Culture Nights with Dr. Chee Bridge Generations Through Navajo Teachings

Beclabito Day School in Beclabito, New Mexico, hosted a cultural night as part of a series of events bridging generational gaps and reconnecting families with their cultural roots. Students, families, teachers and elders learned new ways to strengthen their Navajo identity, education, and community ties.

Navajo language and culture educator Joseph Chee, Ed.D., led the event, integrating Diné language and culture value training into his presentations. Culture Night included storytelling, singing and interactive games that explored Navajo tradition while helping participants navigate modern challenges. 

Culture Nights with Dr. Chee started in January and continued through May, each one focused on “Redeveloping a Positive Mindset with Navajo Traditional Culture Values and Songs.” 

“Our traditional Diné songs are positive affirmations helping children see into their future and establish goal setting,” Chee said. 

One of Culture Night’s highlights was “pair sharing,” an activity where elders and youth partner to discuss traditional values and life experiences. The conversations encouraged intergenerational storytelling and provided opportunities for family members to deepen their connections. 

“Culture Nights show our children how to maintain the Diné culture,” Chee said. “They also show parents how to continue cultural nights at home.” 

Joseph Chee believes incorporating cultural teachings, such as the meanings of the four sacred mountains, the four directions and blessing songs in Diné Bizaad, into family activities will help children build stronger identities and develop a sense of belonging both in and outside the classroom. 

“The information provided has deep meaning for everyone who attends because of the use of Navajo traditional songs and core values,” Chee said. 

More interactive learning opportunities included spaces to create art and custom-designed board games created by parents and teachers. Game pieces created in Diné language, colorful spinners and culturally relevant themes helped reinforce vocabulary and traditional knowledge. 

Chee draws from ancestral teachings to guide each lesson and hopes the Culture Nights’ impact will be long-lasting as Navajo students pass them down through generations.