Last night on Thurs., July 24, I had the honor of joining Council Delegate Germaine Simonson, Silver Stallion and Rezduro for their annual Rez Duro community races in Hard Rock, Ariz., the heart of the Navajo Nation.
While the mountain bike race wasn’t held this year, the spirit of the event remained strong, bringing families together and getting hearts moving across our beautiful homeland.
I arrived just as the youngest riders were getting ready to take off for their one-mile bike ride and run. The excitement on their faces reminded me of why events like this matter. It’s not just about competition, it’s about community, health, and pride in our youth.
There was also a 5K and when the race began, I was quickly left behind in the dust! But it made me proud to see our young ones giving it their all, pushing through the miles under the hot sun with determination in their hearts.
What stood out most was the unity and encouragement shared among parents, volunteers, and runners of all ages. It’s moments like these that help build stronger, healthier Navajo communities, where wellness is rooted in culture and shared values.
Events like Rezduro don’t happen without hard work and heart. I want to thank Rezduro, the Chinle Office of Diné Youth, and Silver Stallion for making this gathering possible. Your commitment to uplifting our people through movement and culture is something we all can be proud of.
This is what it looks like when we ride on rez roads with rez hearts. Let’s keep moving forward together.
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
