Navajo Nation
Largest tribal territory
The Navajo Nation is the federally recognized tribal government of the Navajo people and the largest Native American reservation in the United States, spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
It operates as a semi-sovereign nation with its own laws, courts, and elected officials: The Navajo Nation declared a state of emergency during the pandemic.
The term refers both to the government and to the land itself.
Native American earth dwelling
- sandpaintingArt from poured pigmented grains
- clanshipKinship-based group solidarity
- medicine manTraditional indigenous healer
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
mythology · sacred mountains · four directions · Spider Woman
Managing grazing flocks
- frybreadFried flatbread, Indigenous origins
- mutton stewSimmered sheep meat dish
- blue cornPigmented maize variety
- HoganNative American earth dwelling
extended family · matrilineal · wool · herding · ranching · rodeo · seasonal migration
Indigenous community's ruling body
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- tribal courtsNative nations' judicial bodies
- self-governanceIndependent management of affairs
federal recognition · tribal government · home rule · treaty rights
Quadripoint of southwestern states
- Monument ValleySouthwestern sandstone butte region
- Painted DesertColorful Arizona geological region
- high desertElevated arid region
- red rockOxidized mineral formation
Interlacing strands into fabric
- silversmithingCrafting objects from precious metal
- turquoise jewelryAccessories featuring blue-green stones
- concho beltOrnamental disc-studded waistband
- bolo tieDecorative sliding-clasp neckwear
moccasins · basket weaving · pottery · beadwork · loom
New Mexico settlement
- Kit CarsonNineteenth-century mountain man
- forced marchCompulsory rapid military movement
- internmentWartime civilian imprisonment
- World War IISecond global military conflict
Hogan
Native American earth dwelling
- sandpaintingArt from poured pigmented grains
- clanshipKinship-based group solidarity
- medicine manTraditional indigenous healer
storytelling · mythology · sacred mountains · four directions · Spider Woman
sheepherding
Managing grazing flocks
- frybreadFried flatbread, Indigenous origins
- mutton stewSimmered sheep meat dish
- blue cornPigmented maize variety
Hogan · extended family · matrilineal · wool · herding · ranching · rodeo · seasonal migration
tribal council
Indigenous community's ruling body
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- tribal courtsNative nations' judicial bodies
self-governance · federal recognition · tribal government · home rule · treaty rights
Four Corners
Quadripoint of southwestern states
- Monument ValleySouthwestern sandstone butte region
- Painted DesertColorful Arizona geological region
- high desertElevated arid region
weaving
Interlacing strands into fabric
- silversmithingCrafting objects from precious metal
- turquoise jewelryAccessories featuring blue-green stones
- concho beltOrnamental disc-studded waistband
bolo tie · moccasins · basket weaving · pottery · beadwork · loom
Fort Sumner
New Mexico settlement
- Kit CarsonNineteenth-century mountain man
- forced marchCompulsory rapid military movement
- internmentWartime civilian imprisonment
return home · World War II · treaty signing · land restoration
- Southwestmesa, Monument Valley, Arizona, New Mexico, Grand Canyon
- Southwest Desertsaguaro, saguaro cactus, Sonoran Desert, Sonoran, prickly pear
- Arizona PlacesGrand Canyon, Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest, Sedona
- ethnic communitiesethnic enclave, immigrant community, indigenous community, tribal community, refugee community
- Four CornersFour Corners, Colorado Plateau, Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde
- Indigenous Politicstribal sovereignty, tribal nations, federal recognition, tribal councils, tribal law
Navajo Nationstate government
Subnational political authority
Arizona · New Mexico · Utah · federal land · state governments
Navajo Nationfederal land
Government-owned territory
state land · private property · public domain · national park · national forest
Navajo NationUnited States of America
North American federal republic
colonial government · colonial America · Plymouth Colony · Jamestown · manifest destiny