Navajo Indians Research Paper
Navajo Indians Survival of an Adaptive Society
Kemi McBeth
Anthropology 101
Instructor Steven Sager
4 February 2013
One of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States is said to be the Navajo
Indians. They are the second largest American Indian group in the United States, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, and they are known to be an adaptive type of society. As a
pastoral society who utilized farming as their primary mode of subsistence, the Navajo Indians
(Dineh – meaning Navajo people) had to learn other ways to survive in a constant changing
world. The Navajos have never stopped speaking …show more content…
their native Athabaskan Language. The Navajo
language is spoken only on the reservation in the southwestern part of the United States. Their
language is very reflective of their way of life and their world. Navajo’s have shown resiliency
throughout history by fighting for their land and way of life. It is vital for the survival of the
Navajo Indian Tribe to preserve their social and economic organization, while adapting to the
social changes in the Western culture. I will be focusing on three aspects
of Navajo culture: social organization and economic organization and social change.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The Navajo Indian Tribe is the largest tribe of North American Indians. Over one
thousand years ago they began their journey from Canada and Alaska, and resided in
southwestern United States. They live on reservations in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New
Mexico.( Navajo Nation). Their housing is made of wooded poles, tree bark, and mud. They
leave the doorway opened facing east to get the morning sun blessing (Ecke, P., 1998). They are
a close knit society who focuses on their collectivism which incorporates family, social
gatherings, spirituality, nature, as well as their economic well being. Hospitality to one another,
as well as their neighbors is extremely important to their identity. The balancing of work and
family is essential to their well-being. Unfortunately their traditional ways have been interrupted
by corporate giants and or the government by forcing them to adapt to a more modern western
culture and ideology. “Navajo’s have been negotiating the impact of colonialism , which
includes the mainstream cultural values of individualism and traditions for centuries” (Hoxie,
2008, Lomay&Hinkebein, 2006, Paniagua, 1994). Although preserving their identity and
tradition are still the focal point of their lives, it is still a constant struggle for them and has been
for many years. Due to federal policies being forced upon them matrilocality has diminished and
land ownership is almost obsolete. “The influence of Westernization on Navajo may have some
negative repercussions, such as the changes in traditional rituals and language, but there are
positive outlooks, too. For instance, institutional education and paid employment contribute to
the well being of the Navajo Indians”(Loyd, L., 2008). The effects of the constant change in the
Western culture have resulted in psychological problems for many Navajo Indians who have
struggled with the bi-cultural ideology. They have lost their focus in their identity, so they utilize
substances to fill the void, primarily alcohol.(Broudy, D. & May, P. ). Alcohol abuse resulted
in a breakdown of the family. This proved to be tragic due to the importance of family being the
focal point in Navajo traditions.
ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION
[Family and traditions are the forefront of Navajo culture. When the Navajo met the
Pueblo Indians along their journey, it did not take long for the Navajos to make friends with
them. The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo Indians many tasks that enhanced their livelihood.
Farming techniques helped the Navajos plant and grow their own food. From this they were able
to harvest corn, beans, squash, and other fruits and vegetables. They also learned to weave to
make clothing and art, and was able to trade their items for economic gain. Animals
were a great addition to their livelihood, especially sheep and horses. The wool from the sheep
made clothes, blankets, and rugs, while the horses were used to travel long distance for
trading purposes](Eck, P., 1998). The sheep, which are their reciprocal economic substance,
would result in a significant loss (Ruffing, L., 1976). For example some important traditions
would diminish like children inheriting livestock due to sheep being a part of their economic
security. Sheep were a part of their ceremonies and now they are being exchanged or given away
to people in need. This is important because the Navajo Indians pride themselves in their
hospitality and ethical principles, also known as K'e. This is one way they show their expression
of friendship to others.(Witherspoon, 1975). In addition, inheriting land would be decreased, and
this would affect families in future generations. [This was the Navajo economy until the end of
World War II. Uranium was discovered after World War II, and years after this discovery, oil
deposits were discovered on Navajo land. “On Black Mesa, coal deposits straddle Navajo &
Hopi land. They are strip mined by the Peabody Corporation, and then sent in the form of a coal-
water slurry through a 273 mile long pipeline to a power plant near Laughlin, Nevada. The
royalties from coal and oil form the mayor source of revenue for the Tribal
Government](Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). This is only a minor part of contributions to the
Navajo economy. Due to the lack of job opportunities, their unemployment rate is extremely
high. “Many of the men work only part-time, making and selling jewelry, amongst other small
jobs”(Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). Despite the mayhem, there was still hope for the Navajo
Indian Tribe. “Two community colleges have been established. Dineh College in Tsaile, Arizona
and Crownpoint Institue of Technology in Crownpoint, New Mexico, which is just outside the
reservation”(Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). Even though the Navajo Indians have limited
skills which have contributed to their livelihood in the past, they are showing willingness to
adapt to Western culture. They are educating themselves, and learning new ways to contribute to
a new modernized society. Although forced, they have shown signs of adopting new traditions.
SOCIAL CHANGE
The Navajos have been known as a pastoral society, whom integrated farming for their
livelihood. They depended on animals, such as sheep for clothing, food, and trade, as well as
horses for traveling. Their standard of living was interrupted due to the federal government's
policy to take over the land, and negotiate economic development plans, in which the Navajo
had no knowledge or information of to agree or disagree (Loyd, L., 1998). Life as they know it
would change radically, and they would have to change their way of thinking. . Forced
relocation, reduction of livestock, and being denied access to their traditional lands would
threaten their usual lifestyle. Also, matrilineal in which the land and livestock is owned by the
wife, and passed on to her family would be affected as well. “This was an enormous problem
because their children would have no inheritance, therefore affecting many generations
thereafter. Not only would their inheritance be affected, but their important traditions as well as
reciprocal and economic exchange with the reduction of livestock would be greatly
impacted”(Schoepfle, M., Burton, M., Begishe, K. 1984). “This major transition has affected the
Navajo Indians' livelihood, and has transpired into psychological issues, such as alcohol and drug
abuse”(Broudy, D., May, P.). These abuses have had such a domino effect on the lives of the
Navajo Indians, causing families to lose strength, power, and vitality. This caused the children go
out looking for a sense of identity. The men in the Navajo families took on part time jobs to
keep up with the change. [By them being away from home, the children looked for guidance and
acceptance in their changing culture elsewhere. Just like many children in the Western culture
did and still are doing, they found acceptance in gangs. Gangs prey on the
young and innocent who are vulnerable. Because of their lonesomeness, boredom, and
impoverished lives, the Navajo children are vulnerable and susceptible to anything and anyone;
thus leading them to turn to what they are being exposed to] (Mydans, S., 1995). “Because their
culture has been deteriorating, children do not feel they are connected to their culture, so they
look to their transitional culture. In the American culture, the government provides help when
families are in need, but the Navajo Indians do not get help from the American
government”(Kraus, D., 2001).
[One of the new additions to the Navajo community is the Navajo Agricultural Products
Industry (NAPI), which is the Navajo Nations irrigated farm. This is a new positive outlook for
the Navajos which provides job training, and a promising work force. It has already provided
jobs throughout the reservation, including laundromats, theaters, supermarkets, fast food,
hardware retail stores, and gas stations in the shopping centers which have been established](The
Navajo Nation). This type of social change and organization is what the Navajo Indians not only
needed to improve their lifestyle; but it also created and fostered a better environment for their
children. The children will be the ones to help carry on the Navajo Indian heritage as well as
traditions.
CONCLUSION
One of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States is said to be the Navajo
Indians. As a pastoral society who utilized farming as their primary mode of subsistence, the
Navajo Indians had to learn other ways to survive in a constant changing world. The Navajo
Indian Tribe can adapt to the Western culture, and preserve their traditions by putting the same
effort into their new way of life, as they have in the past. Their language is very reflective of
their way of life and their world. Navajo’s have shown resiliency throughout history by fighting
for their land and way of life. It is vital for the survival of the Navajo Indian Tribe to preserve
their social and economic organization, while adapting to the social changes in the Western
culture. Memories of old traditions: family, religion, nature, and community is something one
can never take away from the Navajos. This is their driving force to help them overcome the
issues that plague them. Some issues are the abuse of alcohol, drugs, broken families, and
insubordinate children. Life has been a constant struggle for the Navajo Indians, since
collectivism has been their way of approaching life, and is in contrast to the Western culture.
Adapting to change is never easy. They had their land taken from them by the federal
government for economical development, this caused relocation to become a catastrophe for
more than one reason. The Navajo Indians have struggled with this, and still is struggling to be
treated fairly and reasonably. Just as the Western culture adapted change, the Navajo’s also
learned deal with adversity and become resilient. Even though the American culture is
considered to be individualistic in their views, they have come together to help the Navajo’s with
many of the same issues they face. The stance on the Navajo’s future is promising for their
economy. There are new job opportunities and training, which will not only help their economy,
but also boost their self esteem, which in returns helps with their self identity.
.
Reference
1. Broudy, D., May, P., Demographic and Epidemiologic Transition Among the Navajo Indians,www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080
2. Ecke, P., (1998), Navajo Indians, http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work
3. Kraus, D., (2001), Wealth, Success, and Poverty in Indian Country, Poverty & Race, Washington, vol. 10, iss. 3, pg. 3, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?/index
4. Loyd, L., (2008), Reclaiming Indigenous Intellectual, Political, and Geographic Space: A Path for Navajo Nationhood, American Indian Quarterly, Berkely, vol. 32, Iss. 1, pg. 96, 16 pgs.,
5. Mydans, S. (1995), New Frontier for Gangs: Indian Reservations, New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)), New York, NY., Retrieved February 3, 2013 from Banking Information Source, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index
6. Pfeiffer, E. & Pfeiffer, K., (2004), The Navajo Way of Life, http://home.earthlink.net/pfeiffer/N-Navajo
7. Ruffing, L., (1976), Navajo Economic Development Subject to Cultural Constraints, Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 611- 621
8. Schoepfle, M., Burton, M., Begishe, K. (1984), Navajo Attitudes toward Development and Change: A Unified Ethnographic and Survey Approach to an Understanding of Their Future”, American Anthropologist, new series, vol. 86, no.4, pp. 885-904, published by Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the American Anthropological Association., http://www.jstor/stable
9. The Navajo Nation, Navajo Nation Industrial Matrix, http://navajoadvantage.com/pages/govt
|Grading Criteria Final Cultural Research Paper 25 points possible|Your Grade |
|Content Criteria |Weight | |
|Student properly identifies the primary mode of subsistence and offers the reasoning|4 |4 |
|behind the chosen classification. | | |
|Student incorporates information from any combination of the required three sources,|3 |3 |
|scholarly journal articles, ethnologies, or ethnographies, to support the | | |
|development of the topic. | | |
|Conclusions are drawn between a cultures mode of subsistence and at least three |4 |4 |
|aspects of culture to address the question, “why do cultures do as they do?” | | |
|Writing Skills | |
|The paper is grammatically correct, has two or fewer spelling, punctuation, or |2 |2 |
|grammar errors.
The paper has no “run-on” or fragment sentences. | | |
|The paper has a clear introduction with a succinct thesis statement and a conclusion|3 |3 |
|clearly linked to the introduction. | | |
|The paper is developed through coherently linked paragraphs, each devoted to an |3 |3 |
|aspect of the chosen culture. | | |
|Research Criteria | |
|The paper has at least three additional reference resources, which are any |3 |3
|
|combination of scholarly journal articles, ethnologies, or ethnographies, and two of| | |
|which can be found in the Ashford Online Library. | | |
|Style Criteria | |
|The paper must be seven to eight double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and |1 |1 |
|reference pages), formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style| | |
|guide and include a title page and reference page. | | |
|Every reference is properly cited in text as well as the reference page. |1 |1 |
|The vocabulary and diction represent college-level usage and demonstrate |1 |1 |
|understanding of anthropological concepts. | | |
Kemi McBeth
Anthropology 101
Instructor Steven Sager
4 February 2013
One of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States is said to be the Navajo
Indians. They are the second largest American Indian group in the United States, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, and they are known to be an adaptive type of society. As a
pastoral society who utilized farming as their primary mode of subsistence, the Navajo Indians
(Dineh – meaning Navajo people) had to learn other ways to survive in a constant changing
world. The Navajos have never stopped speaking …show more content…
their native Athabaskan Language. The Navajo
language is spoken only on the reservation in the southwestern part of the United States. Their
language is very reflective of their way of life and their world. Navajo’s have shown resiliency
throughout history by fighting for their land and way of life. It is vital for the survival of the
Navajo Indian Tribe to preserve their social and economic organization, while adapting to the
social changes in the Western culture. I will be focusing on three aspects
of Navajo culture: social organization and economic organization and social change.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The Navajo Indian Tribe is the largest tribe of North American Indians. Over one
thousand years ago they began their journey from Canada and Alaska, and resided in
southwestern United States. They live on reservations in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New
Mexico.( Navajo Nation). Their housing is made of wooded poles, tree bark, and mud. They
leave the doorway opened facing east to get the morning sun blessing (Ecke, P., 1998). They are
a close knit society who focuses on their collectivism which incorporates family, social
gatherings, spirituality, nature, as well as their economic well being. Hospitality to one another,
as well as their neighbors is extremely important to their identity. The balancing of work and
family is essential to their well-being. Unfortunately their traditional ways have been interrupted
by corporate giants and or the government by forcing them to adapt to a more modern western
culture and ideology. “Navajo’s have been negotiating the impact of colonialism , which
includes the mainstream cultural values of individualism and traditions for centuries” (Hoxie,
2008, Lomay&Hinkebein, 2006, Paniagua, 1994). Although preserving their identity and
tradition are still the focal point of their lives, it is still a constant struggle for them and has been
for many years. Due to federal policies being forced upon them matrilocality has diminished and
land ownership is almost obsolete. “The influence of Westernization on Navajo may have some
negative repercussions, such as the changes in traditional rituals and language, but there are
positive outlooks, too. For instance, institutional education and paid employment contribute to
the well being of the Navajo Indians”(Loyd, L., 2008). The effects of the constant change in the
Western culture have resulted in psychological problems for many Navajo Indians who have
struggled with the bi-cultural ideology. They have lost their focus in their identity, so they utilize
substances to fill the void, primarily alcohol.(Broudy, D. & May, P. ). Alcohol abuse resulted
in a breakdown of the family. This proved to be tragic due to the importance of family being the
focal point in Navajo traditions.
ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION
[Family and traditions are the forefront of Navajo culture. When the Navajo met the
Pueblo Indians along their journey, it did not take long for the Navajos to make friends with
them. The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo Indians many tasks that enhanced their livelihood.
Farming techniques helped the Navajos plant and grow their own food. From this they were able
to harvest corn, beans, squash, and other fruits and vegetables. They also learned to weave to
make clothing and art, and was able to trade their items for economic gain. Animals
were a great addition to their livelihood, especially sheep and horses. The wool from the sheep
made clothes, blankets, and rugs, while the horses were used to travel long distance for
trading purposes](Eck, P., 1998). The sheep, which are their reciprocal economic substance,
would result in a significant loss (Ruffing, L., 1976). For example some important traditions
would diminish like children inheriting livestock due to sheep being a part of their economic
security. Sheep were a part of their ceremonies and now they are being exchanged or given away
to people in need. This is important because the Navajo Indians pride themselves in their
hospitality and ethical principles, also known as K'e. This is one way they show their expression
of friendship to others.(Witherspoon, 1975). In addition, inheriting land would be decreased, and
this would affect families in future generations. [This was the Navajo economy until the end of
World War II. Uranium was discovered after World War II, and years after this discovery, oil
deposits were discovered on Navajo land. “On Black Mesa, coal deposits straddle Navajo &
Hopi land. They are strip mined by the Peabody Corporation, and then sent in the form of a coal-
water slurry through a 273 mile long pipeline to a power plant near Laughlin, Nevada. The
royalties from coal and oil form the mayor source of revenue for the Tribal
Government](Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). This is only a minor part of contributions to the
Navajo economy. Due to the lack of job opportunities, their unemployment rate is extremely
high. “Many of the men work only part-time, making and selling jewelry, amongst other small
jobs”(Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). Despite the mayhem, there was still hope for the Navajo
Indian Tribe. “Two community colleges have been established. Dineh College in Tsaile, Arizona
and Crownpoint Institue of Technology in Crownpoint, New Mexico, which is just outside the
reservation”(Pfeiffer, K. & Pfeiffer, E., 2004). Even though the Navajo Indians have limited
skills which have contributed to their livelihood in the past, they are showing willingness to
adapt to Western culture. They are educating themselves, and learning new ways to contribute to
a new modernized society. Although forced, they have shown signs of adopting new traditions.
SOCIAL CHANGE
The Navajos have been known as a pastoral society, whom integrated farming for their
livelihood. They depended on animals, such as sheep for clothing, food, and trade, as well as
horses for traveling. Their standard of living was interrupted due to the federal government's
policy to take over the land, and negotiate economic development plans, in which the Navajo
had no knowledge or information of to agree or disagree (Loyd, L., 1998). Life as they know it
would change radically, and they would have to change their way of thinking. . Forced
relocation, reduction of livestock, and being denied access to their traditional lands would
threaten their usual lifestyle. Also, matrilineal in which the land and livestock is owned by the
wife, and passed on to her family would be affected as well. “This was an enormous problem
because their children would have no inheritance, therefore affecting many generations
thereafter. Not only would their inheritance be affected, but their important traditions as well as
reciprocal and economic exchange with the reduction of livestock would be greatly
impacted”(Schoepfle, M., Burton, M., Begishe, K. 1984). “This major transition has affected the
Navajo Indians' livelihood, and has transpired into psychological issues, such as alcohol and drug
abuse”(Broudy, D., May, P.). These abuses have had such a domino effect on the lives of the
Navajo Indians, causing families to lose strength, power, and vitality. This caused the children go
out looking for a sense of identity. The men in the Navajo families took on part time jobs to
keep up with the change. [By them being away from home, the children looked for guidance and
acceptance in their changing culture elsewhere. Just like many children in the Western culture
did and still are doing, they found acceptance in gangs. Gangs prey on the
young and innocent who are vulnerable. Because of their lonesomeness, boredom, and
impoverished lives, the Navajo children are vulnerable and susceptible to anything and anyone;
thus leading them to turn to what they are being exposed to] (Mydans, S., 1995). “Because their
culture has been deteriorating, children do not feel they are connected to their culture, so they
look to their transitional culture. In the American culture, the government provides help when
families are in need, but the Navajo Indians do not get help from the American
government”(Kraus, D., 2001).
[One of the new additions to the Navajo community is the Navajo Agricultural Products
Industry (NAPI), which is the Navajo Nations irrigated farm. This is a new positive outlook for
the Navajos which provides job training, and a promising work force. It has already provided
jobs throughout the reservation, including laundromats, theaters, supermarkets, fast food,
hardware retail stores, and gas stations in the shopping centers which have been established](The
Navajo Nation). This type of social change and organization is what the Navajo Indians not only
needed to improve their lifestyle; but it also created and fostered a better environment for their
children. The children will be the ones to help carry on the Navajo Indian heritage as well as
traditions.
CONCLUSION
One of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States is said to be the Navajo
Indians. As a pastoral society who utilized farming as their primary mode of subsistence, the
Navajo Indians had to learn other ways to survive in a constant changing world. The Navajo
Indian Tribe can adapt to the Western culture, and preserve their traditions by putting the same
effort into their new way of life, as they have in the past. Their language is very reflective of
their way of life and their world. Navajo’s have shown resiliency throughout history by fighting
for their land and way of life. It is vital for the survival of the Navajo Indian Tribe to preserve
their social and economic organization, while adapting to the social changes in the Western
culture. Memories of old traditions: family, religion, nature, and community is something one
can never take away from the Navajos. This is their driving force to help them overcome the
issues that plague them. Some issues are the abuse of alcohol, drugs, broken families, and
insubordinate children. Life has been a constant struggle for the Navajo Indians, since
collectivism has been their way of approaching life, and is in contrast to the Western culture.
Adapting to change is never easy. They had their land taken from them by the federal
government for economical development, this caused relocation to become a catastrophe for
more than one reason. The Navajo Indians have struggled with this, and still is struggling to be
treated fairly and reasonably. Just as the Western culture adapted change, the Navajo’s also
learned deal with adversity and become resilient. Even though the American culture is
considered to be individualistic in their views, they have come together to help the Navajo’s with
many of the same issues they face. The stance on the Navajo’s future is promising for their
economy. There are new job opportunities and training, which will not only help their economy,
but also boost their self esteem, which in returns helps with their self identity.
.
Reference
1. Broudy, D., May, P., Demographic and Epidemiologic Transition Among the Navajo Indians,www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080
2. Ecke, P., (1998), Navajo Indians, http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work
3. Kraus, D., (2001), Wealth, Success, and Poverty in Indian Country, Poverty & Race, Washington, vol. 10, iss. 3, pg. 3, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?/index
4. Loyd, L., (2008), Reclaiming Indigenous Intellectual, Political, and Geographic Space: A Path for Navajo Nationhood, American Indian Quarterly, Berkely, vol. 32, Iss. 1, pg. 96, 16 pgs.,
5. Mydans, S. (1995), New Frontier for Gangs: Indian Reservations, New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)), New York, NY., Retrieved February 3, 2013 from Banking Information Source, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index
6. Pfeiffer, E. & Pfeiffer, K., (2004), The Navajo Way of Life, http://home.earthlink.net/pfeiffer/N-Navajo
7. Ruffing, L., (1976), Navajo Economic Development Subject to Cultural Constraints, Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 611- 621
8. Schoepfle, M., Burton, M., Begishe, K. (1984), Navajo Attitudes toward Development and Change: A Unified Ethnographic and Survey Approach to an Understanding of Their Future”, American Anthropologist, new series, vol. 86, no.4, pp. 885-904, published by Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the American Anthropological Association., http://www.jstor/stable
9. The Navajo Nation, Navajo Nation Industrial Matrix, http://navajoadvantage.com/pages/govt
|Grading Criteria Final Cultural Research Paper 25 points possible|Your Grade |
|Content Criteria |Weight | |
|Student properly identifies the primary mode of subsistence and offers the reasoning|4 |4 |
|behind the chosen classification. | | |
|Student incorporates information from any combination of the required three sources,|3 |3 |
|scholarly journal articles, ethnologies, or ethnographies, to support the | | |
|development of the topic. | | |
|Conclusions are drawn between a cultures mode of subsistence and at least three |4 |4 |
|aspects of culture to address the question, “why do cultures do as they do?” | | |
|Writing Skills | |
|The paper is grammatically correct, has two or fewer spelling, punctuation, or |2 |2 |
|grammar errors.
The paper has no “run-on” or fragment sentences. | | |
|The paper has a clear introduction with a succinct thesis statement and a conclusion|3 |3 |
|clearly linked to the introduction. | | |
|The paper is developed through coherently linked paragraphs, each devoted to an |3 |3 |
|aspect of the chosen culture. | | |
|Research Criteria | |
|The paper has at least three additional reference resources, which are any |3 |3
|
|combination of scholarly journal articles, ethnologies, or ethnographies, and two of| | |
|which can be found in the Ashford Online Library. | | |
|Style Criteria | |
|The paper must be seven to eight double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and |1 |1 |
|reference pages), formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style| | |
|guide and include a title page and reference page. | | |
|Every reference is properly cited in text as well as the reference page. |1 |1 |
|The vocabulary and diction represent college-level usage and demonstrate |1 |1 |
|understanding of anthropological concepts. | | |