We Shall Remain: Utah Indian Elementary Curriculum Guide - The Navajos;
Subject
Indians of North America; Children; Education, Elementary; Indians of North America--Education;
Place names
Utah;
Keyword
Education; Indians of North America--Education; Navajo Indians; Indians of North America; Culture; Navajo Indians -- History; Utah Indians, Children, Education, Elementary
Tribe
Navajo;
Creator
America West Center, Univ. of Utah;
Description
This We Shall Remain: Utah Indian Elementary Curriculum guide pertains to the Navajo Indians. This lesson describes the symbolism and meaning behind certain colors in Navajo culture;
Publisher
Digitized by: J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah;
Date.original
2009;
Type
Text;
Format
applicaton/pdf;
File name
4thNavajo.pdf
Language
eng;
Rights
This material may be protected by copyright. Permission may be required for use in any form. For further information please contact the American West Center, University of Utah: 801-581-7611;
THE NAVAJOS
W E S H A L L R E M A I N : U TA H I N D I A N C U R R I C U L U M G U I D E
41
TEACHER BACKGROUND
In many cultures, colors serve as symbols. The Navajos use colors artistically, but they also use them
to symbolize important elements in the Navajo belief system. While many colors have significance,
four in particular—black, white, blue, and yellow—are tied to the Navajo view of the world. These
colors are associated with the four directions, certain times of day, the four mountains that serve as
markers of the Navajo homeland, important spiritual beings and people, and many other aspects of
Navajo culture and tradition. They appear throughout Navajo stories, and Navajo artists use them in
sand paintings, weavings, and other forms of art.
HOW THE MEANINGS OF COLORS TRANSMIT NAVAJO CULTURE
Objecti ve
Students will be able to identify the four colors important to the Navajos and understand how these
colors represent different elements of Navajo culture. They will also be able to understand how values
and beliefs associated with color help transmit culture from one generation to the next.
Student Materials
Photo of Navajo Rug
Navajo Coloring Page
Photos of Navajo weavings, sand paintings, and
other materials at www.UtahIndians.org
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED
American flag (or photo) for lesson
introduction
Time Frame - VERSATILE
Two standard class periods with homework
One block period with homework
Three standard class periods
Teacher Materials
At a Glance: Color in Navajo Life and Beliefs
Navajo Symbolic Associations Chart
We Shall Remain: The Navajo (chapter 1, 0:30-2:35)
Procedure
Before starting the lesson, briefly remind the students what a symbol is, and explain that color works
as a symbol in many cultures. Show them the American flag as an example. Explain that in the Ameri-can
flag, the white stars symbolize each of the states and the blue square represents “union,” or the
way in which the individual states are tied together into one nation. Ask them to think about what
colors mean in their cultures. (You could give suggestions, such as colors associated with holidays,
weddings, funerals, signs, etc.)
