Sacred places hold immense significance in Navajo traditions and communities, playing a vital role in cultural preservation and spiritual practices. These sacred sites are deeply intertwined with the Navajo way of life, serving as focal points for ceremonies, rituals, and connections to the spiritual world. The Navajo people revere various sacred mountains, rivers, offering sites, and landscapes as traditional cultural properties (TCPs), recognizing them as essential for the well-being of the community.

Despite their cultural and spiritual importance, sacred sites within the Navajo Nation and other Native nations face significant challenges. Urbanization, resource exploitation, and other forms of development have encroached upon these sacred places, limiting access and disrupting the traditional practices and rituals that have sustained the Navajo people for generations (Barclay & Steele, 2021; Advisory Council, 2015).

Navajo Technical University (NTU) has taken a proactive approach to address these challenges, incorporating the preservation of sacred sites into its curricular and research initiatives (Vandever, 2020). Through interdisciplinary collaborations and the integration of traditional Navajo knowledge, NTU is educating students and the broader community about the significance of these sacred places while also developing innovative solutions to safeguard them.

IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING SACRED SITES

In Navajo cultural contexts, sacred places assume profound significance, embodying integral roles in the preservation of cultural heritage and the facilitation of spiritual practices (Martin, n.d.). Such sites are deeply ingrained within Navajo society, serving as pivotal locales for ceremonial activities, rites, and engagement with the spiritual realm. Often marked by offerings such as pollen and gemstones, TCPs serve as venues for prayers and songs, symbolizing a profound connection to spiritual and traditional values (Bombardieri & Horwedel, 2022; Office of Environmental Management, 2024).

Anson Etsitty Sr., vice president of the Diné Hataałii Association and culture professor at NTU’s Chinle campus, points out the significance of preserving sacred places within Navajo culture. He identifies various sacred landmarks, including mountains like Mount Crispus and Mount Taylor, along with other notable sites such as Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Reflecting on his teaching methods, Etsitty emphasizes the importance of imparting foundational Navajo knowledge to students, including creation stories and the significance of sacred mountains and celestial bodies. This holistic approach to education ensures that the next generation of Navajo leaders and community members understand the cultural and spiritual importance of these sacred sites.

Located less than 45 aerial miles from NTU’s main campus in Crownpoint, Tsoodził, Mount Taylor, is the southern sacred mountain of the Diné.

Sacred places play a crucial role in Navajo well-being. The concept of hozho encompasses beauty and restoring health, and it is important as a healing process that involves locating and offering chants, songs, and sacred gemstones at specific sites, such as lightning-struck trees. The preservation of these sacred sites is essential for maintaining the Navajo people’s connection to their cultural heritage and spiritual practices.

There is a vital link between education, reverence for sacred places, and cultural preservation. Community member Randy Begay emphasizes the significance of tobacco within traditional ceremonies. Tobacco originates from Navajo sacred lands, a fact that further underscores the overarching importance of safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations. Begay’s viewpoint illustrates the interconnectedness between Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, and environmental stewardship, highlighting the imperative for community members to actively engage in preservation efforts. His advocacy for education illuminates TCUs’ commitment to integrating cultural teachings into academic curricula, fostering a deeper understanding of and appreciation for sacred sites among students and community members alike. NTU and other TCUs serve as catalysts for empowering individuals and communities to uphold Indigenous traditions and values in the face of modern challenges.

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly is the home of Spider Woman, the deity who taught the Diné the art of weaving along with the Beauty Way—how living in harmony with the world creates balance in mind, body, and soul.

NTU is committed to incorporating cultural values into various disciplines such as nursing to nurture a holistic approach to healing, education, and community engagement. Autumn Short, an NTU nursing assistant student, stresses the significance of sacred places in Navajo culture. She is grounded by the teachings surrounding the four sacred mountains, which represent the cardinal directions of East, South, West, and North. Short further notes that in Navajo tradition, the Warrior Twins are revered for their role in defeating giants, ensuring protection within the boundaries of the four sacred mountains. Short explains the importance of respecting these sites, highlighting the belief in a sort of karmic repercussion for those who do not show proper reverence.

NAVAJO TECH’S ROLE IN PRESERVING THE SACRED

Navajo Technical University has taken a multifaceted approach to incorporating the preservation of sacred sites into its curriculum and research initiatives (Vandever, 2020). As a tribal college, NTU recognizes the vital role these culturally and spiritually significant places play in the Navajo way of life and the importance in educating students about their significance and the need for their protection (Bombardieri & Horwedel, 2022).

Through interdisciplinary collaborations, NTU has effectively utilized the collective expertise of faculty members spanning diverse academic disciplines to develop innovative programs and courses aimed at addressing the preservation of sacred sites. For example, Dr. Anusuya Vellingiri, a professor specializing in building information modeling, explains the significance of integrating sacred places into the university’s curriculum as a means of honoring Navajo cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs. In her courses, Dr. Vellingiri encourages students to examine geographic features, such as reservation fault lines, and their juxtaposition with sacred sites, illustrating the nuanced relationship between natural landscapes and cultural significance.

NTU recently hosted Dion Smith, a senior lead engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton who is renowned for his expertise in high power electromagnetics and their applications. Smith, who is of Acoma Pueblo and Diné heritage, visited the university, sharing insights from his extensive experience in engineering and defense research and how his understanding of sacred sites impacted his choice of profession. NTU regularly invites Diné artists who incorporate sacred places into their artwork, further enriching the cultural landscape and fostering deeper connections to Navajo sacred sites, traditions, and beliefs.

Such guest lectures, workshops, and field trips serve to educate students about the significance of these sacred sites and to cultivate a sense of responsibility for their protection. By involving elders and knowledge keepers in the curriculum development process, NTU ensures that traditional Navajo knowledge and perspectives are integrated into the educational experience. This fosters a deeper understanding and respect for these culturally significant landscapes, sacred spaces, and the Navajo way of life for the next generation of students.

NTU nursing student Amber Castillo expresses gratitude for learning about her Navajo heritage at NTU, acknowledging the vital role the university played in fostering her education and instilling a sense of responsibility toward cultural preservation. She believes there is a cultural imperative of living within the sacred mountains. Castillo emphasizes the need for younger generations to be educated about the significance of these sites and the threats they face from climate change, desecration, and lack of awareness. During site visits, Castillo observed instances of graffiti and noted the visible effects of erosion on rock formations. She attributes the presence of graffiti to a lack of understanding regarding the sacred nature of these sites, suggesting that enhanced education initiatives, like those at TCUs, may mitigate harm inflicted upon them. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, NTU has established partnerships with tribal communities and organizations to collaborate on sacred site preservation efforts. These collaborations have enabled the university to better understand the unique challenges faced by each community and to develop tailored solutions that address their specific needs.

Dalla Begay, a former NTU professor, emphasizes the significance of these sites for ceremonial practices and laments the decline in traditional practices. She says there is a need for educating youth about these sites through hands-on experiences and interdisciplinary activities to ensure cultural preservation for future generations. Severe weather events like droughts and wildfires have disrupted traditional activities, limited access to remote sacred sites, and threatened the preservation of cultural artifacts. These challenges highlight the interconnectedness between harsh weather and sacred sites, which affect traditional ceremonies reliant on specific flora and fauna. Addressing these issues is crucial for safeguarding Navajo cultural heritage and ensuring the continuation of traditional rituals at sacred sites.

As a regional leader in innovation, NTU also embraces the use of cutting-edge technologies to aid in the documentation and preservation of sacred sites. Dr. Sundaram Arumugam, an electrical engineering professor, has spearheaded research focused on promoting health within Navajo sacred places such as hogans by addressing issues like poor indoor air quality. Through the development of cost-effective solutions like box fan filters, NTU is demonstrating its commitment to preserving the integrity and well-being of the most intimate of sacred spaces.

Gregg Perry, an NTU culinary arts student, praises NTU for its thorough teachings on the significance of the sacred mountains, emphasizing the protective role they play for those residing near them. He shares his experience researching the Navajo Treaty of 1868, focusing on the articles pertaining to the four sacred mountains and their symbolic importance to the Diné. Through his student research, Perry learned about the spiritual significance of sacred animals like horned toads and highlighted the abundance of indigenous plant life surrounding these mountains, emphasizing their role in providing sustenance and protection.

By incorporating the preservation of sacred sites into academic programs and research initiatives, NTU is honoring the Navajo cultural heritage and empowering its students to become stewards of these sacred places (Langton et al., 2005; Shreve, 2020). This holistic approach ensures that the reverence and protection of these culturally significant landscapes are passed down to future generations, safeguarding the Navajo way of life for years to come.

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

Despite their cultural and spiritual importance, sacred sites within the Navajo Nation, the Zuni reservation, and other Native nations in New Mexico face significant challenges. Urbanization, resource exploitation, and other forms of development have encroached upon these sacred places, limiting access and disrupting the traditional practices and rituals that have sustained Native people for generations (Barclay & Steele, 2021; Advisory Council, 2015).

One of the primary challenges is the threat of development and resource extraction projects that have the potential to desecrate or destroy sacred sites. For example, the construction of the U.S. border wall in 2020 resulted in the “blowing up” of Apache burial sites, highlighting the ongoing disregard for the sanctity of these places (Barclay & Steele, 2021). Professor Etsitty explains that the Peabody coal mine’s operations in the Navajo Nation similarly exemplified the Navajo people’s struggle to protect sacred lands from resource exploitation.

The physical and legal barriers to accessing sacred sites pose significant challenges for Indigenous communities. After being divested of their traditional homelands, tribal members are often placed in the difficult position of being beholden to the government to continue engaging in their spiritual practices in those places (Barclay & Steele, 2021). Fences, restricted access, and vandalism of sacred sites, such as the desecration of petroglyphs and the disruption of access to lightning-struck trees and spring water offerings, further hinder the ability of Navajos and other Indigenous peoples to maintain their cultural and spiritual traditions.

The Honorable Robert Yazzie, chief justice emeritus of the Navajo Nation and now a law professor at NTU, says there is a widespread lack of awareness around sacred sites, which necessitates greater protections.

The Honorable Robert Yazzie, an NTU law professor and chief justice emeritus of the Navajo Nation, notes that while some sacred places are open to the public, others are accessible only to individuals for ceremonial purposes. He emphasizes the pressing challenges threatening these sacred sites, including the lack of awareness of the sites themselves and the need for their protection. Navajo sacred sites are also threatened by instances of intrusion, where unauthorized individuals enter restricted areas without permission, disrupting ceremonial activities and causing disturbances to the sacred space. Vandalism poses a significant threat, with instances of graffiti, defacement, and destruction of cultural artifacts becoming increasingly common, which diminishes the integrity and sanctity of these sites. There is a pressing need for increased awareness and preservation efforts to safeguard Navajo sacred sites from encroachment, environmental degradation, and cultural appropriation, ensuring their continued significance and reverence within Navajo traditions and communities (Barclay & Steele, 2021).

Gregg Perry believes the next steps in protecting sacred sites are implementing initiatives for surveillance to deter unauthorized access and protect medicinal herbs found within these sites, especially utilizing drone and camera technology. He likened sacred sites to graveyards and stressed the need for proper stewardship to ensure their preservation.

The disparity in legal protections afforded to Indigenous sacred sites compared to non-Indigenous places of worship is a concerning issue that perpetuates the ongoing threat to the preservation of these culturally and spiritually significant landscapes (Barclay & Steele, 2021; Advisory Council, 2015). This egregious double standard in the law stems in part from the fundamental difference between Indigenous and Western conceptions of sacred spaces. As Shreve (2007) points out, Native spiritual traditions are “based on space, with sacred lands having the highest possible meaning,” while Western religions are primarily oriented around time and the concept of an eternal paradise or hell. Since Indigenous sacred places are intrinsically tied to the natural world, such as mountains, rivers, or forests, they often clash with the Western legal tradition, which is rooted in a rationalist worldview that prioritizes man-made structures and property rights.

This inherent bias toward Western conceptions of sacred places, deeply ingrained in our legal system, has inevitably led to a troubling double standard where non-Indigenous places of worship, typically constructed buildings such as churches or synagogues, enjoy stronger legal safeguards than their Native counterparts (Shreve, 2007; Barclay & Steele, 2021; Advisory Council, 2015). Addressing this disparity requires a fundamental shift in our understanding and recognition of the profound spiritual significance that Indigenous communities ascribe to the natural world.

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Navajo Technical University has encouraged the preservation of sacred sites that are deeply woven into the fabric of Navajo culture and spirituality. Through its multifaceted approach to integrating traditional knowledge and modern technologies, the university is empowering its students to become stewards of these culturally significant landscapes, equipping the next generation with the skills and values necessary to safeguard these places for generations to come (Vandever, 2020; Langton et al., 2005; Shreve, 2020). Dr. Sundaram and Vellingiri explain that the university’s collaborative efforts with tribal communities and its embrace of innovative solutions such as laser scanning and air quality improvements demonstrate NTU’s unwavering commitment to preserving the sacred in the face of mounting challenges.

As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of urbanization, resource exploitation, and other forms of development, the work of Navajo Technical University serves as a powerful example of how tribal colleges can play a pivotal role in protecting and revitalizing the sacred places that are essential to the well-being and cultural identity of Indigenous communities (Barclay & Steele, 2021; Advisory Council, 2015). By fostering a deep respect for Navajo traditions and empowering students to become stewards of these sacred sites, NTU is ensuring that the Navajo way of life endures, even in the face of an uncertain future.

Wafa Hozien, PhD, is a university academic affairs executive; Henry H. Fowler, EdD (Diné), is an associate math professor at NTU and co-founder of Navajo Math Circles.

REFERENCES

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. (2015). The Protection of Indian Sacred Sites: General information. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, & U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved from https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/ 2018 07/TheProtectionofIndianSacredSitesGeneralInformationJuly2015.pdf

Barclay, S., & Steele, M. (2021). Rethinking Protections for Indigenous Sacred Sites. Harvard Law Review, 134(4), 1294-1362. Retrieved from https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-134/rethinking-protections-for-indigenoussacred-sites/

Bombardieri, M., & Horwedel, D. (2022, November 18). For Native Americans, Tribal Colleges Tackle the “Present-Day Work of Our Ancestors.” Center for American Progress. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/for-native-americans-tribal-colleges-tackle-the-present-day-work-ofour-ancestors/

Langton, M., Rhea, Z.M., & Palmer, L. (2005). Community-Oriented Protected Areas for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Journal of Political Ecology, 12(1), 23-50. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2458/v12i1.21672

Martin, J.A. (n.d.). Significant Traditional Cultural Properties of the Navajo People. Window Rock, AZ: Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department. Retrieved from https://hpd.navajo-nsn.gov/Portals/0/Files/TCPBook.pdf

Shreve, B.G. (2007). Of Gods and Broken Rainbows: Native American Religions, Western Rationalism, and the Problem of Sacred Lands. New Mexico Historical Review, 82(3), 369-390. Retrieved from https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2177&context=nmhr

Shreve, B. (2020). Honoring the Past, Facing the Future. Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education, 31(3), 8-9. Retrieved from https://tribalcollegejournal. org/honoring-the-past-facing-the-future/

Office of Environmental Management. (2024, February 20). EM Connects Tribal People for Unique Discussion on Protecting Sacred Sites. U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/em-connects-tribal-people-unique-discussion-protecting-sacred-sites

Vandever, D. (2020). Engineering the Future: How Navajo Technical University Developed the First Tribally Controlled Engineering Program. Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education, 31(3), 34-38.