Miss Navajo to host leadership conference

Miss Navajo 2006-2007 Jocelyn Billy crowns the new Miss Navajo Nation Jonathea Tso of Cove, Ariz. after the night performance at the 61st Annual Navajo Nation Fair on Saturday night. [Indpedendent file photo]

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — As Miss Navajo Nation 2007-2008 Jonathea Tso nears the end of her reign, she is looking to complete several projects. This weekend she will be hosting the Second annual Miss Navajo Nation Youth Leadership Conference Aug. 2 at Diné College in Tsaile.
Tso’s platform as Miss Navajo has been leadership.

“With anything that Miss Navajo does, you have the option of carrying it on or you can just say, ‘I can’t do it.’ But I’ve seen a lot of conferences, and one of the things I wish I could see in those conferences is more of the Navajo teachings and philosophies of life,” she said.

“If we know our language, if we know our ways of life, if we know what spiritual protection is, it helps our children when they leave the Navajo Nation,” Tso said. “If they knew their history, if they know their creation stories, if they know their language, it’s also going to be protection for us as Navajo people.”

The conference is going to lean more toward Navajo teachings and philosophies, including a workshop on the clan system and ke’, she said. Another workshop will be presented by the Office of Diné Education Science and Math Technology.

“Hopefully they come up with some cool games,” Tso said.
The conference is being held at Diné College, where there are many resources that can help to teach about the Navajo culture and philosophies. Tso, a graduate of Dartmouth College with two degrees, would often find herself reaching back to the college for knowledge. She is even working on an associate of arts degree from the college in Navajo language before she goes back to graduate school.

The leadership conference will begin with a walk and run held by the college at 7 a.m. Registration for the conference starts on-site at 8 a.m.

At 9:30 a.m., the youth, their parents and community members will be welcomed. At 10 a.m., participants can choose to attend one of three workshops that will be offered, including a workshop from Rex Harvey of the Department of Behavioral Health in Utah, Don Denetdeal from Diné College and Robert Johnson from the Navajo Nation Museum.

At 11 a.m. a second session of workshops will be held with Harvey, Denetdeal and Danielle Goldtooth, Miss Diné College, presenting separately. Goldtooth will talk about college and what to expect.

At noon will be a lunch of sandwiches, chips and drinks before the third session of workshops begins at 1 p.m. The final session will begin at 2 p.m. with presentations offered by Peterson Brossy on leadership, another on

methamphetamines, drugs and alcohol, and one from the Special Diabetes Project on Navajo foods.

The Office of Youth Development will be holding recreational activities in the gym for most of the morning. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., a back to school giveaway will be held.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. a magic show will be provided along with pizza and drinks.