themes were present in the data set. Coherence between the three data sets will be commented on at the end of each sub-section. This chapter strives to provide a look into the nuanced findings surrounding what it means to be Indigenous in the US during the global pandemic in relation to territorial space and individual space.
These themes were brought together to show how settler colonialism is inherently connected by the concept of land acquisition and the importance of land in connection to Native identity. These concepts were especially important during the pandemic to frame how it was experienced within the Navajo community. It also lays a backdrop for the individual and collective social reality of injustices experienced in a settler colonial nation. How has media shaped our conversations? What influence, power, or role, if any, did consuming the news have on society?
5.a Identity
During the thematic analysis of the three data sets, the most prevalent theme interwoven throughout the data was identity. Identity is complex and multifaceted, imbedded in personal, relational, and larger social structures (Davis, Loves, & Fares, 2019). Social Identity Theory is based on how people collectively organize meanings, enact beliefs, and respond to relevant feedback (ibid). In this section, relational identity is presented first, followed by social and structural identity.
5.a.1 Community and Cultural Identity Media Analysis
The Navajo community and cultural identity is largely rooted in ‘K’é’, which is the importance of kinship, clans, or family (Curtis, 2020, December 20). The need to protect and provide for your family and larger community is taught to young children through tradition, language, and knowledge. Information is passed down from elders in the community (ibid). The strong role that elders play, their importance, and the admiration the community feels for tribal elders was a frequent topic mentioned in media articles published in local and regional agencies, as well as coverage in the New York Times. A quote from the Arizona Republic highlights community identity, “They [tribal elders] are the keepers of our knowledge, our tradition and our language, and we look to them to transmit their wisdom and pass forward our identity as Native people through educating the younger generations,” (Ethel Branch as quoted in Curtis, 2020, December 20). Given the role the elders play within the Navajo community, identity is passed on their knowledge, tradition, and language. COVID-19 became a nightmare for the familial based culture, as elders faired much worse if they became infected (Walker, 2020, September 29). The entire
38 community and cultural identity were jeopardized as older tribal members died, as they are the keepers of knowledge (ibid.).
Media coverage on community and local non-profits in Navajo Nation, along with other tribes, was prevalent. The spirit of taking care of one’s close family and outlying family during the time of crisis showed through the creation of multiple organizations putting together food, protective supplies, and information (Curtis, 2020, December 20). Distribution of these goods was complex on the vast
reservation, and multiple articles highlighted how these newly organized groups were reaching residents in rural areas (ibid.).
Another topic frequently referenced in the media outlets reviewed was the spiritual importance of Navajo land. Spirituality in the Navajo community is tied to the four mountains, which are four sacred mountains in the four directions. Most of the reservation falls within these mountains, as discussed in the contextual chapter. The importance of land and culture is rooted in the community, which is also rooted in the identity (Thacker, 2021, March 11). There was an emphasis put on providing value to the tribe and land. Tribal leaders also expressed this sentiment when interviewed – bringing value back to the reservation if you chose to leave (Interview 9, personal communication, March 16, 2021). Identity is intertwined with physical closeness to the community and land. COVID-19 highlighted the importance of this aspect to Navajos living on and off the reservation (ibid.).
Research showed that Navajo identity included a new aspect in 2020. The global health pandemic was not the only thing frequently making headlines when searching for articles about Navajo Nation. Voting, US voting rights, and Indigenous political movements were the second most covered topics in the media analysis. With Navajo people making up a significant portion of Arizona’s eligible voters, national news outlets thoroughly covered the US elections in relation to Native communities. Fourteen of the 57 news articles focused on tribal communities and voting matters pertaining to the US government. Most of these articles connected being Native with identifying as a democrat (Becenti, 2020, November 7). There was immense pride conveyed over the Navajo voter turnout, and the results of the US presidential election with Arizona voting for the Biden-Harris administration (ibid.). The nomination, and now appointment, of Deb Haaland for Secretary of Interior was frequently discussed. She is one of the first two Native women elected to US congress, and the first Native person to hold the office of Secretary of Interior (Krieg, 2020, December 17). The importance of Native representation in the US federal
government, specifically in a position overseeing public lands, resonates with Native identity. In an article published by CNN, “We see our moms, our aunties and ourselves in Deb,” (Julian Brave as quoted in Krieg, 2020, December 17).
Negative identity features also appeared to be a common thread through the media publications. The stand-out topic was the idea of cultural abandonment, and how COVID-19 had exposed this concept (Krisst, 2021, January 14). With more time at home, Navajo people were first faced with the loss of elders, connected with the loss of cultural knowledge, language, and traditions. The fear of losing this knowledge, as well as this part of their identity, came to a head during the pandemic (ibid.). A
preservation of community, culture, and identity became extremely important. A quote from a New
39 York Times article demonstrates this, “Tribal nations and volunteer groups are now trying to protect their elders as a mission of cultural survival,” (Healy, 2021, January 19). With this sentiment, there was also a notion of imbalance between the Native way of life and how COVID-19 was hindering their social and communal identity.
Lastly, the negative theme of racism and blame placing was relevant in news articles, but not central.
Navajo people were being blamed for the spread of coronavirus in border towns along the reservation (Lee, 2020, May 8). The belief that Natives were all infected with the virus and spreading it to border towns led to racism (ibid.). This is an unfortunate reality that piles on to the complex history of Native identity and the relationship with the surrounding communities. Racism was not a topic included in the interview questions due to the sensitive nature. However, three interview participants did organically bring it up as part of their lived experience being Navajo. The participants that felt comfortable discussing this topic were highly educated (by US standards) and held political office.
Interview Analysis
Five of the ten interview participants are Native Americans. Three of those five are living and working on the reservation, while the other two reside off the reservation in Arizona. During these interviews, a more holistic view of the Navajo culture and interconnectedness was achieved when compared to the media research. In-depth conversations were had about returning to and connecting to the land, the humor that is used between Navajo people to show closeness, multi-generational living, how they speak and address different tribal members, and the most popular methods of communication via social media (Interview 1, personal communication, January 23, 2021). Emphasis on the importance of being counted on the census, participating in both US and tribal elections, and excitement of Native representation in the federal government were also popular topics of discussion surrounding identity within the Navajo community (ibid.).
The willingness and urgency to protect and care for the Navajo community was clear. All participants knew about organizations and non-profits distributing supplies and food, where to find information in both English and Navajo, and the importance of cultural messaging pertaining to COVID-19. The level of trust within the community was apparent. One interviewee spoke of the importance of the four
directions, setting their goals and intentions for the day by saying their prayers towards the east. This cultural practice was incorporated and used in health integration and goals setting (Interview 6, personal communication, February 27, 2021).
Social Media (Facebook) Analysis
Community and cultural identity were expressed through comments on a public Facebook video posted by ‘Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer’ about a weekend vaccination event held at Tsehootsooi Medical Center on January 31, 2021. As discussed in the methodology
chapter, no posters will be identified. Comments emphasizing culture include, “We are protected by our mountains…”, as well as comments written in the traditional Navajo language, “Ahéhee' shi Naat'áanii [Thank you my leader],” (January 31, 2021). Community and extended kinship was highlighted,
“Awesome job to the TMC employees helping with our community and extended communities!”
40 (January 31, 2021). Finally, multiple comments were reminders to abide by the health restrictions put in place, like mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing to protect the community and elders.
Final Thoughts
Conclusively, local and regional news agency coverage of identity was aligned with both personal and social media accounts. Nationally, the New York Times articles attributed a higher word count, as well as more in-depth articles that captured similar sentiments as well. Differences include the media focusing more on cultural abandonment, where the interviews focused more on the return to the culture. The media’s focus on the US elections while hardly reporting on tribal elections was also different, as interview participants spoke frequently about the importance of tribal government and how it is experienced in the community. Individual interviews brought a personal account and a sense of lightheartedness to the topic, more so than the media findings. The influence of settler colonialism on Indigenous culture and community is shown through the struggles of cultural abandonment and identity covered in media and during interviews. Navajo land is fundamental to identity and culture, as land is viewed as education, history, and memory (Rowe & Tuck, 2017). Settler colonialism is striving to take territory as personal property, therefore taking away individual and social identity.
5.a.2 Pride