diné

The Diné, also known as the Navajo, are an Indigenous people of the Southwestern United States. They call themselves Diné, meaning “the People.” The Diné homeland spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, with the Navajo Nation being the largest federally recognized Native American territory by land area, covering about 27,000 square miles. The population includes hundreds of thousands of enrolled members living on and off the reservation.

Language and culture: The Diné speak Diné Bizaad, a Northern Athabaskan language. The language is central to cultural identity, though many speakers are bilingual in English. Social organization emphasizes kinship through clans, and traditional practices center on ceremonies, storytelling, weaving, and intricate silver jewelry. Dwellings traditionally include hogans, and the concept of hózhó, meaning balance and harmony, informs ethics, aesthetics, and daily life.

History: Diné ancestors inhabited the Colorado Plateau long before European contact. After Spanish colonization, and later United States expansion, the Diné faced dispossession and conflict over land and resources. In 1864–1868, the Long Walk forced many Diné to relocate to Bosque Redondo, New Mexico; after negotiations, most returned and the Diné established a recognized political entity. In the 20th century, the Navajo Nation developed its own government, and Diné code talkers contributed to Allied victory during World War II.

Today, the Diné Nation maintains a semi-sovereign government with a President, Vice President, and a 24-seat Navajo Nation Council elected from districts and supported by a network of chapters across communities. Land and resource management, education, and healthcare are major policy priorities, alongside preservation of language and culture. The Diné participate in contemporary arts, science, and governance while preserving a distinct cultural identity rooted in traditional values.