Navajo Leader Quotes

Here is one scholar’s description of life among the Navajo: “No one who actively seeks power is to be trusted. Leaders arise out of example and emulation. If someone is successful at growing corn, he is emulated and to that extent is a leader. If someone knows many verses to a curing chant, he is respected for that accomplishment and his status as a ‘singer’ is considerable. Politicking, handshaking … have no place in traditional Navajo society.

Speaking to the U.S. vice president, leaders of the Iroquois Nation said, “We represent the oldest, though smallest, democracy in the world today. . . . It is the unanimous sentiment among the Indian people that the atrocities of the Axis nations are violently repulsive to all sense of righteousness of our people.” The Navajo Nation’s council pledged their loyalty “to the system which recognizes minority rights.