By Margaret Wong
Navajo Nation claims to be "the largest Native American tribe
in the Southwest". Their site, www.navajo.org,
is simple and functional. Using a landscape of the cliffs in Arizona
as background to the site, we are given a glimpse of the beauty of
their nation, their culture, and their world. At the very top of the
site a quote from the Navajo Head Chief, Barboncito, conveys the peace
and harmony of their tribe, "After we get back to our country
it will brighten up again and the Navajo will be as happy as the land,
black clouds will rise and there will be plenty of rain. Corn will
grow in abundance and everything look happy."
Providing an e-mail is one of their services to Navajo Nation along
side of providing links to various informational sites related to
Navajo Nation. Almost all of the links point to societal issues and
events, such as highway safety, taxes, work force development, historic
preservation, air quality, and community development. There is even
a link to the Office of Miss Navajo Nation, who, similar to Miss America
for the U.S., goes around the reservation and speaks about helping
the Navajo community in some way or form.
Ironically, all the other sites looked more professional than the
Navajo Nation home site. Some departments, such as archeology and
office of the speaker, are even hosted by www.navajo.org.
But when you arrive at the site you would not have known it was from
the same server. It is as if you are going to an entirely different
site.
Beyond the technicalities of the site however www.navajo.org
is making strong statement about their culture by having a central
site on the World Wide Web. Though its culture is of an older world,
it is making the statement that they will not be left behind by time.
The Navajos can remain peaceful without falling behind the modern
societal advancements. Their ways will not be ridiculed for being
old world, and that they are ready to challenge the modern technology,
take advantage of it, be apart of it, and one day conquer it. The
site is created for the Navajo Nation government, and it is their
mission to provide as much information to their people as they can.
And what better way to spread the information than to provide a site
for it, where many can access freely and equally.