20th ANNUAL NACIP POWWOW

By Roberta John

WINDOW ROCK, AZ. – Contestants aren’t going to be the only winners during the 67th Annual Navajo Nation Fair.

That’s because five individuals will be $1,000 or $5,000 richer during the Largest American Indian Fair in North America.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $10 at the Navajo Nation Fair grounds and at various outlets – buyers will have five opportunities to win a cash drawing, however, there is a catch. Buyers must be present at the Indian rodeo where a nightly winner will be announced, which is scheduled to be held on September 4-8th at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds. Fairgoers will have an opportunity to win $1,000 on Wednesday through Saturday and a chance to win $5,000 on Sunday during the last Indian rodeo performance.

Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department Manager Martin L. Begaye, said, “The Navajo Nation Fair is a great opportunity for visitors to learn about Navajo culture. We are very pleased that many visitors enjoy our scenery, but we also want them to know that the true beauty of the Navajo Nation is our unique language, culture and way of life.”

In fact, the theme for the 67th Annual Navajo Nation Fair is “Dine Bizaad Dilzin,” which means Honoring the Navajo Language in Navajo.

Navajo Nation Fair Manager Genevieve Tsouhlarkis, said, “The Navajo Nation Fair is also a great time to visit family and friends. It is a prime venue for the Navajo people and other tribes to showcase their skills whether that be through songs, dances, art, food, livestock or during one of the many different athletic events such as rodeo to a half-marathon.”

Tshouhlarkis added, “The Navajo language is the foundation of who we are as a people. That is why we want to honor all the silent Navajo heroes who are using the Navajo language to help preserve and protect it.”

Such Navajo heroes include Navajo medicine men and women who use the Navajo language in their prayers, songs and ceremonies; the Navajo Code Talkers who used the Navajo language in World War II, Navajo teachers and professors who teach Navajo, Navajo translators, Navajo entertainers who sing in Navajo, Navajo authors, Navajo story tellers and our Navajo elders who are our living cultural treasures.

The 67th Annual Navajo Nation will begin on Monday, September 2, 2013 and kick off with a open junior rodeo and baby contest and slowly pick up during the week with such activities and events as a 4-H horse show, a daily Indian rodeo, two country western concerts, a rock and roll concert, an inter-tribal pow wow, fireworks, a traditional Navajo song and dance, Nizhoni arts market, a fry bread contest, a golf tournament, a night performance and other events.

For more information about the Navajo Nation Fair, call (928) 871-6647 or 6478 or at www.navajonationfair.com