Navajo Nation advances education sovereignty through new textbook and Diné Studies programs

The Navajo Nation is strengthening its education system through tribally led curricula, language revitalization and higher education initiatives, according to The Daily Yonder. The Navajo Nation Council allocated $172,500 for a Navajo government textbook to be written entirely by Navajo scholars and published in both English and Navajo.

Wendy Greyeyes, a professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico, said the initiative gives Navajo authors the opportunity to shape their own history. Rose Graham, director of the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship & Financial Assistance, said the textbook will help students deepen their cultural understanding and foster pride in their identity.

At Navajo Technical University the Diné Studies Ph.D. program has reached record-high enrollment, with faculty noting the program embeds language, history and cultural perspective throughout its curriculum.