Demographic
Readers of this unit have to know that the Diné Reservation covers a huge piece of northern Arizona, some northwestern part of New Mexico, and a small section deep in southeastern Utah. Residing on a piece of land that is comparable to the size of West Virginia is mind blowing for an educator. The divisions of four main areas will show some differences in interpretation of creation stories. Learners in our classroom have heard of the creation stories. Students at Kayenta Unified school district have a basic knowledge of the clan system and how it came to be from listening to the creation story. Our Diné have diverse ethnic backgrounds. The eastern part of the Diné Nation district comprises the northwestern part of New Mexico. The central district is the middle of the allotted land that we call Navajo reservation: then we have the northern region that encompasses lower southeastern Utah and the northern state line of Arizona. The division on the western side of the reservation is the entrance to The Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and Little Colorado River. These are some of the land marks that drape the edges of this region.
Why the extensive description of the land? The location of the reservation is important to this unit. As in many vast populations, perceptions and small differences will be present. Learners will begin to accept difference and not be so confined to one way of understanding Navajo culture and being Navajo as they gain a different perspective on identity.
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