Dah Díníilghaazh: An Imprint on the Navajo Way of Life 

by Keanu Simpson

The Treaty of 1868 was signed 157 years ago by our great Navajo leaders. During that era, the Navajo people endured many hardships. Exposure to new food was something that the Navajo people had to face, as it was embedded in the treaty. In fact, the United States Government rationed out flour, salt, sugar, lard, powdered milk, coffee beans, and other foreign products to the Navajo people while they were in captivity and thereafter. In some stories, our Navajo people didn’t know how to use their newly acquired food commodities, with some even trying these foods raw without any preparation. Many Navajo people suffered from food born illnesses after consuming ill-prepared or unprepared food products. Eventually, Navajos learned and developed ways to prepare different foods with the ingredients they were given. Some learned from their own creations, while others learned from non-Navajos like Hispanics and other groups that bordered Navajo lands or traded with Navajos. Thus, new foods were introduced to the Navajo diet, but frybread, or as our Navajo elders call it “dah díníilghaazh,” has become a familiar favorite among many.

Leading The Way Vol. 23 No. 6