Rights panel: Navajo language suppressed

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

ST. MICHAELS — Suppression of speaking the Navajo language was common in the 1950s and 1960s when Navajo children were shipped off to boarding schools. Parts of the language used by Navajo Code Talkers during World War II was declared “classified information” and not declassified until 1969.

Yet in 2009, despite immersion programs, speaking the Navajo language is discouraged in classroom instruction, Cuba Independent School District teacher Novalene Meyers told the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission during a recent public hearing.

The commission provided local communities an opportunity to voice concerns of racial discrimination at two public hearings held May 29-30 at Torreon Chapter House and Albuquerque Indian Center.

Commissioners Duane H. Yazzie, Clarence Chee, Steve Darden, Dr. Rena Yazzie and Irving Gleason were present to hear individuals testify on discrimination issues pertaining to health care, retail services and education, among other issues.

Several teachers from the Bureau of Indian Education and the Cuba Independent School District came to Torreon to express their concerns of the education modalities utilized in their school district, whose student body is predominately comprised of Navajo students.

“The Navajo language is very important, it helps the students understand,” Meyers said.

Statewide standardized tests utilize illustrations that may be common to students who grew up in urban areas but are foreign to students who grew up on the reservation, she said.

This leads to misunderstandings that categorize Navajo students as illiterate, with many being placed in special education course work, she said.

City of Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez told the commission of his administration’s efforts in working with surrounding sovereign nations on issues relating to transportation, education and health care.

“I encourage the Navajo Nation and this commission to speak with one voice to Congress and the new president to have funding restored for health care,” Chavez said.

Albuquerque Human Rights Office Investigations Officer Juanita Martinez says discrimination has a different face from the ’60s and ’70s era.

“People who choose to unlawfully discriminate usually do it with a hand shake and a smile and people don’t know what just hit them,” Martinez said.

She cited a study done by the Urban Institute involving ethnic participants who posed as potential renters at a high-end apartment complex. Despite both African American and Anglo potential renters having rated their service as excellent, the results showed clear preferential treatment was given toward the Anglo renter in service and prices.

The commission will be conducting public hearings in Tohajiilee, Alamo, Grants and Gallup in mid-July.

Information: www.nnhrc.navajo.org or Sheree Peshlakai, public information officer, (928) 871-7436.