Standing inside the Navajo Nation Museum, I was humbled to see one of the original copies of the 1868 Treaty — a document signed with an ‘X’ by our leaders, yet carrying the weight of generations. It was more than ink on paper. It was a promise. A way home.
This treaty gave us the right to return to our sacred lands after the Long Walk — a trauma that still continues to exist within our people. But from that pain, we rose. We became the Navajo Nation — a sovereign Nation with a voice, with strength, with purpose.
What moved me most was seeing our people come full circle. Today, our youth are graduating with dreams rooted in both tradition and modern knowledge. I spent the past month celebrating with them — hearing their hopes and dreams, seeing their joy. They spoke of becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, welders, ranchers — and coming back to serve Dinétah. They are living proof that the treaty endures — not just in museums, but in every step we take forward.
The 1868 Treaty is not just history. It’s the foundation of our sovereignty, our resilience, and our future.
Thank you to the Navajo Nation Museum staff who gave me a tour of their museum and shared the history of our Navajo people.
“We’re just all here volunteering just to provide food for the community and those that we come to see the treaty today,” said Shandiin Jeff, delegated director for NNM. “It’s just that a little token to say thank you and we just wanted to let everybody leave happy and with a full belly.“
Thank you to Jeff for working together with the museum employees to cook mutton stew and roast mutton sandwiches for free for attendees.
“We’re not just a museum, we’re a community center,” said Jeff.
Her mentality and spirit is similar to a majority of our Díné.
We are here. We remember. And we thrive.
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
