The Navajo Nation

April 8, 2006

The Navajo Nation is a source of curiosity and wonderment worldwide, and for excellent reasons. The class will view videos of Edward T. Begay, Thomas Begay, Robert Yazzie, and Peterson Zah.

Edward T.Begay has had a long and distinguished career with the Navajo Nation, serving for two terms as Speaker. He is committed to the project of creative and appropriate economic development of his people, and also to preserving Navajo traditions. He savors politics and maintains good relations with New Mexico leaders across the political spectrum.

Thomas Begay is one of the last living Navajo Code Talkers. He served with the U.S. Marines 5th Division on Iwo Jima. His heartfelt and patriotic story stands in great contrast to the putative story of the Code Talkers told in the movie Wind Talkers. The Navajo Code Talkers came out against the Iraq War in 2003.

Robert Yazzie was Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation from 1992 -2003. He was a powerful force in integrating traditional Navajo law and peacemaking techniques into the Nation’s court system. Yazzie works internationally for the rights of indigenous people, and lectures frequently on traditional concepts of peacemaking.

Peterson Zah has served as both Chairman of the Tribal Council and President of the Navajo Nation. His leadership skills were formed with the great generation of Native American leaders that includes, among others, LaDonna Harris and Oren Lyons. Today Zah is Advisor on American Indian Affairs to the President of Arizona State University, where he helps recruit and retain Native American students.

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