Use and spelling Navaho or Navajo

This is a response to many inquiries I have been receiving about word “Navaho” as used in articles on this website.

I have just came back from my trip to the Navajo Nation Museum and library doing research for my articles on this website.

I also visited Saint Michael’s Historical Museum near Window Rock, AZ where the Franciscan Fathers wrote ” An ethnologic dictionary of the Navaho language (1910).

Navajo Museum 1

Navajo Nation Museum – Photo by Harold Carey Jr.

Saint Michael’s Historical Museum

Saint Michael’s Historical Museum – Photo by Harold Carey Jr.

From Research on literature of the Southwest I have come up with the following:

Its origin is described in the “Ethnologic Dictionary of the Navaho Language”.

“The word Navaho, or originally, Navajo, is first mentioned and applied to this tribe of Indians by Fray Alonzo Benavides O. F. M., in his “Memorial to the King of Spain” written in 1630. After describing the Gila Apaches, Benavides says that more than fifty leagues north of these “one encounters the Province of the Apaches of Navajo.

Although they are the same Apache nation as the foregoing, they are subject and subordinate to another Chief Captain, and have a distinct mode of living. For those of back yonder did not use to plant, but sustained themselves by the chase; today we have broken land for them and taught them to plant.

But these of Navajo are very great farmers, for that is what Navajo signifies—great planted fields.”
1. Franciscan Fathers. Ethnologic Dictionary of the Navaho Language.

The Navahos call themselves: “Dine” which means men or people and in conversing with them they will tell you that “Dine” simply means “The People”.

The list below is from a search of works published by various authors interested in Southwestern archaeology and ethnology by writers using “ho” or “jo”.

NAVAHO
Hosteen Klah: Navaho Medicine Man and Sand Painter by Franc Johnson Newcomb (May 28, 2012)
The Enduring Navaho [Paperback]Laura Gilpin (Author) Publication Date: 1987
The Navaho by Clyde & lLighton, Dorothea Kluckhohn (1974)
Navaho Witchcraft by Clyde Kluckhohn (1995)
Navaho Indian Myths (Native American) by Aileen O’Bryan (Jun 14, 1993)
The Dine: Origin Myths of the Navaho Indians (Forgotten Books) by Aileen Warner O’Bryan (May 7, 2008)
Origin Myths of the Navaho Indians by Aileen O’Bryan; BAEB 163 [1956]
Navaho Myths, Prayers, and Songs by Washington Matthews; UCPAAE 5:2 [1906]

NAVAJO
Navajo Texts. by Pliny Earle Goddard (Jan 1, 1933)
Navajo Indians by Dane Coolidge and R. Mary (Jun 1930)
Navajo gambling songs – Matthews, Washington, 1843-1905
A study of Navajo symbolism (Volume v. 32 no. 3) – Newcomb, Franc Johnson
The Navajo and his blanket – Hollister, Uriah S., 1838-1929
The Navajo Indians; a statement of facts – Weber, Anselm, Father, 1862-1921
The making of a Navajo blanket – Pepper, George H. (George Hubbard), 1873-1924
The gentile system of the Navajo Indians – Matthews, Washington, 1843-1905

George Wharton James has an explanation for the use of NAVAHO and we quote the paragraph. “It will be observed that I follow the Americanized and rational form of spelling the name NAVAHO. Why people should consent to use the misleading and unnecessary form of the name NAVAJO, is beyond me.

Every stranger to the Spanish tongue—and there are millions who are thus strange—naturally pronounce this Na-va-joe, and cannot be blamed. Yet it does give the One-who-knows the opportunity to laugh at him, and perhaps this is the reason the Spanish form is retained.

Were the name one of Spanish origin we might be reconciled to that form of spelling, but as it is a name belonging to a tribe of Amerinds who were here and had been here for centuries when the Spaniards came, there is no reason why they should have fixed upon them forever a European method of spelling their name”.

2. James, George Wharton. “Indian Blankets and their Makers.” A. O. McClurg and Co., Chicago. 1920.

For justifying the use of Navaho in the Dictionary of the English Language and find in Funk and Wagnalls: “Navaho, an important and rapidly increasing branch of Athapascan Indians dwelling in New Mexico and Arizona; employed in herding blanket making, silver smithing, and as laborers in railroad and ether public works.
“Navajo” is the preference shown in Websters New International Dictionary.

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 2012

September 7th – 9th, 2012

Navajo Nation Fairgrounds Window Rock, AZ

Appreciating Tradition.”

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 1

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 2

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 3

 

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 4

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 5

PowWow Navajo Nation Fair 6

 

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRI. | SEPT. 7
12PM | REGISTRATION
5PM-630PM | GOURD DANCE
630PM | SUPPER BREAK
730PM | GRAND ENTRY
11PM | CONCLUDES

SAT. | SEPT. 8
10AM | REGISTRATION
11AM-130PM | GOURD DANCE
2PM | GRAND ENTRY
5PM | SUPPER BREAK
7PM | GRAND ENTRY
830 |  CROWNING
2012-2013 POWWOW PRINCESS
11PM | CONCLUDES

SUN. | SEPT. 9
10AM-1130AM | GOURD DANCE
12PM | GRAND ENTRY
5PM | CONCLUDES

ADMISSION
GENERAL ADMISSION ONLY.
NO ARENA ADMISSION.

GENERAL ADMISSION
$5 ADULTS
$3 CHILD/SR

EVENT COORDINATORS:
TONY PARKER 505.903.2247
MATT SHEKA SR 505.903.2247

DRUM CONTEST

HOST NORTHERN
IRON HORSE
NORTHWEST REGION, USA/CANADA

HOST SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN OUTLAWS
NAVAJO NATION, USA

MASTER OF CEREMONIES | JASON GOODSTRIKER, CALGARY, ALB, CANADA
ARENA DIRECTOR | LEVI NEPOOSE, HOBBEMA, ALB, CANADA
HEAD JUDGE | DOUGIE RAIN, PAUL FIRST NATION, ALB, CANADA
HEAD MAN | SHELDON SHEBALA, COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
HEAD LADY | ARIANNE SHEKA, FT. DEFIANCE, ARIZONA
GOURD MC | ANDY COZAD, DENVER, COLORADO
HEAD GOURD DANCER | JOHN EMHOOLAH, DENVER, COLORADO
HEAD DRUM JUDGE | STEVE TOYA, ZIA PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO

SPECIALS
JR & TEEN BOYS FANCY
MEN’S FANCY SPOTLIGHT CONTEST
OUTGOING POWWOW PRINCESS CONTEST SPECIAL | TBA
HEAD MAN SPECIAL | MEN’S NORTHERN TRADITIONAL 18 & UP
HEAD LADY SPECIAL | IRON WOMEN’S FANCY SHAWL, $2000 WINNER TAKE ALL

NAVAJO NATION MUSEUM
SPECIAL EVENTS SECTION
P.O. Box 2370 Window Rock, AZ 86515
928.871.7941
www.navajonationfair.com

Open Indian Rodeo – Navajo Nation Fair 2012

September 4-9, 2012
Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena
NN Fairgrounds – Window Rock, AZ

Open Indian Rodeo - Navajo Nation Fair 2012


Entries Open: July 9th, 2012
Entries Close: August 10, 2012
Walk Ins: August 24, 2012 at the Navajo Nation Museum

OPEN INDIAN RODEO
DEAN C JACKSON MEMORIAL ARENA
AWARD TO ALL-AROUND COWBOY AND COWGIRL
BUCKLE TO EVENT WINNERS


Short Go for all events: top 10 (except for ladies and team roping).

Open to Native Americans with recognized tribal ID proof required. One time $25 office fee.
For paid purpose you must submit a W–9 with your entry form and have a valid ID in your possession in order to receive your cash award.


ENTRY FEES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IN MONEY ORDER OR CASHIERS CHECKS FORM PAYABLE TO NAVAJO NATION
ENTRY/WAIVER FORM

 

EVENT LIMIT FEE ADDED ROUND FINALS
BAREBACK 20 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
SADDLE BRONC 30 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
BULL RIDING 80 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
TIE DOWN 60 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
STEER WRESTLING 70 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
BARREL RACING NL $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
LADIES BREAKAWAY 80 $200 $5,000 2 go $2,000
LADIES TEAM ROPING 2X 200 $400 $10,000 2 go $2,000
LADIES TEAM ROPING1X 40 $150 $1,500 2 go $2,000

Entries open July 9, 2012. First to enter last to go. Entries close with postmarked by August 10, 2012 $20 late fee after August 10.
Walk-in entries: August 24, 2012 at Navajo National Museum

EVENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 4
8AM – slack

Wednesday, September 5
8AM – slack

Friday, September 7
12 PM first performance
7 PM second performance

Saturday, September 8
1 PM third performance

Sunday, September 9
12 PM final four

Admission
Tuesday  – No admission
Wednesday – NO admission
Friday and Sunday  – $12 adults $6 child and seniors

 

CONTESTANT INFORMATION

The 66th Annual Navajo Nation Fair Indian Rodeo (NNFIR) shall be open to all Native American contestants who have a blood quantum of one fourth (1/4) American  Indian heritage or who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe. The Special Events Section (SES) of the Navajo Nation Fair reserves the right to request for proof of blood quantum or enrollment status. Failure of a contestant to show proof of blood quantum or enrollment when requested may be cause for disqualification of the contestant, and forfeiture of entry fess and any money won at the rodeo.

 

ENTRIES

Entries for the 66th Annual NNFIR will open on July 9, 2012. Entry forms will be available on the website – www.navajonationfair.com – and at other Indian rodeos. Mail-in entries will close on August 10, 2012. All entry forms and payment for entries must be sent to: Navajo Nation Fair Indian Rodeo, c/o Navajo Nation Museum, Post Office Box 1840, Window Rock, AZ 86515. Payment for entry fees must be by money order or cashier’s check. NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED. All contestants shall pay entry fees for the contest events entered in FULL at the time of entry closing of entries on August 15, 2012. Entry fees are $200.00 for all events except Ladies Teams which is $150. A one-time office charge of $25.00 must be included with your payment. Mail-in entries must be received by August 15, 2012 regardless of postmark date. Entry fees in the team roping shall be paid in full by both team members (partners) at the time of entry closing to be considered entered. If entry fees are not paid in full by entry closing the team shall be scratched from entry list.

Late entries will accepted for any position not filled during the regular entry period. Late entries will be walk-in only and will incur a $20.00 late fine. All walk-in entries must be paid with money order or cashier’s check. NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED. Walk-in entries will be taken from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday, August 24, 2012 at the Rodeo Office at the Navajo Nation Museum. Positions will be posted on www.navajonationfair.com prior to opening of late entries. Walk-ins will receive their position when entering. There will be no call backs for walk-in entries.

 

TIME EVENTS

Ladies Team Roping (LT) will be one go round with no finals. Twenty Five (25) teams will run in a slack and twenty (15) will run during a performance (5/perf Thurs, Fri & Sat). Tie down Roping (TD), Steer Wrestling (SW), Team Roping (TR), Ladies Breakaway Roping (LR) and Ladies Barrels (LB) contestants shall compete in two complete go-rounds with the first go round being held in a slack performance. The contestants with the top forty (40) times will compete during the four (4) performances with ten (10) contestants per performance/event and the remaining contestant will compete their 2nd go competition run during the 2nd go slack performance. Those contestants making trades will be one hour after the top 40 list is posted at Rodeo Office. Only horses needed during actual competition in the event will be allowed in the box during any timed event and/or noncompetitive runs. All contestants who have completed their runs shall immediately exit the arena. The arena shall always remain clear of non-competing contestants while events are in progress. Only those personnel who are authorized to be in the arena shall remain in the arena. The timers in the time events shall blow a whistle at the end of a set time limit indicating a “no time”.

 

PAYOUT

Prize money payout for the 66th Annual NNFIR will be made by check and no checks will be released to anyone but the winning contestant. Payoff scale will be according to PRCA/WPRA rulebooks. Contestant must complete a W-9 form with proper identification numbers and present two forms of identification (one must be picture ID) to receive prize money check(s). At year-end all contestants earnings $600.00 or more will receive a 1099 form. The NNFIR Rodeo Secretary will do payoff checks at the end of each go-round. Rodeo office hours will be posted on the post board. Any prize money check that has to be replaced for any reason after Sunday, September 11, 2012 will incur a $25.00 replacement fee.

ALL AROUND

All Around Champions must compete in two or more events. The Contestants who wins the most money in two or more events will win the All Around title. If no contestant wins money in two or more events, the contestant entering two or more events who wins the most money will win the All Around title. Money won by ladies in the men’s TR will count for the Ladies All-Around.

1. Men’s All Around – Men’s Events – BB, SB, BR, SW, TD, and TR (1 run only counts)

2. Ladies All Around – Ladies Events – LB, LR, LT and TR (1 run only counts)

Nizhoni Arts Market 2012

Nizhoni Arts Market  

At the 66th Annual 
September 6 – 9, 2012

Nizhoni Arts Market  2012

Nizhoni Arts Market 2012
Photo by Harold Carey Jr

Hózhó Náhásdlíí’-Harmony in the Making
Our mission is to achieve Hózhó through contemporary and traditional exhibits, program, tours; to promote our Diné culture, language, history and sovereignty.

ARTIST VENDOR INFORMATION
Clarenda Begay, Coordinator
Cell # (928) 592-2813

Welcome to the 3nd Annual Nizhoni Arts Market at the Navajo Nation Fair. The Nizhoni Arts Market to Feature “World Class” Authentic Arts by Renowned and Up & Coming Navajo Artisans.

Gorman Hall: Indoor set-up on Thursday, September 6, 2012, from 8:00 am. to 10:00 am

Early Booth Registration: 10×10’ booth space with 1 – 6’ x 2’ ½” table and 2 chairs. Early Booth Registration fee $250.00 through August 17, 2012, thereafter the booth fee is $300.00 till the booths are filled. Vendors are responsible for reporting sales tax (4%) to the Navajo Nation Tax Commission for further information call (928) 871-6681.

Market Hours:
Thursday, September 6, 2012 – 10:00 to 5:00 pm
Friday, September 7, 2012 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 8, 2012 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 9, 2012 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sharing of Booth: Optional! You are allowed to share a booth with one other artist. Return the Sharing Artist’s Application with Your Application.

Payment: Artist Mail Application and Money Order to (ABSOLUTELY NO Personal Checks will be Accepted)

Navajo Nation Museum
ATTN: NAM/Clarenda Begay
P.O. Box 1840,
Window Rock, Arizona 86515

Ms. Begay may also be contacted by email at Clarenda@navajonationmuseum.org or by cell at (928) 592-2813.
A receipt will be issued when payment is received.

Media: The Navajo Nation Museum advertises the market In the Native Peoples magazine, as well as local newspapers and radio stations. The museum staff has distributed information at the Heard Market and will have a non-profit booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market in August to promote the market.

Cancellation Policy: There will be no refunds due to cancellations for any reason. The NAM Coordinator reserves the right to reassign artist booth for the best interest of the NNM Nizhoni Arts Market due to artist cancellations or no-shows.

Proof of Tribal Verification: All artists are required to provide proof of identification to include Certification of Indian Blood (CIB) and Drivers License for age division.

Security: Security to be available at Gorman Hall beginning August 30th through September 9th.

Artist Reception: Thursday, September 6, 2012 – 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Location will be disclosed to Artists at Check-In.

Artist Booth Demonstration: Welcomed & Appreciated.

Quality Control: The NAM Coordinator and Museum Staff will be roving the booths for unacceptable arts for sale. You will be asked to remove the items of concern and a second verbal notification you will be asked to leave the premises with your art.

Navajo Transit Services: A chartered bus will be transporting buyers, collectors and tourist from the Navajo Nation Museum parking lot to main entrance at the Navajo Nation Fair, Gate #4 and return to the Navajo Nation Museum.

Artist Parking Area: Artists are encouraged to use Gate #2. One parking pass will be issued to the invited artist for Gate#2, near the Song & Dance arena. Bring a dolly to transfer your arts into Gorman Hall. Your passengers will have to pay a General entrance fee of $5.00 at the gate. Do not park vehicle along the midway or around or behind Gorman Hall.

Photographs: Photographs of artist and booths may be taken throughout the Nizhoni Arts Market for publicity purposes to promote the Nizhoni Arts Market and Navajo Nation Fair.

Trash: Trash bags will be provided daily for the vendors, Please flatten all cardboard boxes and put in dumpster located behind Gorman Hall. Booth space must be maintained in a clean and tidy manner.

Altercations: Any artist who is involved in any verbal or physical altercations will be asked to leave with their art and not permitted to return. The market is a drug free environment and no pets or firearms are permitted.

NIZHONI ARTS MARKET
RULES & REGULATIONS

TRADE MARK: The artists mark to appear on his/her workmanship is required on all art. All original works displayed must be designed and created by the invited artist or by artist sharing the booth space.

General: No imported, manufactured or mass produced items such as T-Shirts, mouse pads, coasters and magnets. Also, not acceptable are work produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns or prefabricated forms.

Artifacts & Ceremonial Objects: No imported, manufactured or mass produced items and no display of culturally sensitive artifacts. The committee will not allow any use of materials, such as raptors feathers or endangered species. Display or sale of ceremonial objects is strictly prohibited. The NAM Coordinator will request the removal of items.

Pottery: Commercially produced pottery, slip molds, or green ware are strictly prohibited. Contemporary pottery forms are acceptable. Hand coiled or wheel thrown are acceptable. Kiln-fired pots and pots made or decorated with commercial materials must be properly identified.

Jewelry: Traditional, contemporary and evolving jewelry. No false representation of materials or origins will be tolerated.

Paintings & Drawings: No wet canvases will be available for sale.

Prints: Only professional prints of high quality may be sold.

Weaving: Rugs, blankets, belts and purses must be handmade. All natural yarns and dyes are acceptable. Synthetic or acrylic yarn must be properly labeled. No productions made from commercial kits or patterns.

Textiles: Sewing machine work is acceptable. No commercially made clothing, liquid embroidery or products made from kits are allowed.

Dolls & Carvings: Dolls in traditional categories must use materials historically associated with its native culture. Artists are not to display dolls of tribes other than their own tribal affiliation.

Bead, Quill & Leather: No plastic pony beads or “Bead Stringers”. Commercially tanned hide work must be labeled.