Navajo Traditions in Education

Navajo Traditions in Education

The Navajo people have a rich cultural heritage that includes various traditions and manners that have been passed down through generations. However, when Navajo children were sent to mission schools, some of these traditions were considered unacceptable by the school authorities.

Two specific Navajo traditions/manners that were deemed unacceptable at the mission school were speaking the Navajo language and wearing traditional clothing. These practices were often discouraged or even forbidden in an attempt to assimilate the Navajo children into the dominant culture.

By prohibiting Navajo children from speaking their own language and wearing traditional clothing, the mission schools aimed to erase their cultural identity and force them to adopt the customs and language of the colonizers. This assimilationist approach was a common strategy used by many mission schools during that time period.

Despite the efforts to suppress Navajo traditions at mission schools, many Navajo people have continued to preserve and revitalize their cultural practices, including the language and traditional attire. Today, there are ongoing efforts within the Navajo community to reclaim and celebrate their heritage, ensuring that these valuable traditions are passed on to future generations.