"For our Navajo people" : Diné letters, speeches & petitions, 1900-1960 / edited by Peter Iverson ; photo editor, Monty Roessel.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Iverson, Peter.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Navajo Indians--History--Sources.

Navajo Indians.

Navajo Indians--Correspondence.

Speeches, addresses, etc., Navajo.

Navajo Indians--Government relations.

History.

Genre:

Correspondence.

Sources.

Personal correspondence.

Physical Description:

xviii, 275 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Albuquerque : University of New Mexico Press, [2002]

Summary:

Using previously unpublished material, this book presents Navajo perspectives on key issues of land, community, education, rights, government, and identity.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Land 3

1. Chee Dodge addresses the problems that would occur with the end of trust status and the division of tribal lands, February 2, 1914 4

2. Chee Dodge writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs about Navajo oil resources, March 2, 1923 5

3. Tribal Council members consider land use issues, July 8, 1926 6

4. Jacob C. Morgan opposes using the Navajo oil fund to purchase new reservation lands, February 18, 1927 8

5. John H. Lee protests a decision denying him access to grazing lands, October 11, 1936 11

6. Adolph Maloney favors one version of livestock reduction, August 9, 1937 13

7. Chee Dodge notes the challenges and problems inherent in the use of land resources, April 20, 1938 14

8. Navajo Tribal Council members question Superintendent Fryer about the details of livestock reduction, May 15, 1939 15

9. Scott Preston and others write to their congressional representative about current federal grazing policies, February 14, 1940 22

10. Manuel Denetso criticizes the imposition of land management districts, July 5, 1940 24

11. Paul Jones reports that Hopis are taking wood from Navajo land, January 13, 1944 28

12. Deshna Clah Cheschillige emphasizes the importance of developing "our country," July 19, 1944 28

13. Mrs. Chiquito fears she will lose her land, May 17, 1947 29

14. Tom Jones, Rachel Laughter, and others describe the "Big Snow," January 1, 1948 30

15. Dewey Etsitty attacks the donkey and praises the elephant, April 18, 1953 32

16. Marcus Kanuho and Sevier Vaughn review Navajo-Hopi relations, December 8, 1954 33

17. Paul Jones advocates getting "our money's worth on oil" and explains that industry can help the Tribe provide for the needy, October 6, 1955, and January 18, 1956 37

18. Gray Valentine looks at contemporary oil development and remembers past promises, January 19, 1956 39

Chapter 2 Community 49

19. St. Michaels residents petition to the President to add land to the reservation, February 26, 1924 50

20. Greasewood chapter officers ask for a boarding school and Round Rock chapter asks for a day school, April 14, 1932 and March 20, 1939 52

21. Shonto and Lukachukai residents let the Commissioner of Indian Affairs know they need better roads, June 15, 1935 and February 1937 54

22. Toadlena chapter officers inform Dr. W. W. Peter that a physician is needed in their community, January 30, 1937 56

23. Kinlichee chapter members request that their Christmas wish be granted, December 25, 1937 57

24. Eastern Navajo area residents doubt the author of the Taylor Grazing Act knows anything about them, n.d. 58

25. Lake Valley Chapter members demand their teacher be fired, July 26, 1940 61

26. Rock Point residents protest the transfer of a range rider, November 18, 1940 63

27. Mariano Lake chapter members present a problem with horses, October 26, 1943 64

28. Twin Lakes residents call for the end of the Mexican Springs soil conservation station, November 22, 1943 66

29. Many Farms chapter members argue for the end of livestock reduction until the war is over, November 23, 1943 67

Chapter 3 Education 77

30. Jacob C. Morgan (Hampton Institute) reports his activities, August 27, 1902 78

31. Yanapah Tsosie and Sam Ahkeah (San Juan School) report on a visitor's speech, June 1910 79

32. Lilly Julian (Sherman Institute) and Katherine Atencia (Albuquerque Indian School) describe life at school in 1914 80

33. Alice Becenti (Sherman Institute) writes about homesickness, money, and other concerns, August 24, 1914; November 3, 1915; May 1916 82

34. Grace Padilla (Sherman Institute) asks when she can come home, June 24, 1914; July 19, 1914 85

35. Gertrude Lynch (St. Michaels School) presents her summer plans, April 19, 1915 87

36. John Charles (Haskell Institute) wonders about his future, November 30, 1915 88

37. Chee Dodge calls on the government not to use force in sending children to school, April 20, 1925 90

38. Waldo Emerson (Fort Wingate) clarifies why he may not continue to stay in school, November 10, 1935 91

39. Sally Kinlichini asks that her son return home and Lucy Harvey explains why her children are not in school, November 26, 1935, and March 1938 92

40. Alice Clark invites the director of Navajo education to Toadlena School, May 17, 1940 93

41. Sam Gorman speaks about the value of a good education, February 2, 1941, and November 4, 1953 94

42. Chee Dodge summarizes the changes in Navajo perspectives about education, May 20, 1946 99

43. Roger Davis calls for compulsory education, February 18, 1947 101

44. Lilly Neil explains the situation in the checkerboard area, September 8, 1947 103

45. Hoskie Cronemeyer advocates an emphasis on English in the schools, August 11, 1952 106

46. Sam Ahkeah emphasizes the importance of higher education, July 20, 1953 108

47. Alice John Bedoni (Phoenix Indian School) stresses the value of education, June 1, 1954 108

48. Dillon Platero reviews current problems, needs, and accomplishments, January 25, 1960 110

Chapter 4 Rights 121

49. Peshlakai and other leaders support the federal government, November 29, 1908 122

50. Be-zho-she describes a confrontation with Superintendent William Shelton, November 1, 1913 123

51. John Yazza and Willie George write from prison, June 24, 1916, and July 8, 1922 128

52. Nelson Etcitty chastises Superintendent Samuel Stacher, April 4, 1922, and April 21, 1922 129

53. Howard Gorman speaks out about the traders, December 20, 1939 and July 2, 1940 132

54. Roger Davis calls for the Navajos to receive the same kind of benefits as non-Indian farmers and ranchers, June 6, 1940 135

55. The Navajo Rights Association approves by-laws and resolutions, October and November, 1940 137

56. Deshna Clah Cheschillige advocates Navajo rights, December 8, 1940 142

57. Private Ralph Anderson demands the right to vote, April 30, 1943 144

58. Evans Holly, Jack Jones, James Oliver, and Sam Capitan document some of the challenges facing the Native American Church, August 29, 1944, April 15, 1945, and May 8, 1945 145

59. Julia Denetclaw tries in vain to register to vote, May 6, 1946 148

60. Annie Wauneka raises questions about the status of Navajo water rights, May 3, 1952 148

61. Frank Bradley reveals the problems experienced by Navajos working off the reservation, November 3, 1953 150

62. Annie Wauneka addresses health care, November 2, 1953, October 12, 1955, and January 15, 1959 152

63. Howard Gorman discusses the need for legal assistance for individual Navajos, October 9, 1958 158

Chapter 5 Government 160

64. Atsidi Nez calls for one boss for all of the Navajos, December 31, 1920 161

65. Jacob C. Morgan declares Chee Dodge and his friends are trying to force him off the tribal council, May 20, 1927 162

66. Deshna Clah Cheschillige speaks about the needs of the people, June 1, 1933 164

67. Tom Dodge says the Tribal Council must deal with traders, soil erosion, and missionaries, October 30, 1933 166

68. Jacob C. Morgan employs the example of Booker T. Washington, March 12, 1934 169

69. Jim Shirley complains about administrators taking too much of the Tribal Council's time, April 9, 1934 171

70. Chee Dodge recommends the removal of Superintendent E. R. Fryer, April 20, 1936 172

71. Tom Dodge resigns as chairman of the Tribal Council, May 7, 1936 175

72. Tom Dodge characterizes Jacob Morgan as the Navajo Hitler, March 24, 1938 177

73. Jacob C. Morgan articulates his hopes for his administration, November 8, 1938 179

74. Jacob C. Morgan addresses the role of the Tribal Council, March 7, 1939 181

75. Chairman Jacob C. Morgan denies the right of Vice Chairman Howard Gorman to speak during a Tribal Council meeting, May, 15, 1939 184

76. Tsehe Notah talks about the need to plan for our own people, July 5, 1940 185

77. Notah Begay supports a range rider, November 19, 1940 187

78. Howard Gorman reports to E. R.

Fryer on Tom Dodge and Chee Dodge, January 28, 1941 188

79. Robert Martin and other Tribal Council members provide Congress with a list of grievances, April 1946 193

80. Dewey Etsitty and Roger Davis argue the traders must pay more rent, June 26, 1948 195

81. Ned Hatathli urges the Tribal Council to plan for the future, October 14, 1955 198

82. Annie Wauneka analyzes the job being done by the general counsel, January 23, 1956 200

83. Howard Gorman clarifies the significance of Williams v. Lee, January 13, 1959 202

Chapter 6 Identity 212

84. Chee Dodge warns people about a short rope, November 16, 1905 213

85. Clitso D. Dedman seeks Lorenzo Hubbell's advice, September 9, 1912 214

86. Gehbah Manuelito and Ed Becenti disapprove of Navajo ceremonies, August 18, 1929 214

87. Toadlena schoolchildren explain how a rug is created, how sheep are cared for, and how a hogan is constructed, ca. 1930 216

88. Tom Dodge refutes an inaccurate magazine article about the Navajos, February 25, 1933 219

89. Roy Kinsel, Mattie Denet Dale, John Harvey, Hola Tso, Scott Preston, and David Clark furnish conflicting testimony about peyote, May 9, 1940, and May 15, 1946 222

90. Navajo Code Talkers use their language and imagination, 1942-1945 230

91. Private Ralph W. Anderson asks for support during World War II, July 3, 1943 233

92. Dan Keyonie reminds John Collier that Navajos are fighting for him, July 10, 1943 234

93. Sam Ahkeah lauds the sacrifices of Navajo soldiers and calls for an end to livestock reduction and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, July 9, 1943 235

94. David Clah categorizes sheep as "a thing of the past," February 19, 1947 237

95. Jim Hale and Eugene Gordy explain why sheep and horses still matter, June 28, 1948 and August 20, 1951 238

96. Alfred Damon considers changing times, ca. 1952 241

97. Howard Gorman and Sam Ahkeah examine the importance of preserving traditional ceremonial knowledge, March 2, 1954 245

98. R. C. Gorman stresses the value of military service, April 1, 1954 248

99. Ned Hatathali notes the altered place of livestock in the Navajo economy, September 19, 1957 250

100. Paul Jones outlines issues, achievements, and opportunities, January 1959 253

Student drawing, Toadlena School 41

Navajo horses during stock reduction 42

Dine receiving money for "surplus horses" 43

Sheep grazing 44

Student drawing, Toadlena School 45

Oil rig and horse 46

Windmill, well, and wagon 47

Navajo lumber crew 48

Judging corn, Church Rock 69

Dipping sheep, Fort Defiance 70

Judging lambs, Canoncito 71

Getting a car out of the mud 72

Building a road, Tohatchi 73.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-269) and index.

ISBN:

0826327176

0826327184

OCLC:

49627634