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ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2010-06-23
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Zah and Iverson discuss various political, economic, and controversial topics. Zah gives

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Zah and Iverson discuss various political, economic, and controversial topics. Zah gives his impressions and thoughts about the Hopi government, including the struggle in trying to find the balance between traditional and progressive ideals. Zah also reflects on his positive relationship with Hopi chairman Ivan Sidney. The changes in Navajo politics, the Tribal Council, and chapter relationships are addressed, especially the 2010 vote for the reduction of the number of Council delegates from 88 to 24. Zah gives his overall assessment of the role of casino gaming in the Navajo economy. He goes into detail about the main issues that concerned and delayed the Navajo Nation in creating casinos. Zah lastly focuses on the Indian Civil Rights Act and the controversial confrontation that took place between Annie Wauneka and Ted Mitchell, which ultimately changed the ongoing leadership of DNA People’s Legal Services.
ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2007-12-05
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah reveals personal experiences about his childhood, the struggles of growing

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah reveals personal experiences about his childhood, the struggles of growing up, and how those experiences shaped his life today. Zah reflects on living close to Keams Canyon, trying to keep family traditions, farming, obtaining water, and the hardships of family going to war, scarcity of food and water, and having to relocate multiple times due to the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute. He recounts his personal experiences attending Tuba City Boarding School, Phoenix Indian School, Phoenix College, and finally Arizona State University. Zah recalls various aspects of his education including his class schedules and routine at Tuba City Boarding School and the goal of Phoenix Indian School being more concerned about vocational training than college preparation. He also takes a moment to address his mentors that helped him throughout the different stages of his education.
ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2007-10-12
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

The experiences Peterson Zah touches on in this interview include his early encounters with traders

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

The experiences Peterson Zah touches on in this interview include his early encounters with traders as a young child in the 1940s, his work at the DNA People’s Legal Services program in the late 1960s, and his involvement in the non-profit organization Southwest Indian Development Inc. in the 1970s and 1980s. Zah focuses on the topic of traders and trading posts on the Navajo Nation. He discusses the growing problems created by unfair traders and how his collaboration with nine Navajo college students to create Southwest Indian Development Inc. allowed for things to change for the better. Zah recalls the dedication of the organization to provide research and compelling reports to the Trading Post Committee of the Navajo tribal council and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to amend the trading issues. He also discusses the hearing that the Federal Trade Commission conducted once the Southwest Indian Development Inc. requested their presence after being brushed off by the Navajo tribal council and the BIA. The interview concludes with Zah explaining the role that the DNA People’s Legal Services played in the whole trader controversy and how the actions of the Southwest Indian Development Inc. allowed for shopping centers and post offices to replace shady traders and trading posts.
ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2007-09-19
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah discusses the important legal impact that the DNA People’s Legal

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah discusses the important legal impact that the DNA People’s Legal Services program had on the Navajo Nation. He gives details from its conception in 1967, to how the program was named, its goals, and the controversies surrounding it. Zah recounts his experiences working in the DNA People’s Legal Services, especially his hand in the construction of the office buildings, recruiting new lawyers, and getting Navajo students excited about pursuing a career in law. The second half of the interview focuses mostly on a few influential, political individuals that gave the Navajo legal council or ran for tribal chairmanship. Zah and Iverson both give insight and historical details about Norman Littell, John Boyden, Raymond Nakai, and Peter MacDonald.
ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2007-06-13
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah expresses his opinions and observations about education during his time

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah expresses his opinions and observations about education during his time at Window Rock High School as a teacher and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He discusses issues concerning boarding schools, bringing public schools onto the Navajo reservation, and creating an efficient educational policy. Zah speaks about the Indian Self Determination Act of 1975, the establishment of the Navajo Community College, and how acquiring the rights to vote allowed the Navajo Nation to play a more pivotal role in elections and educational decisions. The latter half of the interview reflects upon the growing number of Native American students in higher education, retention rates, self-determination, and community pride and support. Zah also addresses the Native American achievement program created by ASU to help with retention rates and the future goals for Native American students in higher education.
ContributorsIverson, Peter (Interviewer) / Zah, Peterson (Interviewee)
Created2007-06-12
Description
From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah reflects on his academic and professional experiences from 1947-1987. Zah's

From 2007 until 2010, Dr. Peterson Zah and Dr. Peter Iverson met in the Labriola National American Indian Data Center to record talks for their new book We Will Secure Our Future: Empowering the Navajo Nation.

In this interview, Peterson Zah reflects on his academic and professional experiences from 1947-1987. Zah's academic experiences range from him first attending boarding school, transferring to Phoenix Indian School's Navajo Special Program, attending public high school, and graduating from Arizona State University in 1963. Professional experiences discussed in this interview include working for ASU's Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteer training program, being employed by DNA People's Legal Services and some of their influential cases, and his greatest accomplishments while serving as Tribal Chairmen from 1983-1987. Zah also addresses the creation of the Navajo education policy and briefly discusses key points in Navajo history, such as relocation and significant treaties.