WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined elders, families and community members on September 4 at the Annie Wauneka Song and Dance Arena to celebrate Elder Fest, one of the most cherished traditions of the 77th Annual Navajo Nation Fair.
The all-day event was held from 9am to 3pm, and was dedicated to honoring Navajo elders, the keepers of language, culture and resilience, with activities of recognition, entertainment and community.
President Nygren’s office also handed out free kitchen essentials that included paper towels, foil trays, dish soap, sandwich bags, coffee filters, and foil as a gift of gratitude for those who nourished us.
Highlights of the program included the Elder and Queen Coronation, lively social songs and dances led by Little Boy Blue, and free luncheon sponsored by Division of Natural resources, who served about 4,006 hot trays.
The celebration also welcomed the Cibecue Crown Dancers, whose performance brought cultural blessings and spirit to the arena. Additional activities included door prizes, a best dressed contest, games, and community giveaways that added joy and laughter to the day.
President Nygren expressed his gratitude to the elders, emphasizing their importance as the foundation of Navajo families and governance. By attending Elder Fest, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in elder services, from supporting senior centers to ensuring programs that protect and uplift Navajo elders.
“Elder Fest is more than a celebration,” President Nygren said. “It is our chance to honor the wisdom, strength, and love of our elders, the very people who carried us through hardship and continue to guide our Nation forward.”
Elder Fest welcomed hundreds of participants from across the Navajo Nation, creating an atmosphere of unity and cultural pride.
The event remains a cornerstone of the Navajo Nation Fair, reminding younger generations of the responsibility to respect and care for those who came before them.
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