Diné Nihi Kéyah Project
A project of Indian Country Grassroots Support
Mapping Navajo Nation land history, law and custom
In order to be self-sufficient, there must be informed engagement
This project gathers information in order to map laws and trace them to their origins. The goal is for Navajo Nation communities to have a whole foundation on which to envision the wellbeing of future generations through practicable reform.
The site was last revised on June 30, 2026.
In April, 2026, the Diné Nihi Keyah Project team began collecting stories of mostly young parents across the Navajo Nation, reflecting their family experiences, challenges, and wishes for their families and communities on this reservation, our ancestral homeland.
For individual stories as they are posted, please click on each picture below. Thank you very much for reading all our stories.
Survival, Addiction, and Finding Healing Through Culture
Shiprock Chapter, NM
Sweat lodges, prayer, elders, singing, dancing, beadwork, and drum-making all help reconnect people to who they are. Addiction makes people lose their identity. Culture helps restore that.
Raised by Strong Women
Toadlena/Two Grey Hills Chapter
I grew up in a small community called Sand Springs in Red Valley, where my grandparents had their homestead. much of my childhood was spent being raised by my aunts. The women in my family shaped who I am today.
Just Trying to Build a Home
Tsayatoh, NM
My wife and I applied for our homesite in Black Hat. At first, we thought it would be a simple process. Instead, it became one of the most stressful experiences our family has gone through. At chapter meetings, I heard people say they had already been waiting five to eight years.
Community Briefing - ONGD Proposed Constitution
Duties of a Government Lawyer
Stalled in Transition: The "638 Contract" Navajo Nation Government
Blessing to open the project
Let there be beauty from here my mother earth, my blue heaven, the sun. Let there be beauty extended from all the holy ones. From here this morning we will be speaking to one another. Hear the planning we speak on, for the things we need. For this reason we are doing this, take heed to them. Please my mother earth, blue heaven, and holy ones. Each and every one of us we have our homes, acknowledge them. We are your children. From here, according to what we are capable of, we talk about planning and thinking with relationships as we speak, acknowledging each other with empathy, with love. Recognize us. Make it possible for us to walk on a straight corn pollen road. These things we plea for. We are thankful for our lives. We are certain, with our thinking and planning, good will materialize in the future, even if small. This way I say my prayer from all directions. Let there be beauty from the east, from the south, from the west, from the north and from the center of the earth and from everywhere there is holiness. Beauty exists again, beauty exists again, beauty exists again, beauty exists again.