Facts and Thoughts from watching "30 days on a Navajo Nation." by Khushi Ramteke

 

1. 200, 000 Navajo are spread out over their 17 million acre reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. These people are mostly isolated and live in remote areas. The biggest city in the reservation only has 10,000 people.

2. Rodeoing is a major part of Native American culture. 

3.  In Navajo tradition, running towards the sun is supposed to bring success to one and their family. 

4. On the reservation, it is difficult for individuals to acquire jobs with the lack of opportunity. This is because it is a complicated process to get a lease or start a business. There are not many employers or industries.(Roughly 25 job listings for 200,000 Navajoers!)

5. There are 80,000 people in the Navajo nation who live without running water everyday. They drive to the public well to collect as much water as possible. The average water hauler uses only 10-15 gallons of water a day. They are not receiving sufficient amounts of resources due to the Federal Government. 

6. It is illegal to drink or possess alcohol. However, more than half of the crimes on the reservation are alcohol related.  

7. In 1979, 80% of students spoke Navajo compared to 5% now. The culture is slowly fading away. 

8. A Sweat ceremony is performed by a medicine man to purify the mind and body. 

9. During the first two years of Navajo school, the children speak Navajo, incorporating English as they progress. 

10. Life on the reservation consists of attempting to attach to two worlds ---- their cultural traditions and the western way of life. 

Throughout the years, sports teams have had to change their mascots as they’ve been offensive to the Native American culture. It has been significantly more difficult to change mascots for professional teams than college teams. Professional teams are set to a higher standard than college teams. Additionally, they sustain a larger audience and fan base. The process to even doing so is far more complicated than that of a college team. However, college teams' mascots regard the mascot of the college as well. If my culture, race, or ethnicity was used as a mascot, I personally wouldn’t feel offended as long as it isn’t in an offensive manner. If they are in any way degrading my identity, then I would most likely feel racially violated and uncomfortable.