1. James Peshlakai ACR 2011 Annual Conference San Diego, CA James and Family Overlooking the Grand Canyon

3. NATIVE AMERICA: Post Columbus During these occupations of foreign rule, the Navajos lost land, and family. Foreigners attacked Navajo religion, cultural traditions, and philosophy. Navajo leaders throughout these times fought to get their women and children back from slavery. Some ended up as slaves in Mexico, today their descendants return to their ancestral homeland as illegal immigrants.

4. NATIVE AMERICA: Post Columbus In the early 1860s, Kit Carson rounded up the Navajos. They were forcibly marched on what was later named “The Long Walk”; hundreds died. The U.S. government incarcerated the remaining Navajos in a concentration camp name Ft. Sumner located in New Mexico hundreds of miles from the Navajos homeland.

6. Navajos: WWII With the help of William Johnston, a local missionary. They met with President Theodore Roosevelt. In their group was a seven year old Philip Johnston (William's son), who served as their interpreter. Philip later assisted in establishment of the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II.

10. NAVAJOS Post Treaty of 1868 Mt. Hesperus Mt. Blanco San Francisco Peaks Mt Taylor

11. James Peshlakai’s time. Congress passed an Act that denied the Navajo people their fundamental rights to, Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Since that time the Navajo Tribe has been locked in law suits with the neighboring Hopi Tribe, over land jurisdiction. The Act passed by Congress continues to disrupt the lives of the Navajo people. Navajo’s are unable to build, repair homes. Schools, job opportunities, are extremely limited. Crime, poverty, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse are higher than the national average.

16. CONCLUSION My people expect me to continue to defend the rights of all the People. For the Navajo “people” include: the people with two legs, four legs, many legs, the people of the sky and clouds, the growing people (plants), people of the mountain, the earth and the water. By teaching each other and understanding one’s culture; I sincerely believe in the Blessing Way of Life.

17. Questions?