Navajo Times
Encyclopedia
The Navajo Times – known during the early 1980s as Navajo Times Today – is a newspaper created by the Navajo Tribal Council
in 1959, which later became the first daily newspaper published by a Native American Indian Nation. It is published in English
; its headquarters is located in Window Rock, Arizona
.
Over the past half century, its editorial staff has continually faced challenges from political leaders and opponents, and the publication was at one point shut down with its entire staff fired.
, with only rarely and infrequently printing an insert or extra in Navajo
.
Originally created as a monthly newsletter and mouthpiece of the Tribal Council, the paper had become a weekly publication by the early 1960s. Unlike other newspapers under the control of Native American
governments, its editorial staff grew increasingly vocal in asserting its right to freedom of the press, guaranteed in the Navajo Nation
's 4th Amendment to the Bill of Rights.
In the late 1970s, the paper had its first confrontations with then–Tribal Chairman Raymond Nakai who had its general manager fired and re-hired several times due to the publication's critical editorials.
In 1982, with its format now being that of a daily newspaper and its circulation increasing from 4,000 to 8,000, the name was changed to Navajo Times Today under then-editor Mark Trahant. It thereby became the first daily newspaper published by a Native American Nation in the United States
. During the 1980s, its editorial staff enjoyed a period of journalistic freedom with its reporters being free to take a critical stance towards the government.
; in its editorial, it had endorsed MacDonald's opponent, Peterson Zah
, during the campaign and continued to take a critical stance in its editorials. The entire staff was subsequently laid off. MacDonald claimed that the shutdown was due to the paper's losing money and being financially unstable.
When publication resumed four months later, the Navajo Times returned as a weekly.
Navajo Tribal Council
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council...
in 1959, which later became the first daily newspaper published by a Native American Indian Nation. It is published in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
; its headquarters is located in Window Rock, Arizona
Window Rock, Arizona
Window Rock is the seat of government and capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest territory of a sovereign Native American nation in North America. Window Rock contains the Navajo Nation Council, the Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park, as well as the Navajo Nation World War II Memorial...
.
Over the past half century, its editorial staff has continually faced challenges from political leaders and opponents, and the publication was at one point shut down with its entire staff fired.
History
The first issue was published on August 4, 1960 and sold for 10 cents a piece, its slogan being "Voice of Scenic Navajoland." Unlike its predecessor Ádahooníłígíí of the 1940s, the Times is published in EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, with only rarely and infrequently printing an insert or extra in Navajo
Navajo language
Navajo or Navaho is an Athabaskan language spoken in the southwestern United States. It is geographically and linguistically one of the Southern Athabaskan languages .Navajo has more speakers than any other Native American language north of the...
.
Originally created as a monthly newsletter and mouthpiece of the Tribal Council, the paper had become a weekly publication by the early 1960s. Unlike other newspapers under the control of Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
governments, its editorial staff grew increasingly vocal in asserting its right to freedom of the press, guaranteed in the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
's 4th Amendment to the Bill of Rights.
In the late 1970s, the paper had its first confrontations with then–Tribal Chairman Raymond Nakai who had its general manager fired and re-hired several times due to the publication's critical editorials.
In 1982, with its format now being that of a daily newspaper and its circulation increasing from 4,000 to 8,000, the name was changed to Navajo Times Today under then-editor Mark Trahant. It thereby became the first daily newspaper published by a Native American Nation in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During the 1980s, its editorial staff enjoyed a period of journalistic freedom with its reporters being free to take a critical stance towards the government.
Shutdown
After the 1987 election, the paper – still being funded by the Navajo Nation's government – was shut down by president Peter MacDonaldPeter MacDonald (Navajo leader)
Peter MacDonald is a Native American politician and the only four term Chairman of the Navajo Tribe. He was born in Arizona, U.S.A., served the U.S...
; in its editorial, it had endorsed MacDonald's opponent, Peterson Zah
Peterson Zah
Peterson Zah was the first Navajo President and the last Chairman of the Navajo people. Since 1995, he has been working at Arizona State University as the Special Adviser to ASU President on American Indian Affairs...
, during the campaign and continued to take a critical stance in its editorials. The entire staff was subsequently laid off. MacDonald claimed that the shutdown was due to the paper's losing money and being financially unstable.
When publication resumed four months later, the Navajo Times returned as a weekly.