Navajo Nation: Difference between revisions

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=== Clan System<br> ===

Just like any other civilization, precautionary steps were taken to limit intermarriages among immediate family members.&nbsp; The Navajo established family clans, with the maternal line being the predominate line.&nbsp; When introducing one self, a Navajo will provide their parent's clan and typically their maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather's clan, establishing your place in the world.&nbsp; For a more detailed list of clans, a short history and a brief introduction, [http://www.lapahie.com/Dine_Clans.cfm click here, clans].<br>

=== Agencies ===

Like most civilizations throughout the world, geography plays a crucial role in Navajo life, mythology, religion, and history. In more modern times, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Reservation reservation] boundaries have been established by the United States of America on behalf of the Navajo Indians and over time those boundaries have changed. Learning local history can also help with understanding family history. Current boundaries for the Navajo Reservation is about 24,078,127 square miles, making it the largest Indian reservation in the United States. It covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. There are also three seperate entites which are also under Navajo jurisdiction:&nbsp;the Ramah Navajo Indian Reservation, the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation, and the Tohajiilee Indian Reservation.<br><br>Tribal lands are trust lands and as a result there are no private land owners, and all Tribal Trust land is owned in common and administered by the Nation's government.&nbsp; There are also BIA Indian Allotment lands which are privately owned by the heirs and generations of the original BIA&nbsp;Indian Allotee to whom it was issued.&nbsp; Tribal Trust lands are leased to both customary land users (may include homesites, grazing, and other uses) and organizations (may include BIA&nbsp;and other federal agencies, churches, and other religious organizations, as well as private or commercial businesses).<br><br>  

 

Below is a Navajo Nation Public Service Map

 

[[Image:Map of Navajo Nation Public Health Service.jpg|frame|center|450x375px]]<br>  

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For a different and more detailed map with locations in Navajo, click: [http://www.lapahie.com/Navajo_Map_Lg.cfm Navajo Reservation Map]<br>

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The Navajo have a complex polythesis belief system which dictates how to treat oneself, others, and one's environment.&nbsp; As the Spanish penetrated present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they introduced Spanish Christianity to the Navajos.&nbsp; The Navajos called Catholic priests and missionaries Bi’ee’dahninnezi (Catholic: the one with long clothes).&nbsp; There are some documentations from Spanish sources which include Navajo names, but usually the names are too generic to pinpoint ancestors.&nbsp; Mexican documentation also has this shortcoming. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>By the late 1800's, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) began moving into and settling southern Utah, Arizona and western New Mexico.&nbsp; The Navajos called these people, Gaamalii (Mormons: the fat ones that are coming).&nbsp; Mission records, missionaries and settlers wrote a number of journals and diaries that can include Navajo family names.&nbsp; Baptismal records and Church membership records are harder to come by and are usually limited to Church members only.&nbsp; But, baptismal and Church membership records in earlier times are very limited as to the fact that when Navajos were incorporated into the Church, the Church did not have plans of establishing or maintaining religious contact with the Navajos unless there was a dire need. &nbsp; <br><br>As the United States gained control over present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they began assigning religious groups to the different tribes.&nbsp; Mainly the Bi’ee’adaałts’isi (Presbyterian or Protestants) were assigned to the Navajo reservation.&nbsp; <br> <br>  

*[http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=usupress_pubs Evans, Will. ]''[http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=usupress_pubs Along Navajo Trails: Recollections of a Trader, 1898-1948].''