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Peterson Zah shares his own perceptions about the Navajo history, issues, and resolutions with the Hopi Nation. He also gives his views on the Navajo-Hopi land dispute and the issues of the government relocation program. During his chairmanship in 1983, Zah worked with Hopi chairman Ivan Sidney to create a cooperative environment that would benefit both nations. Zah focuses on the positive effects of cooperative leadership in terms of Navajo history and in his experiences with Ivan Sidney. He gives examples of his successful experiences cooperating with Ivan Sidney, including remedying the uranium trailing situation in Tuba City, creating the Turquoise Trail, and opening Hopi High School. Zah briefly touches on Navajo history, especially the beginning of the Navajo reservation. A large portion of this interview also focuses on Navajo traditional religion, the freedom of religion, and the Native American Church movement that took place in the late 1930s to the 1950s. Zah also discusses key individuals in the history of Navajo religion such as David S. Clark, who was the president of the Native American Church, and Raymond Nakai, who was responsible for educating people about the freedom of religion.
In this interview, Peterson Zah addresses Navajo history, both past and present. Numerous topics are discussed in this interview such as the beginning stages of the Navajo reservation, language and culture, women in Navajo politics, and old and new Navajo values. Zah commentates on matters pertaining to the Navajo Tribal Government, such as the Indian Reorganization Act, the history and issues of the Navajo Tribal Government, and its future. He mentions key individuals in Navajo history that contributed to the growth and well-being of the community, for example Annie Wauneka and Raymond Nakai. Zah also reflects on some of his greatest achievements while working at DNA People's Legal Services and as Tribal Chairman. Major achievements mentioned include the revamping of Apache County, the rising number of Navajo lawyers, and the creation of new high schools on the Navajo reservation, which ultimately led to the closing down of boarding schools. Zah gives details about significant precedent-setting cases that DNA People's Legal Services handled, such as the McClanahan v. the Arizona Tax Commission case.
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.
Mounted black and white photograph with a typescript annotation, "July 17 1914. Making the trip down Bright Angel trail at the Grand Canyon of Arizona on mules. Left to right: George H. N. Luhrs, Jr., unknown, George H. N. Luhrs, Emma Luhrs, Ella Luhrs. Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River, at bottom on canyon."
Black and white print of the Grand Canyon with a typescript annotation, "July 17, 1914. Grand Canyon Arizona. On the left side you can see some of the mules taking people down the Bright Angel Trail to the bottom of the Canyon."
Black and white print with members of the Luhrs family. Typescript annotation, "July 17th, 1914. Going down Bright Angel Canyon of Arizona, Those on the mules, from bottom up: unknown, unknown, Ella Luhrs, Emma Luhrs, George H. N. Luhrs, unknown, Roger Hunt, George Luhrs Jr., Catherine Margarita 'Gretchen' (Mrs Geo H. N.) Luhrs standing beside George Luhrs Jr." Beside the trail, a sign displays, "Photo by Kolb Brothers."
Black and white print of six men and four women (unidentified) astride mules on a trail. One man sits on rocks beside the trail.
Black and white print of one man and three women (unidentified) on a trail.
Black and white mounted print with typescript annotation, "Dec 26, 1917, at the Grand Canyon of Ariz., on his honeymoon, Arthur "Cap" Taylor." Handwritten annotation, "San Diego, 1918."