The United States comprises fifty states, a federal district, and several territories. But within the United States there are also what we might call “nations within the nation”: 575 federally recognized tribal nations. These nations are not simply ethnic or cultural communities, but possess inherent sovereignty and powers of self-government. According to the 2020 Census, 3.7 million Americans identified as American Indian or Alaska Native alone. If we include those identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native in combination with another race, that number rises to 9.7 million. The Navajo Nation — or Diné Bikéyah — offers perhaps the most striking example of what tribal sovereignty means in practice. Its territory stretches across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and covers roughly 70,000 square kilometres — about 1.7 times the size of Switzerland. But what does sovereignty mean for Navajo Nation? And what issues are its members facing today?

We are tackling these questions with University of New Mexico Professors Tiffany Lee and Wendy Greyes. Together with David Wilkins and Lloyd Lee, they are the authors of The Navajo Nation Political Experience.

Tiffany S. Lee (Diné /Lakota), Ph.D., is Dibé Łizhiní (Blacksheep) and born for Naałaní (Oglala Lakota). She is from Crystal, New Mexico, located on the Navajo Nation, on her mother’s side, and Pine Ridge, South Dakota on her father’s side. Dr. Lee is a Professor and Chair of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico. She earned her doctorate in Sociology of Education from Stanford University. Her research examines Native youth perspectives with regard to language reclamation and identity. She also investigates socio-culturally centered educational approaches. Some of her publications include:Critical language awareness among Native youthin New Mexico and “You should learn who you are through your culture”: Transformative educational possibilities for Native American youth in New Mexico.

Wendy S. Greyeyes, Ph.D. (Diné) is an Associate Professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico. She recently completed a prestigious fellowship at Diné College called the Nídahwiil’aah Fellows Program, funded by the Mellon Foundation. Prof. Greyeyes is the Navajo representative member and chair for the New Mexico Indian Education Advisory Council (IEAC). She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago and B.A. in Native American Studies from Stanford University. Her research is focused on political sociology, organizational analysis, Indigenous education, tribal sovereignty, and Nation Building. Recent publications include her book titled A History of Navajo Education: Disentangling our Sovereign Body (2022) and in October 2023, the The Yazzie Case: Building a Public Education System for Our Indigenous Future, co-edited with Lloyd L. Lee and Glenabah Michelle Martinez.

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