In a heartwarming tale of ingenuity, familial love, and community spirit, the Yazzie family of the Navajo Nation, including a teenage inventor, were gifted a life-altering surprise: a brand new home courtesy of the popular ABC television program, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." This transformation, fueled by the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, marked a significant turning point for a family facing considerable hardship in the high desert landscape of Arizona. This article explores the story behind the Navajo inventor and family to get ‘Makeover’ home, the conditions they endured, and the incredible outpouring of support that culminated in a new beginning.
The Yazzies, consisting of Georgia, Garalene, Garrett, and Gwendolyn, resided in a dilapidated single-wide trailer situated approximately 150 miles northeast of Flagstaff. Their home, a far cry from providing a safe and comfortable environment, was riddled with problems. According to a HomeLife Communities web posting, the trailer suffered from a litany of issues, including the absence of running water, gaping holes in the floors and ceiling, inadequate or nonexistent insulation, unusable bathrooms, a malfunctioning water heater, limited and unreliable electricity, a lack of a phone line, and boarded-up windows, creating a sense of isolation and vulnerability.
Adding to these challenges, Gwendolyn, the youngest daughter, suffered from severe asthma and epilepsy. The traditional method of heating homes in the region – burning coal – was simply not an option for the Yazzies, as the fumes posed a significant threat to Gwendolyn’s health. This created a dire situation, especially during the harsh winter months when temperatures plummeted in the high desert.
In the face of these adversities, Garrett Yazzie, then a 13-year-old, stepped up to become a pillar of support for his family. Driven by a desire to protect his sister and alleviate the burdens on his mother, he embarked on a remarkable journey of innovation and resourcefulness. He took it upon himself to find an alternative and sustainable heating solution.
Garrett turned to the internet for knowledge and guidance. With the help of online mentors, he designed and built a solar heater using repurposed materials. In a testament to his ingenuity and commitment to environmental stewardship, Garrett’s creation incorporated an old car transmission and recycled aluminum cans. This invention not only provided warmth for his family but also embodied the Navajo principles of sustainable living, resourcefulness, and minimizing waste. It was a testament to living off the land.
Garrett’s ingenuity and dedication quickly garnered attention. He was celebrated as a "junkyard genius" and received numerous national and local honors, awards, and recognition for his invention. His story resonated deeply with people across the country, highlighting the power of innovation to overcome adversity and the importance of supporting young minds. The Navajo inventor and family to get ‘Makeover’ home quickly became a heartwarming story.
The recognition of Garrett’s achievements led to a chain of events that ultimately resulted in the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project. The family’s journey began when they visited Arizona State University (ASU) and met with Jaynie Parrish, a university spokeswoman, and former Navajo Nation President Peterson Zah, who was then serving as an advisor to ASU President Michael Crow on American Indian affairs. During their visit, they toured the university and interacted with faculty and staff members. Garrett also participated in the American Indian Programs’ annual science fair and youth programs at the Polytechnic Campus.
Impressed by the family’s resilience and Garrett’s remarkable talent, Zah and members of the Pinon community nominated them for the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" program. The show’s producers, recognizing the compelling narrative of the Yazzie family, selected them for a life-changing home renovation.
The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team, along with approximately 800 volunteers, descended upon the Yazzie’s property to begin the ambitious project. The family was whisked away on a "vacation" while the crew worked tirelessly to demolish the old trailer and construct a brand new, energy-efficient home.
The new home was designed and built by HomeLife Communities with a focus on sustainability and harmony with Navajo cultural principles. The design incorporated elements that honored Father Sky and Mother Earth, reflecting the deep connection between the Navajo people and their environment. The new "green" home was intended to be a source of pride and comfort for the family, providing a safe, healthy, and sustainable living environment for years to come. This all happened because the Navajo inventor and family to get ‘Makeover’ home.
While the construction was underway, ASU announced the establishment of the Garrett Yazzie Rising Star Scholarship Fund for Native American Students attending the university. This scholarship was created to support Native American students who demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit and/or interest in math and sciences. Furthermore, Garrett was presented with a Presidential Scholarship to attend ASU, providing him with the opportunity to pursue his academic aspirations.
The scholarship fund, while not solely for Garrett’s personal use, was intended to benefit a larger community of Native American students. The guidelines for the scholarship were to be developed in consultation with the Yazzie family. The endowment would take time to build, reflecting ASU’s long-term commitment to supporting Native American education.
The week of the makeover was filled with activity. Taping began with the show’s signature knock on the door of the Yazzie trailer, informing the family that they were going on vacation. The following day, the old trailer was removed from the property, and on Thursday, the new foundation was poured and blessed in a traditional Navajo ceremony. Construction continued throughout the weekend, with work on the interior taking place in preparation for the family’s return.
On Tuesday, the Yazzie family returned to their property to witness the unveiling of their new home. The episode, which aired as the season premiere in August or September, captured the emotional reveal and the family’s overwhelming gratitude. The new home provided the Yazzies with a safe, comfortable, and sustainable living environment, complete with running water, functioning bathrooms, proper insulation, and reliable electricity. This incredible Navajo inventor and family to get ‘Makeover’ home story ended well.
The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project not only provided the Yazzie family with a new home but also brought national attention to their story of resilience, ingenuity, and community support. Garrett Yazzie’s invention and his family’s unwavering spirit served as an inspiration to people across the country, demonstrating the power of innovation to overcome adversity and the importance of supporting Native American communities. The story of the Navajo inventor and family to get ‘Makeover’ home is one that inspires.