Brown-Almaweri a role model for Navajo leaders

There is this article, "Student hopes to teach others about their cultural identity". The article discusses how one student, Baahh Nazoshnii Brown-Almaweri, tries to promote Navajo language and culture. She got a $10,000 grant for an afterschool program in Ganado for teenagers to learn about "healthy eating habits, positive body image, and Mother Earth and living traditions." A key goal for the program is retaining cultural identity. Where it gets interesting is when the article describes the Navajo Indian reservation,

"It's also a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-runned public schools."

The article acknowledges the forced assimilation of Navajos. Further, in light of the present race climate surrounding Native Americans in America, this article courageously and plainly acknowledges this country's hatred for Navajo culture. We see this racism today in our state education policies where our state school curriculum (Structured English Immersion in Arizona) is designed to make English speakers out of Navajos. In the process, our divine right to "the fundamental values and principles of Diné Life Way" and "the right and freedom of the Diné to be educated as to Diné Bi beenahaz'áanii," as described in the Navajo Fundamental Law, is being diminished. Ms. Brown-Almaweri is trying to do something about this problem. I wish our leadership would do the same and put more effort into addressing this issue. This would require a courageous leader.

Baahh-Nazoshnnii Brown-Almaweri ’17 is familiar with the myriad issues facing young people of the Navajo Nation. - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhCTR.dpuf

We sIt’s a a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-run public schools - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhCT

It’s also a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-run public schools. - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhCTR.dpuf

It’s also a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-run public schools. - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhCTR.dpuf

It’s also a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-run public schools. - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhCTR.dpuf

It’s also a place where many have been stripped of their cultural identity because of forced assimilation by state-run public schools. - See more at: https://www.union.edu/news/stories/2017/03/from-navajo-nation-to-union-student-hopes-to-teach-others-about-their-cultural-identity.php#sthash.bgUYhC".