Features

During her gap year from school from 1977 to 1978, McKenna interned with the Museum of Northern Arizona, staying on the Navajo and Hopi nations to assist with collecting objects such as woven rugs, pottery, baskets and jewelry for the museum’s Navajo Arts and Crafts Show.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — At the ninth annual Rumble on the Mountain event at Northern Arizona University on Sept. 9, the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument was celebrated with members of the Havasupai, Navajo and Hopi tribes, Grand Canyon wildlife advocates and the community.

Crowds overtook the streets of Window Rock Sept. 2-10 during the 75th annual Navajo Nation Fair.

The 71st Miss Navajo Nation Pageant kicked off with the highly anticipated sheep butchering contest Sept. 4.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Families, teachers and scientists came together at Northern Arizona University Aug. 26 for the Ke’yah Advanced Rural Manufacturing Alliance (KARMA) event, “Acknowledging Culture in 21st Century Learning.”

HARDROCK, Ariz. — Though Hardrock, Ariz. may have a population of only 153, there were 120 riders alone at the 2023 Rezduro race that took place there Aug. 18 and 19.

SANTA FE, New Mexico — Five Indigenous designers showed their collections to an eager crowd on Aug. 19, in support of Indigenous fashion at the Santa Fe Indian Market Gala.

Keanu Jones may be only 26, but he’s been making films about the Navajo culture for over half his life. On Aug. 26 he showed his 12-minute short “Liberty of Jewels” at the first International Flagstaff Film Festival.

Window Rock students showcase Indigenous talent at the fashion show during the Navajo Nation Johnson O’Malley Conference at Twin Arrows Aug. 21

Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma is using his past prison experience to bring to light problems for re-entry of Hopi and Indigenous peoples. Nuvangyaoma was the keynote speaker of the first Reentry Summit on Justice Involved Tribal Members that took place at Twin Arrows Casino Resort Aug. 17 - 18.

Hopi Post 80 Lori Piestewa Royalty Dance Group performs the Hopi Hualapi Dance at the Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival in Flagstaff on Saturday morning, Aug. 26.

SANTA FE, N.M. — A museum in New Mexico to honor the Navajo Code Talkers is about $40 million shy of becoming a reality, according to organizers.

The City of Flagstaff celebrated Code Talkers and Indigenous veterans with its second annual Indigenous Code Talkers Day event at the Flagstaff Aquaplex Aug. 14

Ask anyone where the best cup of joe on the western Navajo Nation can be found and they’ll point you in the direction of Stay Grounded coffee truck.

GREY HILLS, Ariz. — When Navajo Grey Hills weaver Barbara Teller Ornelas saw the original Barbie dolls — all blonde hair, blue eyes and 1950s clothes — she certainly didn’t see herself.