Last Updated: 10 years
A significant shift has occurred within the Navajo Nation, one that reflects both the enduring strength of its cultural identity and the pressures it faces in a rapidly changing world. A referendum, passed by Navajo Nation voters last month, has altered the qualifications for the office of president, removing the long-standing requirement that the leader be fluent in the Navajo language. This decision, while rooted in contemporary political realities, has ignited a passionate debate about the future of the Navajo language and the essence of Navajo identity. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by indigenous communities globally in preserving their linguistic heritage amidst economic and social transformations.
The Navajo Nation, sprawling across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, is home to the largest Native American tribe in the United States. The Navajo people, known as the Diné ("The People"), possess a rich history and a vibrant culture deeply interwoven with their ancestral language. For generations, Navajo has served as more than just a means of communication; it is a vessel of cultural knowledge, spiritual beliefs, and historical narratives, passed down through oral tradition.
The importance of the Navajo language is underscored by the historical context of its suppression. Beginning in the 1870s, the United States government implemented policies aimed at assimilating Native American tribes into mainstream American society. This included forced relocation, the suppression of indigenous languages, and the establishment of boarding schools where Native American children were forbidden from speaking their native tongues. The intention was to dismantle tribal cultures and force assimilation. Despite these systematic efforts to eradicate the Navajo language, it persevered, a testament to the resilience and determination of the Navajo people. Many tribal elders today still speak only Navajo, serving as living repositories of traditional knowledge.
Theresa Hatathlie, who works with Diné youth, emphasizes the profound connection between language and identity. "It’s a matter of self-identity, and it’s a matter of having pride in ourselves as native people," she explains. For many Navajos, speaking their language is an affirmation of their cultural heritage and a source of strength. However, Hatathlie acknowledges that not everyone shares this sentiment. Economic pressures and the perceived need to compete in a predominantly English-speaking world have led some to prioritize English over Navajo, a trend that concerns many within the community.
"I have individuals I have gone to school with, they say, ‘I don’t want my kids to learn their language because they’re not going to ever get a job,’" Hatathlie recounts. "’They’re not going to gain anything.’" This sentiment, while understandable given the economic realities faced by many Navajos, reflects a growing perception that the Navajo language may be a barrier to success in the modern world. This shift in perspective is a key factor underlying the passage of the recent referendum regarding the language requirement for the Navajo presidency.
The referendum can be interpreted as an acknowledgement of the declining fluency in Navajo among younger generations and a pragmatic response to the challenges of finding qualified leaders who possess both the necessary skills and fluency in the language. However, it also symbolizes a deeper cultural shift, one that raises concerns about the long-term viability of the Navajo language and the preservation of Navajo culture.
One significant factor contributing to the decline in Navajo language use is the migration of Navajos from the reservation in search of educational and employment opportunities. When Navajos move to urban areas, they are often immersed in English-speaking environments, leading to a gradual erosion of their language skills.
Clayson Benally’s experience illustrates this phenomenon. He grew up speaking Navajo fluently on the reservation but lost much of his fluency after his family moved to Flagstaff for his father’s job. He was enrolled in an English-only school where speaking Navajo was discouraged. "It was kind of frowned down that I spoke," Benally recalls. "And my accent used to be really thick. I used to be teased a lot. And unfortunately today I don’t speak." Benally worries about the long-term consequences of the referendum and its implications for Navajo culture.
He emphasizes the crucial role of elders in preserving Navajo traditions and knowledge. "Our elders are truly our wisdom keepers," Benally says. "They have our traditional history, all the songs, the prayers, our ceremonies that make us Diné, our way of life. And unfortunately, every day an elder is passing…the richness, the vast history that each person carries, a history from their own region that goes back generation upon generation. When one elder passes, a piece of that puzzle is gone forever." The loss of elders, coupled with the decline in Navajo language use, threatens to sever the vital link between the present and the past, jeopardizing the transmission of cultural heritage to future generations.
Another obstacle to language preservation is the difficulty of learning Navajo. It is a complex language with a unique grammatical structure and a wide range of sounds that are unfamiliar to English speakers. Benally relates to the reluctance of many young people to practice Navajo with their elders, fearing criticism and disapproval. "I attempt something, and you say it wrong, and you get scolded," he explains. "It can be terrifying for a lot of people. So, I relate with a lot of youth. By trying, you put yourself on a limb, and you risk disapproval."
The challenges of learning and preserving the Navajo language are reflected in the low enrollment numbers in Navajo language courses. Patricia Frederick, who chairs the global languages and cultures department at Northern Arizona University, notes that Spanish is a more popular language to study because of its broader applicability. "Spanish obviously in the southwest and all over the country is a useful language in almost any profession," Frederick explains. "And Navajo, because it’s in such a limited area, and added to that the difficulty of the language, might make it less popular."
Furthermore, economic factors play a significant role in the decline of indigenous languages worldwide. A recent study highlighted a strong correlation between economic development and the extinction of indigenous languages. As economies develop, the dominant language surrounding indigenous communities tends to take over, creating pressure to adopt the dominant language for economic advancement. The study suggests that holding onto one’s language might, in fact, get in the way of better economic conditions, a harsh reality that many indigenous communities face. This reality underscores the complexity of the decision made by the Navajo Nation voters regarding the language requirement for their president.
Despite the challenges, the Navajo language referendum has also sparked a renewed sense of urgency and a commitment to language preservation. Navajo Council Delegate Jonathan Hale sees the referendum as a wake-up call, urging tribal members to engage in critical self-reflection. "What is it being Navajo?" Hale asks. "What is Navajo to you? That language sets us apart. This is an issue we need to address."
The upcoming 2018 presidential election will serve as a test of the language referendum. While former tribal leaders were required to take the oath of office in Navajo, this will no longer be the case if the next president does not speak the language. The election will reveal the extent to which the Navajo people are willing to prioritize language fluency in their choice of leader and the future direction of the Navajo Nation.
The debate surrounding the Navajo president no longer has to speak the Navajo language highlights the complex interplay between language, culture, and economic realities. The decision to remove the language requirement reflects the challenges faced by the Navajo Nation in a rapidly changing world, but it also serves as a catalyst for renewed efforts to preserve and revitalize the Navajo language. The future of the Navajo language, and indeed the future of Navajo culture, hinges on the choices made by the Navajo people in the years to come. The Navajo president no longer has to speak the Navajo language, is a political move, with a debate about the future of the Navajo language.
The conversation surrounding the Navajo president no longer has to speak the Navajo language goes beyond the qualifications of a single political office. It’s a wider examination of identity, preservation, and the future trajectory of a unique cultural group in the face of modern pressures.