The Azee' Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation: Strategic Planning & Management Strategies for the 21St Century
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The Azee' Bee Nahághá Of Diné Nation: Strategic Planning & Management Strategies For The 21st Century Item Type text; Electronic Thesis Authors Begay, Derwin Brian Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 01/10/2021 11:30:06 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/593496 THE AZEE’ BEE NAHÁGHÁ OF DINÉ NATION: STRATEGIC PLANNING & MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY by Derwin B. Begay ____________________________ Copyright © Derwin B. Begay 2015 A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the GRADUATE INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM IN AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2015 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that an accurate acknowledgement of the source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: Derwin B. Begay APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: May 13, 2015 _ Dr. Manley A. Begay Jr. Date Professor of American Indian Studies 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS diyin din , níłch’i diyin, hinááh azeé áá é é ááł óó á á á á I want to acknowledge and thank my Chair, Dr. Manley A. Begay Jr., and committee members, Dr. Ronald L. Trosper, and Dr. Benedict J. Colombi, for challenging me, and for your patience, guidance, and friendship throughout this undertaking. I want to thank Shidá'í Mr. Steven S. Benally and Mr. Leroy Thomas, Shi Randy Begay and Yázhí Irene Yazzie and your families who shared their stories, songs, prayers, teachings, and wisdom. You enlightened and inspired me. I wish you each good health and happiness. I especially want to thank my wife, Kimberly, daughter and son, Sara and James, for your love, support, understanding, prayers, songs, and patience. You are my strength and I love you! For your unending love, support, prayers, and songs, I want to thank my father and mother, Abraham & Rose Begay, and siblings Starlena, Abralene, Marius, and Monty, and of course mother-and father-in-law, Ladonna and the late Reverend George E. Daingkau; my Oklahoma family; Curtis, Karlene, Jess and my nieces and nephews. Also, ł Ł , the fireplace as well as ł and clans. I appreciate the Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation (ABNDN) Inc. administration and its members who approved me to pursue this research and who allowed me to share this important story. It’s been inspiring, challenging, rewarding, and truly one that I enjoyed. I want to thank the American Indian College Fund, the American Indian Graduate College Fund, Navajo Nation Scholarship Office, and Dr. Edward Lewis for your generous financial support. To my mentors and your families for your prayers and support along my journey of education: Dr. Mary J. Moseley, Dr. Richard M. Wheelock, Dr. Kathleen S. Fine-Dare, Dr. Byron 4 Dare, Mr. Greg Redhouse, Mr. Steven Martin, Native American Student Affairs Director, and many others, you know who you are. For my Teesto, Wheatfield and Seba Dalkai families my heartfelt thanks to: David & Geraldine Clark; Jimmy & Irene Clark; Kee & Alta John family; Charles & Rita Clark family; George & Jenny Clark family; Vern Clark family; Raymond Jack Clark family; and aunties Amelia and Juanita and their families; Dudley & Alice Yazzie family; Bob & Lily Walters family; Gus & Mary Sandoval family; Wallace & Donna Begay family; Evelin & the late Thomas Begay Sr. family; David & Sharon Begay family; Leonard Begay family; Stetson Begay family; Alvin & Marilyn Clark family; and Henry Billy family. 5 DEDICATION This thesis is a tribute to the legacy of the founders of the Native American Church of Navajoland Inc. (NACNL), now Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc., as one of the most misunderstood and controversial religious organizations in the United States, established on the Navajo Nation. The information that is interwoven as part of this thesis is a representation of the Nitsáhákees – Thinking; Nahat’á – Planning; Iiná – Livelihood; and Sihasin – Protection of its founders, past and current leadership. I dedicate this to all current and future leaders and their families toward fulfilling the true vision of the founders. I honor the Diyin Din , Níłch’i Diyin, Hinááh Azeé, Azeé Bee Hooghááł, Bihonik’e’ dóó Bee Nahagháhí the principles of Nitsáhákees, Nahat’á, Iiná, d Sihasin, sododizin d sin…all powerful energies that provide guidance and strength for the Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation to continue to grow and strive forward – . I also want to acknowledge and honor the late Hola Tso, former council delegate; the first NACNL administration including David S. Clark, President; James Notah, Vice President; Robert Shorty, Jr., Secretary; Anson C. Damon, Treasurer; Dudley Yazzie, and all preceding leaders and their families, and countless others; you know who you are. Lastly, I want to pay homage to the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Marie Clark who inspired me and who I treasure and miss. I also want to pay homage to my late paternal grandparents, Hastiin the late Mr. and Mrs. Naash B (the planters son) & Elizabeth Begay; (Curly Mustache); (Red Mustache); Ashkii (Laughing Boy); Leonard Tsosie; (Black Mountain Man); and (Tall Skinny Man); who were part of the Deeshgiizhnii, T and clans…Ah ane’. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. 10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 11 RESEARCH INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW ........................................................................... 16 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 16 Purpose of the Research Questions ........................................................................................... 18 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................... 18 Research Paradigm ................................................................................................................... 21 Limitations of Study ................................................................................................................... 24 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................................................. 25 CHAPTER ONE: : INTRODUCTION ON THE BACKGROUND HISTORY OF NAVAJO PEYOTE WAY OF LIFE ...................................................................................... 28 The Struggle to Organize Against Anti-Peyote Policies in the United States ........................... 29 Adaptation and Transformation of Navajo Peyotism ................................................................ 33 Medicinal Research of Peyote .................................................................................................. 37 Education Policies of Assimilation ........................................................................................... 39 Constitutional Legality .............................................................................................................. 41 Resolution No. CJ-I-40 .............................................................................................................. 43 Navajo Peyote Struggles ........................................................................................................... 44 A New Beginning ....................................................................................................................... 50 Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc. Leadership................................................................. 52 Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc. Community Today ..................................................... 54 CHAPTER TWO: : REPORT, EVENTS & OVERALL CHALLENGES FACING AZEE’ BEE NAH GH OF DIN NATION INC (ABNDN) ................................... 56 Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc. Events ....................................................................... 59 Overall Challenges Facing the Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc .................................. 63 Priority Challenges ................................................................................................................... 66 The Mormon Church as a Comparison Model for the ABNDN ............................................... 77 Current Environment of the Azee’ Bee Nahághá of Diné Nation Inc ....................................... 81 Working Relationship with Community & Businesses .............................................................. 81 Working Relationship within ABNDN ...................................................................................... 82 The ABNDN Context ................................................................................................................