Navajo Historical Selections

Collects stories and articles by Navajos, originally published in Adahoonitigii, the Navajo language monthly newspaper, recording Navajo attitudes and reactions to important events in the history of the Navajo nation.

The selected articles were published in Navajo in a monthly newspaper: Ádahoonílígíí. The newspaper was printed on a single folded sheet of newsprint and distributed from 1943 to 1957 throughout the Reservation and was a predecessor of the contemporary Navajo Times. Ádahoonílígíí was published by the Navajo Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Window Rock, Arizona and contributed to the standardization of Navajo orthography. The only widely available texts intended for a Navajo audience up to that point had been religious publications and parts of Diyin God Bizaad – the Bible. The paper was edited by Robert W. Young and William Morgan, Sr. whose task it was to create a simplified Navajo alphabet with Roman letters found on an English typewriter keyboard.They write in the introduction: “We have endeavored to select the best of these historical accounts, to publish them bilingually in the present volume, and it is our hope that they may be of interest to all persons and students of Navajo history.” We find stories about the traditional Navajo country–about the Four Sacred Mountains and how the clans were created, as well as a story about Navajo scouts on the trail of Geronimo. Articles about the livestock reduction period and the resulting economic and social disaster and the long range 10 year rehabilitation program after World War II are also included.

According to the Navajo Origin Myth, the Genesis of Navajo Religion, the Navajos were created by the Holy People, and were taught by them all of the details of living. Like the Jews of the Old Testament, the Navajo are the Chosen People, Nahasdzaan Bijei the Heart of the World. Their world, the sun, the moon and the stars were created for them, and their way of life was taught to them by Changing Woman, White Shell Woman, and others of the Holy People.

According to the Navajo Origin Myth, the Genesis of Navajo Religion, the Navajos were created by the Holy People, and were taught by them all of the details of living. Like the Jews of the Old Testament, the Navajo are the Chosen People, Nahasdzaan Bijei the Heart of the World. Their world, the sun, the moon and the stars were created for them, and their way of life was taught to them by Changing Woman, White Shell Woman, and others of the Holy People.

"An overview of Navajo history from pre-Columbian time to the present, written for the Navajo community and highlighting Navajo oral history"--

Arguably, the most eloquent, powerful portrayal of Native Americans are written or narrated by Natives themselves. In Native Hermitage, authentic accounts of Natives voices are bought together, some for the first time, for readers who want an informed, authentic perspective about Native Americans. This work is significant because until recent times the literature has been largely devoid of firsthand perspectives. The need for accurate, authentic materials on native Americans has never been greater.

The most complete and current history of the largest American Indian nation in the U.S., based on extensive new archival research, traditional histories, interviews, and personal observation.