People of the Legends
Indigenous People of North America - Navajo
Life at Home - Going to Work
From 1868 when the Navajo returned to their lands after being forced to live at Bosque Redondo, they built up herds of sheep, goats and cattle.
They traded the wool and hides and also sold woven rugs and blankets, and pieces made from silver.
But Navajo Nation land is harsh, with hot summers, cold desert winters and little rain.
By the 1930s it took 2.59 square kilometers (1 square mile) to support 5 people.
The animals ate everything, soil became eroded (dry and blown away) and very little would grow. Many Navajo farmers had to leave the land and herds were destroyed.
Then oil and gas was found and the Navajo council used money from these resources to encourage new businesses and industries.
The people built hospitals, airports, a museum and a zoo – and colleges and schools to encourage education.
Today many Navajo work as doctors, teachers, scientists and other professionals – both within the Navajo Nation and in other US cities and states. Young people can go to college or university if they wish and work in many different industries.
Or they can learn the traditional crafts and become artists or medicine people. In more than 60% of Navajo families at least one person is a professional artist or craftsperson.
There are some places within Navajo land were jobs are still hard to find and medical and other services are not available locally. The Federal government gives money for different types of welfare and support programs and community development.
Many people have to work in towns and cities outside the Navajo Nation. They often stay there from Monday to Friday and come home on the weekends to enjoy activities with family and friends.
By keeping their culture alive they know who they are as people and their beliefs help them to live in two worlds.
