Navajo students learn about tribal government

<i>Photo by S.J. Wilson/NHO</i><br>
Wide Ruins Chapter Delegate Orlanda Smith-Hodge welcomes Sherwin Begaye and Bethany Bahe from Valley High in Sanders.

<i>Photo by S.J. Wilson/NHO</i><br> Wide Ruins Chapter Delegate Orlanda Smith-Hodge welcomes Sherwin Begaye and Bethany Bahe from Valley High in Sanders.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The parking lot beneath the famous Window Rock that lends its name to the Navajo Nation Capital was studded with brilliant yellow school buses on the morning of April 21, the second day of the 21st Navajo Tribal Council's spring session.

Students from Rosemary Sam's Navajo History class from Ganado High School spread out among council delegates to learn about the legislative branch first hand.

"Our students are learning about the three-tier Navajo government," Sam explained.

"The best way to learn is to come out and see the government in person. This is a required class - our students must take it to graduate."

As one student wrote down information, Hardrock Chapter Delegate Lorenzo Bedonie munched on a quick granola breakfast bar and considered his next words.

"I think it's good [that the students come to talk to us]," Bedonie said.

Bethany Bahe from Valley High in Sanders said that her class also came to the spring session to learn about the Navajo Nation Council.

Classmate Sherwin Begaye added that he was taking Navajo II, Navajo History and Navajo Government.

The pair was welcomed by Wide Ruins Delegate Orlanda Smith-Hodge.

"It's always exciting to see students from the Nation's high schools," Smith-Hodge said. "It is very important to know about our Navajo government. We want these young students to learn more about our history, culture and government infrastructure. In future years, they will be our leaders, and we hope they can take their observations back to their community and encourage their peers to begin to participate in our Navajo Government."

The students were also acknowledged by Navajo Nation Speaker, Lawrence T. Morgan.

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