IN BECOMING SA’AH NAAGHAI BIK’EH HOZHOON: THE HISTORICAL CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS OF DINÉ COLLEGE By Ferlin Clark Copyright © 2009 Ferlin Clark A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES PROGRAM In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2009 UMI Number: 3360201 Copyright 2009 by Clark, Ferlin All rights reserved INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ______________________________________________________________ UMI Microform 3360201 Copyright 2009 by ProQuest LLC All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. _______________________________________________________________ ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Ferlin Clark entitled In Becoming Sa’ah Naaghai Bik’eh Hozhoon: The Historical Challenges and Triumphs of Diné College, and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Date: April 16, 2009 Dr. Manley A. Begay, Jr., Professor of American Indian Studies Date: April 16, 2009 Dr. Robert Martin, Professor of American Indian Studies Date: April 16, 2009 Dr. Robert A. Williams, Jr., Professor of Law Date: April 16, 2009 Dr. Tom Holm, Professor of American Indian Studies Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. Date: April 16, 2009 Dissertation Director: Professor Dr. Manley A Begay, Jr. 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation 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 dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of sources 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: Ferlin Clark 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ax4hee’ nitsaago t’11 1n0[tso sh7k1’oo[wod. T’11 77yis77 bidziilgo d77 naaltsoos “Sahdii” 1t’4ego 7ish[aa. Al32j8’7g77 hats07 d00 s1anii d00 hataa[ii d00 nidaha[1h7g77 bints7kees d00 binahat’a’ d00 be’iina’ d00 bisiih hasin d00 bisodizin d00 biyiin 11d00 niha’1[ch7n7 be’0lta’ yee 7idool77[7g77 al32j8’ bee b1 hahod7t’4 baa shi[ h0zh=. Bitsisil47 d00 bi bindii’a’ d00 bisa’ah naagh17 bik’eh h0zh00n n11noos4e[ doo biniiy4 nihighangi 0lta’ bidziil7g77 bi[ hahod7t’4. D77 [a’ baa hane’ 7ish[aa. T’11 1ts7s7go doo t’11 1t’4egi a[tso hane’ bee 7ish[aa da. I want to acknowledge and thank my Chair, Dr. Manley A. Begay, and committee members, Dr. Bob Martin, Dr. Rob Williams, and Dr. Tom Holm, for challenging me, and for your patience, guidance, and friendship throughout this tremendous undertaking. I want to thank my brothers Senator Jack C. Jackson, Sr., Dr. Wilson Aronilth, Jr., Mike Mitchell, and Dr. Guy Gorman Sr., who shared their stories, songs, prayers, teachings, and wisdom. You enlightened and inspired me. I wish you good health and happiness. I especially want to thank my wife and son, Gwen and Damon, for your love, support, understanding, prayers, songs, and patience. You are my strength and I love you! For your unending love, support, prayers, songs, I want to thank my father and mother, Jimmie & Irene, and siblings Virgil, Victor, Teresa, and Fitzgerald, and of course Kari Rose, and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. and Ruby Damon, and family. Also, the fireplace and Dził Łeezh, as well as Tabaahi, Ashiihi, Hoghanaagh’nii and Dziłtlahnii clans. I appreciate the Diné College Board of Regents who hired me to serve as President of Diné College, and who allowed me to share this important story. It’s been inspiring, challenging, rewarding, and truly one that I enjoy. I want to thank the American Indian College Fund-Mellon Fellowship Program, Navajo Nation Scholarship Office, Dr. Edward Lewis, Ms. Martha Albrecht, and Ms. Janice C. Warner for your generous financial support. Also, Frank Morgan, Lorene Legah, Dr. Zolbrod, Dr. Dyc, Dr. Bitsóí Largie, Dr. Bitsóí, Dr. Kaulaity, and readers and friends of this study. A’xe’hee! Mentors and your families for your prayers and support along my journey of education: David S. Clark, George Clark, Dudley Yazzie, Matthew Nelson, Jack C. Jackson, Sr., the late Dr. Dean Jackson, Marie Hardy-Saltclah, Nancy David, Dr. Moseley, Dr. Wheelock, Farren Webb, Dr. Knight, Shi Nali Avery Denny, Gibson Gonnie, Dr. Kalvin White, the late scholar Vine Deloria, Jr., and good friends of the tribal college movement. For the TesToh family, my heartfelt thanks to: David & Geraldine, Darlene, Dudley “Sparky” Clark, Mike & Candy Begay families; Kee & Alta John families; Charles & Rita Clark families; George & Jenny Clark family; Vern Clark family; Abraham & Rose Begay families; Raymond Jack Clark family; and aunties Amelia and Juanita and their families. Kee, Joe, Mary, Fannie, Ray, Marlene, and entire Crystal family, axe’hee! 5 DEDICATION This dissertation is a tribute to the legacy of the founders of Navajo Community College, now Diné College. As the first tribally-controlled community college established in the United States, the stories that are interwoven as part of this dissertation represent the vision, leadership, wisdom, knowledge and experiences of a few key individuals who witnessed and participated in what would become the oldest and largest tribal college, Diné College. I dedicate this to all, including former, current, and future students, staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, administrators, presidents, and Board of Regents of the Diné College family toward fulfilling the true vision of the founders. I honor the Bee k’i’dily4h7, gish, d00 hooneeshgish d00 ts’aa d00 t1d7d77n d00 dzi[ n1t’oh d00 n1t’osts’e’ d00 k’et’11n y1[ti’7 d00 xa[ d00 b44sh yist’ogii d00 hadahooniye’ d00 naad1’1[gai d00 naad1’1[tsoii d00 t0 d00 sododizin d00 sin … all are powerful forces that continue to guide the future growth of Diné College … bee noos44[. I also want to acknowledge and honor former Navajo Nation Chairman, Raymond Nakai, Vice-Chairman, Nelson Damon, Dr. Dean C. Jackson, Dr. Ned A. Hatathli, Dr. Robert “Bob” A. Roessel, Jr., Dr. Dillon Platero, Yazzie Begay, Dr. Allen Denny Yazzie, Carl Todacheene, and countless others; you know who you are. Lastly, I want to dedicate this dissertation to my Shi ma Sani, Glenabah Jumbo Hardy who inspired me and who I will treasure and miss. I pay homage to my late grandparents, the late John Hardy, Sr., Shi Nali Jack and Marie Clark; and to my late brothers Louie and Gene. A’xe’hee! 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................9 CHAPTER ONE – THE BEGINNING – THE EAST ..................................................10 Introduction Overview .............................................................................................10 Purpose of Study ......................................................................................................12 Significance of Study ...............................................................................................14 Role of Researcher ...................................................................................................15 Organization of Study ..............................................................................................17 CHAPTER TWO – THE SEARCH – THE SOUTH ....................................................18 Methodology Overview ............................................................................................18 Research Questions ..................................................................................................19 Cultural History ........................................................................................................20 Oral History as a Historical Research Methodology ................................................22 Oral History Methodology .......................................................................................24 American Indian Oral History – The Tradition of Storytelling................................29 Diné Storytelling- Words of Power ..........................................................................36 Data Collection Procedures – Informed Consent Form ...........................................40 Sources and Procedures ............................................................................................41 Selection of Individuals Interviewed ........................................................................42