The Institute for Diné Culture, Philosophy, and Government, LLC., is an organization committed to applying the concepts and philosophies of our Diné people. In the capacities of education, government, and health care and wellness, Diné Institute strives to apply the concepts of Fundamental Law to our Diné people, but also to our Indigenous people. Our cultural research and resources has allowed us to coordinate with various entities in education, government, social sciences, physical sciences, medical, and environmental based work. Our services extend to the everyday interactions in daily living. Much of our work is based on curriculum development with schools across differing tribal nations. We also assist in tribal governmental based development in consultation for cultural input. But are also flexible to apply our knowledge base and resources to your needs.
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About Diné Institute
15th Annual Yikáii Yizhchį́ - 2021
We are excited to announce a new video streaming platform that we have been developing. Through Uscreen, we are able to provide you with this year’s 15th Annual Yikáii Yizhchį́. Click on the button below to be brought to the video streaming service.
To begin viewing this year’s Yikáii Yizhchį́ presentation, click on the button below to head to our Uscreen catalog page to see all of our current videos. Create an account. Input your payment information. And you can begin viewing all eight videos.
On our Uscreen website, you can purchase all eight (8) videos for $300. Or you can purchase individual videos for $100 each, as well.
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15th Annual Yikáii Yizhchį́ Video Topics
Wilson Aronilth Jr.
Episode 1 – Evil Monsters and Naałniih (Virus) in Ni’haltsoh (Yellow World) and Ni’halgai (White World)
Learn how evil monsters/viruses (jealousy, stinginess, grief, loneliness, lying) began in Ni’haltsoi (Yellow World) by those who abused the Natural Law. A flood destroyed everything. In Ni’halgai (White World): Naałniih came into existence because people made their own laws. Learn the different ways Naałniih tried to destroy our spiritual way of life (Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón) and happiness. Question: Are these viruses with our generation today? Learn how the birth of Changing Woman and her twin sons came into existence to destroy all modern day monsters by using their secret weapon: lightning. Observe the ways the Twin Warriors brought back Navajo critical thinking and leadership.
Episode 2 – Evil Monsters and Naałniih (Virus) in Our Everyday Lives
Learn how evil monsters/viruses tried to destroy our Diné way of the educational system and our true principles to our Diné way of life by abusing it. Affected our Natural Laws in leadership. Understand how the primary principle of Natural Law is family leadership, however, Navajo people’s lifestyle started to change after the signing of the Treaty of 1868. Learn why the Navajo people had to accept Western education and philosophy. Loss of language even though this is what makes Diné people unique. Learn how Diné social laws, common Diné laws, Diné physical laws, Diné philosophies/rules, Diné moral laws, were being controlled by evil monsters. Explanation as to why building a hogan is vital. Question: How do we use our common/customary Diné laws to benefit our educational system? Confusion, negative thinking and laziness occurs. People lose their self-determination. K’é (Kinship) was abused. A miracle happened: The birth of Yoołgai Asdzą́ą́ (White Shell Woman). Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehí (Changing Woman) gave birth to twins: born to restore holistic healing, teachings, and reconnect back to the Natural Law.
Episode 3 – Evil Monsters/Naałniih (Virus) Disintegrating Our Diné Fundamental Values
Learn how evil monsters/viruses tried to destroy our Diné way of traditional roles and responsibilities by abusing our Diné values (spiritual/social). For example, do not go to Anasazi Ruins or you will develop health complications. Evil monsters tried to control the Diné way of beliefs. There was a loss of meaning to the Diné language. Navajo Community College was built with goals to protect and foster Navajo language and culture. Learn how abusing the Diné way of leadership changed the dynamics of K’é and kinship. K’é was lost. Anxiety, disappointment, anger, and frustration followed. Learn how evil monsters tried to control our six sacred mountains, made us confused about our sacred male/female rivers, tried to control our sacred four seasons, tried to control our sacred parts of the day (dawn, evening, night), tried to control our sacred Diné months, tried to destroy our sacred land and water, tried to put negative evil power into air, water, sunlight, and Nahasdzáán (Earth). The evil monsters tried to put negative power into our faith, prayer, and song, also, trying to control our Diné educational system in a negative way. Holy People saw all of the evilness going on and met but they were not knowledgeable to help. The birth of Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehí (Changing Woman) and the birth of twins began restoration.
Episode 4 – Tools and Resources to Combat the Evil Monsters and Naałniih (Virus)
Learn how the evil monsters/viruses almost destroyed our people in Ni’halgai (White World). Explanation of how different types of viruses tried to control Diné traditional responsibility, relating to Diné moral laws (judgment in right and wrong). Explanation of how evil monsters controlled the Diné judgment-good and bad-created confusion and hate was formed. For example, we began to criticize each other’s beliefs. Diné honesty and dishonesty were abused by the evil monsters. Stealing and alcoholism was created. Evil monsters started to control the meaning of good judgment and bad values. (Began to lose the meaning of their trust, love, and understanding). Observation of bringing bad values into the ceremonial setting. Explanation of how the Diné people lost the value of reasoning. Judgments in good behavior and bad behavior were abused by the evil monsters (laziness, prejudice, ignorance, anxiety, suicidal thoughts were produced). Diné judgment in good character and bad character was almost controlled by the evil monsters. (Developed bad social image). Our Diné beliefs were abused. Significance of the month of February (meant to acknowledge all mothers). Birth of Changing Woman in the form of a light. Origin of the cradleboard. To understand the importance of the Diné language (identified by the four sacred minerals). Understanding our sacred footprint.
Avery Denny
Episode 1 – Naałniih in Diné History
Understand the different types and characteristics of Naałniih, how it destroyed Diné life, how it affected the people, how the Holy People destroyed Naałniih and how the Holy People healed the people. Naałniih today: COVID-19. Using Navajo Holistic Healing versus modern medicine and an analysis of both.
Episode 2 – The Origin of the Diné Traditional Healing Chantways
Understand the meaning and structure of healing (Nahaghá): treatment process, and the main function (bee hatáál go). Understand the structure and layout of different healing chantways (hatáál). Understand the process of properly burying a loved one versus today’s western idea of burial. Familiarize yourself with The Emergence (Hajiinéí). It was during this period, the Plant People were created. Learn about the four different worlds: Black World (Ni’hodiłhił), Blue World (Ni’hodootł’izh), Yellow World (Ni’haltso) and the White World (Ni’halgai). Learn how First Man and First Woman separated (Separation of Gender) in the Yellow World and how it created unbalance in the supernatural world, sickness, and anger. Learn the four different techniques of spiritual diagnosis. Finally, understand how we are all going to rely on ceremonial ways for true healing.
Episode 3 – Origin of the Tachééh, Shoe Game, and Kinaaldá
Understand the meaning and different functions of a Tachééh (sweat ceremony). It was during a time, the male and female were in separate tachééh’s and this taught them how to communicate effectively. Learn about the various characteristics of the female and male and how it embodies the whole universe. Learn about the definition of Natural Law. Understand “Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí” and how it can help those who suffer from mental disorder conditions and how it can heal you. Learn how to address your family, using correct familial Diné names through K’é. Learn the origin and characteristics of the traditional Diné Shoe Game. Understand how the first human being found was a female and the meaning of her puberty ceremony, Kinaaldá.
Episode 4 – Changing Woman, Twin Warriors Journey to their Father the Sun, Treatment after COVID-19
Learn how Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehí (Changing Woman) and Jóhonaa’éí (Sun Bearer) met and Changing Woman gives birth to twin boys. Male Puberty Ceremony for boys and adult males are present to teach. Learn the different tools males use during puberty ceremony to make themselves strong. The twins start to question who their father is. Eventually, they find their father, Jóhonaa’éí. They find weapons to destroy the Big, Giant Monster. Upon their adventure, both find more evil in the world in the form of laziness, hunger but the twins spare their lives. Learn how living a long and healthy life to old age is essential. Learn about Anaa’jí (The Enemy Way) and how it is for those who suffer from PTSD. The Story of the “Big Snake Man.” Understand the true meaning of sovereignty: knowing the Diné language. Treatment after COVID-19: Herbal Medicine and Navajo Traditional Treatment.
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TO STAND FOR
Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’éh Hózhóón
Vision
To foresee the implementation and practice of Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’éh Hózhóón within our Diné society.
Mission
Utilize the principles and ethics of Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’éh Hózhóón to restructuring and redefining the overall educational, instructional, and organizational programs to meet the needs of our Diné and indigenous students.
Principles
We utilize the traditional Diné concepts of:
- Nitsáhákees
- Nahat’á
- Iiná
- Siihasin
to advance the traditional teachings and concepts that has sustained our Diné people for generations.
About Us
As Institute for Diné Culture, Philosophy, and Government, we strive to enhance and equip our Diné and indigenous people with the traditional values, concepts, and methodologies that have carried our people for these many years.
Founded in 2003, Diné Institute has worked with various entities by providing technical assistance and professional development to State Departments of Education, school districts, local educational agencies, as well as tribal governments.
Much of the work we have done includes the hosting of several culture conferences throughout the year, holding a week-long culture summer camp, and providing consultation services to educational, governmental, health-related, and social service entities.
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WE PROVIDE A CURRICULUM THAT
Engages and Promotes Personal Achievement & Empowerment
Services
Diné Institute recognizes that it must provide basic services to allow all members of our community to function adequately in their respective roles. Within this context, we intend to apply ourselves and our resources to the various fields and disciplines within our Diné and indigenous communities.
Instead of relying upon non-Diné and non-indigenous forms of education, government, health, etc., we aspire to utilize our traditional Diné concepts, teachings, and methodologies, and apply them to these various fields of disciplines. Whether the fields are educational, governmental, social services, health-related, legal, judicial, or administrative, we aim to ensure that our partners and clientele are equipped with the traditional and cultural tools to resolve, progress, and advance their fields of discipline.
Our services extend to avenues as:
- Workshops
- Seminars
- In-Service Trainings
- Cultural Events
- Navajo Language & Classes
- Native & Traditional Counseling
- Research in Education
- Investigations for under-developed schools
Much of our service specialization is education based. What we pursue is to restructure and refine the overall educational, instructional, and organizational programs to meet the needs our Diné and indigenous students, and to change how schools define and perceive these students. In addition to our restructuring endeavors, we also provide technical assistance and professional development to state departments of education, school districts, and local educational agencies.
Our educational services revolve around school improvement, curriculum mapping, and technical assistance.
School Improvement
School improvement evaluates current instructional and organization programs within individual school organizations and recommends methods in achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
Curriculum Mapping
Curriculum mapping evaluates current programs within schools and gives recommendations to develop, restructure, realign, and articulate curriculum to mandated state and federal regulations, based on the No Child Left Behind Act. The Cornstalk Philosophy is also utilized to target student needs in their mental, emotional, social, and physical development areas.
Technical Assistance
The Institute staff are available for long term school-wide evaluation of instructional and organizational effectiveness of individual schools, whether they be public, private or BIE. Our staff has expertise in implementing a schoolwide model in making determinations of school limitations and strengths, thus making recommendations for realistic Action Plans that can be reviewed on a consistent basis throughout the school year. Our staff uses the following steps in providing this technical assistance:
- Developing the Profile: outlines a process analyzing information in a variety of critical areas that leads to a comprehensive profile of students and communities served by the school.
- Defining Beliefs and Mission: assists schools in articulating their beliefs and mission to help guide a shared vision for a common purpose and direction for the school.
- Defining Desired Results for Student Learning: guides in the identification of goals and expectations for student learning aligned with the school’s beliefs and mission.
- Analyzing Instructional and Organizational effectiveness: helps schools analyze the effectiveness/quality of their instructional and organizational practices & determine alignment of these conditions with the schools’ beliefs, mission and goals for student learning.
- Developing the Profile: provides a process for determining the target area goals for school improvement, the design of data-driven and research-based school improvement initiatives to achieve the goals, estimate the timelines and resources required for implementing the strategies, Implementing the Plan
- Documenting Results: helps schools monitor the implementation of the school improvement plan, collect evidence of the achievement of the target goals for improvement and sustain the commitment to continuous improvement.
Other Areas of Technical assistance, all based on the traditional Navajo Philosophy:
- Education of leaders in the areas of business, government, and leadership, using Diné Philosophy
- Effective administration of Head Start programs and staff development
- Early Childhood Education
- Culture – Based Curriculum Development
- Education of Gifted and Talented indigenous people
- Mental Health issues
- Substance abuse, prevention, including alcohol, inhalants, and other drugs
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PROVIDING IN-DEPTH
Cultural Conferences & Workshops
Conferences & Workshops
In addition to providing services, we also host conferences of various topics and themes revolving around our traditional Diné stories.
A staple conference that we host annually, Yikáii Yizhchį́ explains the story and Significance of Yoołgaii Asdzą́ą́ (White Shell Woman) and her development into Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehí (Changing Woman). For over a decade, this conference explores the laws and rules that were redefined and reimplemented through Yikáii Yizhchį́ and the Twin Warriors within our Diné culture.
While our culture conferences usually revolve around stories about The Four Worlds, Yikáii Yizhchį́, The Twin Warriors, and Mą’ii Jooldloshí, this conference concentrates on our Diné Language. The conference delves into the creation and reasoning of our four sacred Diné languages of Yoołgaii Saad, Dootł’izhii Saad, Diichiłí Saad, and Bááshzhinii Saad, in how to apply it to research, curriculum development, and other avenues of usage.
A conference that we occasionally host that explains what happened after all the Naayéé’ (Monsters) were destroyed by the Twin Warriors of Naayéé’ Neizghání (Monster Slayer) and Tó Bájíshchíní (Born for Water). From here, Diné Fundamental Law was reimplemented and reconstituted by the Twin Warriors and this conference centers on these developments.
This conference provides a perspective and elaboration of our traditional Diné ceremonies. While many of our conferences are story based, this conference focuses on the origins, purposes, usage, context, protocol, and etiquette of Diné ceremonies. The conference explains ceremonies ranging from Anaa’jí (Enemy Way) ceremonies to Iinaají (Lifeway) ceremonies and Wóláchii’jí (Red Ant Way) ceremonies.
An occasional conference we host that serves as the second part to Yikáii Yizhchį́. This conference continues the story of the Twin Warriors of Naayéé’ Neizghání (Monster Slayer) and Tó Bájíshchíní (Born for Water) in their journey to their father, Jó honaaéí (The Sun). Here, the trials and tribulations the Twins had to endure sets the stage for Naayéé’ K’ehgo Na’nitin (Monster/Warrior Teachings) and the eventual eradication of the Naayéé’ (Monsters/Evil) from the land.
A conference that focuses on Diné Fundamental Law regarding the natural processes of the environment, Diyin Dine’é rules and teachings, clanship and family values, and everyday practices. This conference focuses on the foundations of Diné culture, philosophy, concepts, and laws.
A more niche conference we organized that discussed parental guidance systems that could be utilized by new parents or current parents. Many of these concepts discussed derived from Diné culture and knowledge and delves into the teachings and disciplines of a home, sacredness of a child’s home, and the do’s and don’ts of being a parent.
Another niche conference we offered that discussed the issues affecting youth today and some steps that could be taken to address said issues. Traditional Native Parenting concepts, part of another conference we offer, are discussed, along with Native Disciplining, Traditional Counseling, Bullying, and Traditional Character Education Curriculum.
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All New Video Streaming Service Platform
Provided by Uscreen
Check out our new video streaming platform on Uscreen to watch all our future Diné Institute created content.
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OUR RECOMMENDED LODGING VENUES
Fit to accompany your stay for our conference
Recommended Hotel & Lodging Accommodations
The Region Inn La Quinta Inn
601 E. Broadway, Farmington, NM 87401
(888) 325-1191
La Quinta Inn
675 E. Broadway
Farmington, NM 87401
(505) 327-4706
Interested In Learning More About Places To Stay In The Area?
THROUGHOUT THE FOUR SEASONS
Stay posted on all the latest events and conferences
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GET IN TOUCH
We're here to serve, contact us with any questions or ideas
Rock Point, Arizona
dineinstitute12@gmail.com
(505) 801-2583
Let's Talk!
Diné Institute would love to hear your thoughts, questions or even provide you with more knowledge sharing collaborations to accommodate your interests. Call or complete the form below and submit. We’ll be sure to respond promptly.
Ahéhee