History

In 1846, the United States government assumed jurisdiction of New Mexico and sought to control the Navaho by setting up military forts on or nearby Navaholand. By 1864, the military had rounded up most Navahos and incarcerated them at Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, known to the Navahos as Hwéeldi. This removal from Navaholand and incarceration is known as “The Long Walk.” In 1868, the Navahos were allowed to return home after signing a treaty with the United States government that promised to take care of and educate Navaho children. Although the Navahos abided by the government agreement they were not granted U.S. citizenship until 1926.

The Navaho language was instrumental in defeating the Japanese in World War II. The U.S. military devised a program using Navaho servicemen, called Navaho Code Talkers, to establish a code that would be used as a communication tool during the war. While the Japanese deciphered other languages used in WWII, the Navaho code was never broken. On December 21, 2000 a bill was signed on behalf of Congress and the President to award a gold medal to each of the original twenty-nine Navaho Code Talkers, as well as a silver medal to each man who later qualified as a Navaho Code Talker.

The Navaho Nation has its own government with a President, Vice President and 88 elected council members. Local governments, known as Chapters, elect representatives to the Navaho Nation Council.

Some figures from 1999 that reveal the economic state of the Navaho Nation: the unemployment rate on the Navaho reservation was 45%, per capita income was $6,217 and 68% of Navaho money was spent off the reservation. Thousands of Navahos leave the reservation to seek employment opportunities. Tribal income is derived from gas, oil, and coal leases as well as federal dollars.

The Navaho Tribe, unlike other tribes, is not involved in casino gambling. Twice the Navaho People have voted down gaming, although it is still being considered at the local Chapter level.