The Navajo Nation
Office of Din4 Culture, Language, and Community Service

Division of Din4 Education

About Us

What follows are two sections on Language and on Culture/Social Studies. These are two sections from a more comprehensive set of policies:

Education in Navajo Language

The Navajo Language is an essential element of the life, culture, and identity of the Navajo people. The Navajo Nation recognizes the importance of preserving and perpetuating that language for the survival of the Navajo Nation. Instruction in the Navajo language shall be made available for all grade levels [in] all schools serving the Navajo Nation. Navajo language instruction shall include to the greatest extent practicable: thinking, speaking, comprehension, reading and writing skills and the study of the formal grammar of the language.

Education in Navajo Culture

The survival of the Navajo Nation as a unique group of people growing and developing socially, educationally, economically, and politically within the larger American Nation requires that the Navajo People and those who reside with the Navajo People retain and/or develop an understanding, knowledge and respect for the Navajo culture, history, civics and social studies. Courses or course contents that develop knowledge, understanding and respect for the Navajo culture, history, civics, and social studies shall be include in the curriculum of every school serving the Navajo Nation. The local school governing board, in consultation with parents, students and the local community, shall determine the appropriate course content for the Navajo culture component of the curriculum.

Overall Diné Education Philosophy

We are the Holy People of the Earth. We are created between our Mother Earth and Father Sky. Our home, the four sacred mountains, with the entrance to the East, embodies our Way of Life. It provides strength and peace within us.

Spirituality, intellect, planning and life have been instilled within us; through these attributes we attain knowledge and wisdom. We shall combine the best learning and knowledge of other societies with that our own for the benefit of our future.

With that, children will walk with beauty before them, beauty behind them, beauty beneath them , beauty above them, beauty around them, and will always be respectful and live in harmony with natural law. Our children will go forth in life endowed with what is required to achieve their ultimate aspirations.