I wanted to share a strange experience from my childhood and see if any other Navajo people have heard of something similar or might have an explanation.

This happened sometime in the 2000s when I was around 13. I was living on the Navajo Nation in a secluded community with my cousin. Our community used to be an old boarding school, but by that time, it had been completely abandoned. Most of the small community had become a ghost town, with only a few residents still living there. We were among the last people moving out of the area. My grandma worked evenings until around midnight as a caregiver for people living across the street. We often went back and forth between the houses for dinner and other things, and she would regularly walk over to check on us and make sure we were okay.

One summer night, around 11 p.m., my cousin and I were trying to sleep when I suddenly heard footsteps walking in circles directly above me, like someone was walking on our roof.

Then I started hearing what sounded like two older people having an ordinary conversation in Navajo. I recognized the language from its dialect and throat sounds, but I couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying.

Our house was small, with an old wooden roof, probably built sometime in the 1960s or 1970s. There were barely any neighbors nearby, and the nearest other residents were probably a 20-minute walk away.

I got scared and tried to ignore the sounds, but the footsteps were so loud that I eventually went outside to look. There was nobody around except two horses hanging around the house. When I went back inside, the footsteps and voices had stopped.

I never told anyone about this because I was 13 and didn’t want people thinking I was crazy. Looking back, I guess I’m only now realizing how strange and unexplained that moment in my life really was. I’ve always remembered that night, but I’ve never been able to explain what I heard.

I’m not claiming it was anything supernatural. I’m genuinely curious whether any other Navajos have experienced something similar, heard stories like this growing up, or might have a traditional or ordinary explanation.

Has anyone ever experienced something like this? I’m open to different perspectives and would appreciate any insight.

Maybe someone finds family members! I have scanned these photos. Below I will share each description!

1. Clarice Aitson, Kiowa-Navajo. Scanned from the book Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians; 1975
2. Pattie Aitson, sister of Clarice Aitson She is a Kiowa-Navajo Native. Scanned from the book Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians; 1975
3. Anna Mae Bernallie (with the umbrella) and Helen Wauneka are both Navajos. Scanned from the book Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians; 1975
4. Ariene Jane Yazzie, Navajo. Scanned from the book Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians; 1975
5. Navajo women left to right; Rita Dedman of Chinle, Loranda Sales, a student at Phoenix Central High, and Karilyn Lujan of Kayenta. Scanned from the magazine Arizona Highways; May 1975
6. Navajo sisters. Monument Valley, 1954. The names of the girls on the right are mentioned; Rosie and Ruth. Photo was taken by Ray Manley. Scanned from the magazine Arizona Highways; July 1955
7. Sally Bancroft wears a Navajo blanket dress with a concha belt. Scanned from the magazine Arizona Highways; May 1975
8. Happy and Willie Cly, two Navajos from Monument Valley. Scanned from the book Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians; 1975

From David Bowie to Jim Morrison to Axl Rose to Scott Weiland to Snoop Dogg to Angine de Poitrine to the Chicken That Crossed The Road… they all were inspired by the Rez 🩵❤️

My sister and I grew up going back-and-forth between my mom’s house and dad’s house on the Rez, we’re going to the Gourd Dance Powwow in Phoenix, Arizona today, both trying to reconnect over the last couple years. My sister asked a question about our clans and I don’t know much about them.

My mom is white, and my dad tells me that his mother’s clans were Táchii’nii (Red into the running water) and Hashkʼaa Hadzohí (Yucca fruit strung out on a line). My father’s father was also white.

I don’t know much about these clans, can anyone fill me in? How would I introduce myself?

I want to know, since because of the general oppression of Native American culture by the United States government in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with spiritual beliefs, when I see rituals or stories about spirits being told do the Navajo believe it like Christians and Muslims believe in God or is it more symbolic or to help keep their culture alive? I’m really sorry if this sounds confusing

Shíma went on the next journey a few years ago. Her blood sausage was the last of the food she made. It sat in the freezer for about a year before we ate it. Since then I've been trying to recreate her recipe. Still not quite there, close, but I don't think anything I make will be the same as her's. I should've paid more attention but I'm happy being close.

Ambulances off the Navajo Nation are not allowed to enter the reservation without an escort from law enforcement. A person can be bleeding to death near the border, but the ambulance and the medical personnel cannot cross the border without an escort. Helicopters transporting patients also need clearance to enter the Navajo Nation. 🤧

Hi everyone! I'm an English student at California State University, Dominguez Hills, taking a course on language documentation and revitalization. For my final project, I'm looking for someone who speaks an Indigenous, endangered, or less-commonly-studied language and would be open to a short, friendly interview (about 30–45 minutes, over Zoom or in person in the LA area).

I'd ask about things like where your language is spoken, how you learned it, when and with whom you use it, and a few words or phrases if you're comfortable sharing.

A few things to know:
• It's completely voluntary, and you can skip any question or stop at any time.
• I'll only record if you give permission, and you can stay anonymous.
• It's for a class project, not for publication.
• I'm happy to send you a copy of anything I write.

If you're interested, or you know someone who might be, please send me a DM. Thank you so much!

I wonder...would parents be interested in learning Navajo language alongside their children? I'm interested in any feedback, so please chime in. Thanks!

From Arizona, pretty bored so im looking for someone to chat with on here.

URL: https://navajo-safe-water-2-navajosafewater.hub.arcgis.com/pages/find-safe-water?fbclid=IwT01FWAUdh5BwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtmMh5RQwXmn6yVALDGDIqN1xNt_ejm2jtRIKK-weNu1XPYRtoZHSQrozYW6_aem_VIr0A7ymAluIWaebb_chVA

This map was created by Jani Ingram, NAU professor, and shows where you can find safe drinking water on Navajo land.

There is also a news story about it but there is a paywall: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/tribes/2026/09/20/nau-professor-creates-map-showing-safe-drinking-water-on-navajo-nation/91785426007/

A friend of mine lost her mom tragically and unexpectedly last week. Her mom's funeral is in a week.

Myself and 2 other friends will be attending. We're assuming that flowers and a condolences card are appropriate for the situation. We're wondering if there's anything more thoughtful that we could bring or do?

My perspective at least is that while we want to be thoughtful in what we do, we don't want to overstep or make things awkward/uncomfortable. So if flowers and a card would be our best bet, that's what we will do.

Thank you for any help/advice/guidance that you are able to provide.

Hello there,

I've been interested in learning Diné bizaad for some time now. I've been trying to reach out to 'Navajo Language Renaissance' via email and phone call for almost three months now, but, each attempt has gone unanswered. Mainly emails/messages voicing my interest in paying for the subscription wondering how to proceed. I was wondering if anyone here knew how long one could expect to wait? There is a thread on this subject from two years ago speaking on their now active subscription, so I hope it wouldn't be wrong of me assume to the Flagstaff office is still active. I'm aware that the Rosetta Stone subscription for Navajo/Diné bizaad is something the members in Flagstaff, AZ, setup manually upon receiving payment. I don't mind paying first but, I'd like to at least be granted peace of mind knowing there is someone at the other end who can see; let alone process the payment. I wouldn't want to be left in limbo + $95 poorer, now. Pardon me if this isn't the right place to ask such a question but, this is the only other place I thought I could turn to. Have a lovely rest of your day!

-Qanu