What do traditional Diné institutions of governance offer to our understanding of the contemporary challenges faced by the Navajo Nation today and tomorrow? The research is part history and part political science. It pioneers applications of cutting-edge research methods, and primary and secondary research will detail where Navajo Nation has been. Diné history is explored via creation accounts, the Naachid systems, and the various contemporary councils, while unclear aspects of Diné history are illuminated by relying on oral accounts. Analysis pinpoints what is missing in governance today, whi ... More

What do traditional Diné institutions of governance offer to our understanding of the contemporary challenges faced by the Navajo Nation today and tomorrow? The research is part history and part political science. It pioneers applications of cutting-edge research methods, and primary and secondary research will detail where Navajo Nation has been. Diné history is explored via creation accounts, the Naachid systems, and the various contemporary councils, while unclear aspects of Diné history are illuminated by relying on oral accounts. Analysis pinpoints what is missing in governance today, while questioning whether looking to the past alone will help make governance work better tomorrow. The concept-building method is utilized as a way of mitigating the loss that occurs when English words fail to capture the essence of Navajo language, and concepts organic to Navajo culture are turned to for assistance in dealing with contemporary issues. Concept building displays where Navajo Nation has been in order to better understand where Navajo Nation needs to go. The visual presentation of traditional concepts of Diné governance makes them more understandable. Interestingly, when the concept-building method is applied to post-1922 Diné governance, the true motives of the United States become obvious. A clearer path is presented toward incorporating chapter house government into national government, and developing contemporary concepts of Navajo governance based on traditional teachings equips us to deal with contemporary issues.