Honoring Our Veterans
This small park established sometime around 1936, features the graceful red sandstone arch for which the capital is named Tségháhoodzání (Window Rock). It is located just a few feet north of the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice-President building, the Navajo Nation Council Chambers, and other administrative offices.
In 1936, the Navajo Nation headquarters and other government offices were built in close proximity to this arch, due to its history and cultural significance, paricularly with the Waterway Ceremony. In Navajo culture and history, there was once a water pond right below the arch opening on the ground, a Navajo medicine man would collect this water to use in the Waterway Ceremony. This location was one of four sacred water ponds. Although today, you likely won’t witness a ceremonial water collection while visiting. But nonetheless, the area should be respected and there is no climbing allowed onto the Window Rock arch or its surrounding sandstone formations.
A Veteran’s Memorial was established in 1995, this is also at the base of Window Rock to honor the many Navajos who served in the U.S. military. Many Navajo soldiers are recognized in the annals of history for their role as Code Talkers, whereby they used the native Diné language to create a code that was never broken by the enemy. Historians credit the Navajo Code Talkers for helping to win World War II.
The memorial park has many symbolic structures: a statue of a Navajo Code Talker with his 32 pound radio (Westinghouse – Type CRI-43007 transmitter) on his back, a circular path outlining the four cardinal directions (East = White; South = Blue; West = Yellow and North = Black), 16 angled steel pillars with a sign filled with names of war veterans, a healing sanctuary that is used for reflection and solitude that features a fountain made of sandstone.
FREE Entry. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information contact:
Chi’hootso Marketplace & Flea Market
Located in the “downtown” area of Window Rock at the northwest intersection of Highway 264 and Indian Route 12. Drop by and hang out with some locals and out-of-towner’s! In this area, next to the Alon gas station, you can find an array of items – from Avon, tools, blankets, Navajo jewelry (traditional & contemporary), beadwork, Navajo foods (may we suggest checking out Scott’s Food Stand for frybread, Navajo Tacos, mutton dishes and wash it all down with Navajo tea?) – in the summer of 2018, even Hollywood actor & musician Jared Leto stopped by for a brief moment before he went onto Canyon De Chelly!
Navajo Zoo & Botanical Zoo
The only zoo and botanical park in the United States that is managed by a Indigenous tribe. This zoo has animals in the reptile, mammal, amphibian, insects, and birds classifications. During the month of May or June (depending on the zoo management), the zoo will have a celebration called ZooFest – and near Halloween, they hold another celebration called ZooBoo! Although the admission is FREE – donations at the front entrance are greatly appreciated and goes towards the zoo animals’ needs.
Navajo Nation Museum & Library
Located next to the Navajo Zoo, the museum is a great location to soak in some Navajo culture and art. Start by browsing the museum portion upon enterting the building, walk to the left and you will see the entrace to the museum. The theme of the museum changes every so often, so be sure to drop by when you’re in town! The library portion is off to the north side of the building, there is where you will find books of sort – there is also a section of computers to use for an hour for research or small printing needs for résumés for job searching, etc.
