To introduce you the Navajo World, we have interviewed some Navajo People:

• Denisa Livingston (Student in Las Vegas )
• Christopher Shiwaan Johnson (General Laborer)
• Rebecca Allen (Student in Liberal Arts at Diné College )
• Jerry Manheimer Jr. (Student in Fine Arts at Diné College )
• LeClair Yazzie (Teacher in Business Management Technology and Web Design)
• Shawn Deschenie (Business teacher in high school)

"People who are coming in Navajoland have to be open-minded and interested."

Exchange

What do you think about exchanges between the Dine and other cultures?

"It is important for the Dine people to be exposed to the World, to show our culture, on the reality? Most of the people don’t know Navajos exist. Exchanges are very important. People have to know that because of globalization, there is a new culture in young Navajos. Young people travel more than the older people, especially those who are traditionalists."

"It is good for people to come in Navajoland. Some people are afraid to travel, to come over seas, but not me.
I have already been to France , and I will go to Japan next year."

"I think it is hard for other nationalities to understand our culture. It is difficult because it is very complex. There is a lot of spirituality, and we are in harmony with nature. We cannot upset the bounds of nature, we cannot kill the nature. It is hard to explain, because not many cultures are like that. Navajo culture is complex: you have to be born into, to be raised into. Our culture is a real way of life."

"Excellent idea and good opportunity to share cultures with other people."

Environment

What do you think about Diné Environment Preservation?

"Allow tours to be taken on the reservation with goals in mind as far as benefiting museums, schools, elders, etc."

"It is really important to us. Earth is our mother, we need to preserve it."

"I think we have been preserving the earth since day one.
Our ancestors lived in harmony with Mother Nature since day one. When modern culture evolved, a lot of preservation techniques became extinct for the sake of convince and profit."

"It's good in that we need to preserve the land and landmarks that mean something to the people."

"I think it is a very good idea.
My idea would be for the Nation to adopt a stricter environmental control over mining and recycling."

How would you like to preserve the environment of the Diné with other cultures?

"Through travel and exchange programs."

"We need to take care of our land. So we have to educate people, teach to them."

"Join in with organizations that want to preserve the natural resources of this earth. Practicing modern techniques of preservation takes a change in behavior, motivation and knowledge."

"Share ideas and how to protect and preserve the land and its importance to the people."

"More museums and more culture interactions."

Culture

What do you want to preserve in your culture?

"Language is the most important."

"I want to preserve our history, language, traditional songs, our way of life and to preserve."

"My language would certainly be the one aspect of my culture I'd like to preserve."

What would you like to share the most with other cultures?

"History and language."

"I would like to share weaving. My mum teaches me how to do that."

"I would like to share food. There is a lot of different ways to prepare food (corn, bread…)."

"The traditional values and beliefs of being Navajo and we are positive people who value family."

"The traditional and contemporary art of my people I'd like to share with other cultures."

Do you think other cultures know about yours? 

"NO, I want to explain to them CULTURE AND LOCATION OF RESERVATION."

"Yes, I think they only know what is presented to them through the movies of Hollywood."

What do you think about Diné Culture Preservation?

'Language and culture, we need to introduce to them through exchange programs."

"It is important to preserve who we are: Indian people. A lot of stuffs make our own identity (long hair for example)."

"I think preservation of the Dine Culture also takes change in behavior, motivation and knowledge.
When you talk of the “ Dine Way of Life”, there is no one definition; therefore every person lives it differently. If a person wants to learn more about it, then they and if they like it…then maybe they will change their behavior. It’s all based on their motivation and reasons of changing their lifestyle."

"I think it is very important for my people to do so.
I would have the educational system implement a course on culture awareness."

How would you like to preserve the culture of the Diné with other cultures?

"I think that children have to understand our way of life. We have to teach things to the young people."

"I would like for other cultures to establish museums and cultural centers for the Diné."

Tradition

What do you think about Diné Tradition Preservation?

"It is important to preserve traditions. It is who we are, the Diné. Future generations would be able to identify themselves and not be lost, and keep this land. They would be able to remember people, because they deserve to be remembered."

"I think it is needed, but it is not shared easily.
People with knowledge in Dine Tradition will not just share this information with just anyone. The motivation and reasons for the teacher must be present."

"It's important for my people to let other cultures know about our traditions
I think a traditional based web site would help preserve a lot of our traditions."

How would you like to preserve the traditions of the Diné with other cultures?

"Make our tribe known traveling exhibits throughout the world."

"I would like to share with them things they cannot understand. They are some areas we cannot discuss with other culture. We have to be careful."

Social

What do you think about Diné Social Preservation?

"We need to socialize with other people of the world."

"Most of people think Indians are all the same. It has to be something different than that. We have to preserve the way we can be recognized."

"I think it is being preserved by recording and publishing history, language, songs, etc.
Our ancestors practiced “oral” social interactions. Today, those interactions are being recorded in a modern form."

How would you like to preserve the social of the Diné with other cultures?

"We can do that by educating people on our traditions. We have to introduce our culture to them."

"Some social events and traditions should be exclusive to the Diné for preservation purposes."

Art

Do you think Art can link people from different cultures?

"Yes, sharing with other cultures at festivals, galleries, and possibly in homes."

"Art is common language everyone with sight can relate to."

"Art translates into many different languages without the help of a translator."

How would you like to discover Art from other cultures?

"I would like to discover Art from other cultures by books about art and history."

"Taking courses dealing with art is something I have experienced. Traveling and actually being there will make the learning experience so much memorable."

"Travel to other nations and learn from the place not just books."

"I would love to visit the many museums of the world myself."

We support Traditional Preservation of the Diné including Environment, Culture, and Social Preservation, what are the great objectives for you to keep the Dine people on that way?

"I guess I can tell people how to preserve culture. We don’t think all the same. Some students here are away from the Dine culture. We have to educate people, teach to the younger generation. The target is the younger generation, because they will remember more. My generation is not taking up preservation."

"I guess educating them about those topics, teaching self-awareness, environmental protection, and about other cultures."

"Teaching the younger generation the value of all that is Navajo."