Rationale
" Shk'47, shidine'4, a[tah '11s99[g00…h1adida l4i'nizaad, nihisodizin, 1d0one'4 niidl7n7g77 d00 nihe'1'1l'9' nihi[ ch'aaw0le' sha'1[ch7n7, hosidool99'j9' sidoo[dee'j9'." These are the words left with the Diné by the great leader Chief Manuelito which roughly translates as, My children how every many you become, where ever you may go in the future as a people, do not forget our language, our culture, our prayers. Chief Manuelito was a person before his time. He had foresight and understanding of what was coming for the Diné Nation. He had left a message for his children, us, to follow when we cross the issues of language, culture, and heritage. His message was very clear of what was likely to happen in the future and to look out for those parts of intangible heritage that could be lost forever if not heeded.
The message Hastiin Ch'il Haajin (Chief Manuelito) has been left by the wayside while Diné have been busy with learning the Anglo American way of surviving. In this state of learning, a different way to live for survival, many of my people have moved on without or with little of Diné language, Diné culture, Dine teachings, and Diné prayers. Today, Diné are at a place where many of our people are unable to pass down to the young generation our Diné language, Diné culture, Dine teachings, and Diné prayers. The very essence and foundation of Diné, the very fabric that makes us a unique people, Diné, is being left behind and neglected.
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