part of a treaty signed in 1868. On April 15, 1969, the tribe officially changed its name to the "Navajo Nation." You can see this name on their official seal.
The Navajo people sometimes call themselves Diné, which means "the People" in their language. Both "Navajo" and "Diné" are used today. The Navajo Nation Council decided to keep the name "Navajo Nation" in 2017. They felt it was important for everyone to understand the name clearly.
In the Navajo language, the land with its official borders is known as Naabeehó Bináhásdzo. This is different from Diné Bikéyah or Naabeehó Bikéyah, which mean the general idea of "Navajoland." The traditional homeland of the Navajo is called Dinétah. It is located among four sacred Navajo mountains.
The Navajo people have a long history of governing themselves. Their society is built around clans and stories passed down through generations. This system existed long before Europeans arrived.
Early Days and the Long Walk
In the 1860s, many Navajo people were forced to leave their homes. The U.S. Army carried out military actions that destroyed their homes and farms. In 1864, about 8,000 Navajo adults and children were forced to march 300 miles. This difficult journey is known as the Long Walk of the Navajo. They were held in a place called Bosque Redondo.
In 1868, the Navajo people signed a treaty with the U.S. government. This treaty created the "Navajo Indian Reservation." The Navajo people then returned to their homeland. The treaty set the first boundaries for the reservation. This original land is shown as a dark-brown rectangle on the Navajo Nation's flag.
Many Navajo people did not stay within these new borders. They returned to their traditional living areas. Over time, the reservation grew larger through new agreements and orders. By 1934, it reached its current size.
Some areas today are a mix of reservation land and other types of land. This is called the "checkerboard area." It happened because of a program that divided tribal lands into smaller plots.
Clan Governance and Modern Changes
Traditionally, Navajo society was organized into matrilineal kinship groups called clans. Children belong to their mother's family and clan. Clan leaders helped guide their communities.
In the 1930s, the U.S. government tried to change how Native American tribes governed themselves. They suggested new constitutions. However, the Navajo people did not agree with these plans. They felt they were not fully included in the decisions. They also worried about how these changes would affect their way of life, especially their livestock. Because of this, the Navajo Nation continued to use its traditional ways of government for a long time.
On December 30, 2024, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren made the Navajo language the official language of the Navajo Nation. He wanted to make sure that the Navajo language, Diné Bizaad, stays strong for future generations. In 2025, reports showed that about 170,000 people speak Navajo at home.
Long ago, in the 1880s, it was forbidden to teach or speak Navajo in many schools. This ban was later put in place in government schools on the Navajo Nation. But in 1984, the Navajo Nation itself decided that teachers should teach students in the Navajo language. This was to help preserve the language, culture, and identity of the Navajo people.
The Navajo Nation has its own laws and rules, called the Navajo Nation Code. These laws cover many topics, from government to trade. The Nation also works closely with the United States Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
The Navajo Nation's land includes different types of ownership. There are tribal lands, federal lands, and private lands. In some areas, especially in New Mexico, these different land types are mixed together in a "checkerboard" pattern.
The Navajo Nation government has three main parts, much like the U.S. government:
- Executive Branch: Led by the President and Vice President.
- Legislative Branch: The Navajo Nation Council makes laws.
- Judicial Branch: Courts that handle legal matters.
The President and Vice President are elected every four years. They choose judges for the courts.
The Navajo Nation Council is the law-making part of the government. As of 2010, it has 24 members, called delegates. These delegates are elected every four years by Navajo voters. The number of delegates was reduced in 2010 to make the government more efficient.
Local Chapters
The Navajo Nation is divided into 110 local areas called Chapters. These Chapters are like small towns or counties. They help connect the Navajo people with their government. Chapters also serve as places for voting. Since 1998, Chapters have had more power to make decisions for their local communities.
Keeping Order: Law Enforcement
The Navajo Nation has its own police force, called the Navajo Nation Police. As of 2023, there were about 180 tribal police officers. They work to keep people safe. Other agencies, like the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife, also help with law enforcement.
Many other police groups, including state and federal agencies, also work on the Navajo Nation. This helps ensure safety across the large territory.
Geography and Climate
The Navajo Nation covers more than 27,000 square miles. This makes it the largest Indian reservation in the United States. It is bigger than the state of West Virginia!
The Navajo Nation shares borders with other Native American tribes, like the Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Jicarilla Apache, Zuni Pueblo, White Mountain Apache, and Hualapai. The Hopi Indian Reservation is completely surrounded by Navajo Nation land.
Some famous natural landmarks are found on the Navajo Nation. These include Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Monument Valley, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and the tall Shiprock rock formation. Part of the eastern Grand Canyon is also within Navajo territory.
Weather and Time
Most of the Navajo Nation is on the Colorado Plateau. The land has many different heights, from 3,080 to 10,346 feet. This means the climate changes a lot. Some areas are dry deserts, while mountains have colder, wetter weather. Temperatures can range from 4 degrees Fahrenheit in the mountains to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert.
The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time (DST) in all its areas, including those in Arizona. However, most of Arizona does not use DST. This means that sometimes the time on the Navajo Nation is different from nearby Arizona towns.
People and Culture
In 2010, most residents of the Navajo Nation identified as Navajo or other Native American. The average family size was 4.1 people. The average household income in 2010 was $27,389.
Many Navajo tribal members live outside the reservation. As of 2016, about 173,667 Diné lived on tribal lands.
Education and Learning
The Navajo Nation values education. Historically, Navajo families taught their children traditional knowledge at home. Today, there are many schools for Navajo students, including public schools and schools run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Navajo Nation also runs its own Head Start programs for young children. For older students, there are colleges and training programs.
One special school is Tséhootsooí Diné Bi'ólta' in Fort Defiance, Arizona. It is a Navajo-language immersion school. This means students learn mostly in the Navajo language, especially in kindergarten and first grade. This helps keep the language alive.
The Navajo Nation has its own colleges:
- Diné College: This is a two-year community college with its main campus in Tsaile. It was the first tribal college in the United States, started in 1968. It helps students prepare for four-year universities.
- Navajo Technical University (NTU): Located in Crownpoint, New Mexico, NTU offers many vocational, technical, and academic degrees. It started in 1979 to help unemployed Navajo people learn new skills.
- Navajo Preparatory School: This school in Farmington, New Mexico, helps Native American students get ready for college. It offers special programs like the International Baccalaureate.
Health and Well-being
The Navajo Nation faces some unique health challenges.
Uranium Mining and Health
From the 1940s, there was a lot of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. At first, there were not enough safety rules. This caused serious environmental pollution and health problems for miners and people living nearby. Many people developed illnesses. In 1990, a law was passed to help those affected. As of 2005, the Navajo Nation has stopped all uranium mining within its borders.
Other Health Concerns
The Navajo people also face specific health conditions:
- Navajo Neurohepatopathology (NNH): This is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system and liver. It can be very serious, especially for babies and young children.
- Diabetes: This is a major health problem among Navajo, Hopi, and Pima tribes. The rates are much higher than the U.S. average.
- Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): This is a genetic disorder where children are born with almost no immune system. It is sometimes called "bubble boy disease." It is more common among Navajo children than in the general population.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the Navajo Nation. The first cases were reported on March 17, 2020. Soon after, strict rules like stay-at-home orders and curfews were put in place to slow the spread.
By April 2020, the Navajo Nation had one of the highest infection rates in the United States. On May 18, 2020, it had the highest rate per person. The Nation received aid money to help fight the virus. As of February 2022, there were over 50,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,600 deaths related to COVID-19 in the Navajo Nation.
Making a Living
The Navajo economy has long been based on raising sheep and goats. Navajo families use the wool to make blankets and rugs, which they sell. Navajo people are also famous for their beautiful turquoise and silver jewelry. Other traditional arts include sand painting and pottery.
The Navajo Nation has also developed other businesses and industries. However, finding jobs can be a challenge, with unemployment rates sometimes reaching 40-45%. About 40% of families live below the federal poverty line.
One challenge for businesses is that tribal lands are owned by the community, not individuals. This can make it harder to get loans from banks. Many Navajo workers also find jobs in nearby cities and towns.
Natural Resources and Energy
Mining, especially of coal and uranium, brought a lot of money to the Navajo Nation in the past. Many of these mines have closed. Today, mining still provides some income from leases.
Coal Mining
Coal mining on Navajo land has decreased. Some large mines, like the Black Mesa coal mine, closed due to environmental concerns. Other mines, like the Navajo Mine, still operate and provide jobs. The Navajo Nation is also working to move towards cleaner energy sources.
Oil and Natural Gas
There are also oil and natural gas fields on the Navajo Nation. Selling leases and royalties from these resources has been a source of income. The Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company manages these interests.
Renewable Energy
The Navajo Nation is exploring renewable energy like wind power. There have been plans to build large wind farms. These projects aim to create clean energy and bring electricity to more Navajo homes. Many homes on the Navajo Nation still do not have electricity.
Fun Places to Visit
Tourism is important to the Navajo Nation. There are many beautiful places to see:
- Shiprock Pinnacle: A huge volcanic rock formation in New Mexico.
- Navajo Mountain: A sacred mountain on the Utah and Arizona border.
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Famous for its ancient cliff dwellings.
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: Known for its stunning red rock formations.
- Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park: Includes Antelope Canyon and trails to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
- Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park: The only place in the U.S. where four states meet.
The Navajo Nation also has its own museum, a zoo and botanical park, and several campgrounds.
Art and Crafts
Handmade arts and crafts are a very important part of the Navajo economy and culture. Navajo weavers are famous for their beautiful rugs and blankets, made from sheep's wool. They use special looms to create intricate designs. Today, modern techniques are used to prepare the wool.
Media and Communication
The Navajo Nation has its own media outlets:
- Navajo Times: This is the largest Native American-owned newspaper in the United States. It shares news and information about the Navajo Nation.
- KTNN: This is a radio station that provides news, music, and entertainment in both Navajo and English.
Other newspapers also serve the Navajo Nation, like the Navajo/Hopi Observer.
See also
In Spanish: Nación Navajo para niños
- Navajo Nation Bar Association
