Ch'ooshgai Community School visits President Buu Nygren

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Sixth and seventh graders from Ch'ooshgai Community School, located in Tohatchi, N.M., visited Navajo governmental offices and stopped by the Office of the President and Vice President on Friday morning.

The students got a tour of the office before meeting with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.

Students and their teachers filled the state room where they listened to the President speak about the importance of their futures and learning to be thankful.

Ch'ooshgai Community School is a tribally-controlled school that serves grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

One of the visions of the community school is to educate students to become successful and contributing leaders in a multi-cultural society.

President Nygren told the young students to be thankful.

“Be thankful for your parents, be thankful for your teachers,” he told them.

The president gave the students homework and said for them to praise their family and to tell them how much they love them.

“You go home, or somewhere, and if you see a grandma, this is what I want you to say: ‘Yá'át'ééh, shimásání, ayóó'ánííníshní. Ahxéhee'.’ So when you do that, whether it’s an elder or your grandparents, you’re really going to make their day. You’re going to make them so happy that you said that to them,” said President Nygren.

The President instructed the students to say the same that to a grandfather when they saw one.

“We’re going to do cheii now: ‘Yá'át'ééh, shicheii, ayóó'ánííníshní. Ahxéhee'.’ Those words are really powerful,” he said.

The President took some time to answer some questions posed from the students.

One student asked him to what it’s like to be the president of the largest tribe in the United States.

“As president, you’re the voice of the Navajo people. You set the tone, you get the chance to be the change. I want to make sure people can get homesite leases, have jobs, so we can start businesses, and have safe communities,” he said to them.

Another asked President Nygren how hard his job is being a leader.

“It’s as hard as you make it,” he answered. “You’re job is going to be difficult if you think of it as a job. So, make sure you pursue things that bring joy and happiness because if you don’t enjoy it and if it doesn’t bring you happiness, you’re never going to be good at it.”

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