Once a one-room, one-person institution, the Navajo Nation Museum has transformed into a 54,000-square-foot cultural center.
It houses an impressive collection of artistic, ethnographic, archaeological, and archival materials, including over 40,000 photographs, alongside a vast array of documents, recordings, films, and videos. The museum diligently preserves anything that documents the culture and history of the Navajo people, even including selected contributions from neighboring tribal and non-Indigenous communities.
Exhibits and Collections of Navajo Nation Museum
The Navajo Nation Museum boasts a dynamic and professional exhibition program, most of which are curated in-house. These displays often highlight Navajo artists’ work across various mediums, including traditional weaving. Art-focused exhibitions are complemented by historical and cultural displays. Visitors can also access many of the collections for onsite study or exhibition loans.
A recent highlight includes a comprehensive and long-term exhibition detailing Navajo culture and history. Among the current exhibits is a moving display on the Long Walk of the Navajo—the harrowing 1864 forced march of Navajo people 300 miles to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Another exhibit, titled Jo’ Jini’–If These Objects Could Talk, features 60 items such as jewelry, folk art, pottery, and historical artifacts. The narrative of these objects is steeped in traditional Navajo wisdom, as reflected in the title phrase Jo’ Jini’ (“That’s what I heard” or “It is said”).
In 2018, the museum showcased an original copy of the Treaty of 1868, which established the Navajo Reservation and marked the end of the Navajos’ imprisonment at Fort Sumner. The loan from the National Archives was a significant cultural event, reflecting the treaty’s profound historical importance.
Beyond the Museum
The Navajo Nation Museum’s gift shop offers books on Navajo culture, handcrafted jewelry, and other curated items. However, its impact extends far beyond its walls. Under the leadership of director Manuelito Wheeler, the museum has become a hub for cultural preservation and education. Wheeler’s notable projects include working with Lucasfilm to create a Navajo-dubbed version of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 2013. In 2016, a Navajo-language version of Finding Nemo, titled Nemo Hádéést’íí, premiered after a year-long collaboration with Pixar. These initiatives have been celebrated as milestones in making the Navajo language accessible to younger generations.
Additionally, the museum collaborated with internationally acclaimed artist Ai Weiwei and Navajo artist Bert Benally on a site-specific installation in a remote canyon. Wheeler has also delivered lectures such as “Navajo Identity Through Global Projects,” solidifying the museum’s role as a global advocate for Navajo culture.
Facilities and Location
Situated in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation, the museum shares its space with the Navajo Nation Library. The library features five special collections supporting historical, legal, cultural, and governmental research. Visitors can enjoy a scenic trail starting just outside the building, leading to a viewpoint overlooking the expansive reservation.
The modern museum building, constructed in 1997 at a cost of $7 million, is surrounded by the iconic sandstone cliffs of the region. Its history dates back to 1961, when a small tribal museum first opened on the fairgrounds. By 1982, it moved to a craft store’s backroom before settling into its current state-of-the-art facility.
Navajo Nation: The Context
The Navajo Nation, or Naabeehó Bináhásdzo in Navajo, spans 27,000 square miles across northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. With over 350,000 residents (as of 2016), it is the largest land area administered by a Native American tribe. Governed by its executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the Navajo Nation operates under federal oversight while managing an array of social, health, and educational services.
The Navajo Nation Museum and its initiatives embody the resilience and vibrancy of Navajo heritage, offering a window into a rich cultural legacy while actively contributing to its future. Visitors to the Navajo Nation Museum will leave with a deeper appreciation of the Navajo people’s enduring history, art, and spirit.
