NHA SPONSORS KID'S DAY AND ELDER FEST EVENTS AT 76TH NAVAJO NATION FAIR - 09-13-24

WINDOW ROCK—The ubiquitous yellow bags emblazoned with the Navajo Housing Authority seal and a message reading, “Stop the spread of COVID-19” were visible across the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds Sept. 4-6, 2024.

The contents within included a Navajo and English coloring book, crayons, a blue notepad and pen set, First Aid safety kit, foam hammer, hand sanitizer, NHA info graphic, and flyswatter.

Staff from the NHA Housing Management Offices, Safety Section, Human Resources Department, Property and Supply Department, and Government and Public Relations Department met at the fairgrounds before dawn to prepare the bags for distribution.

NHA sponsored the Kid’s Day and Elder Fest events for the 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair because they were representative of the two biggest housing demographics for the tribe: Navajo youth and elders.

“We are so pleased that we could participate and sponsor Kid’s Day and Elder Fest. This was a collaboration of the executive team of NHA,” said Heather L. Duncan-Etsitty, CEO.

The executive management team includes NHA Chief Operations Officer Ernest Franklin, Chief Administration Officer Terrilyn Cook, and Chief Financial Officer Raymond Nopah.

The division chiefs coordinated with staff to cover the organization of the fair booth, ranging from purchasing and transporting educational items to the fairground for the assembly line arrangement to fill bags with educational items for dissemination.

“We sponsored the youth and elder activities because they are the primary tenants for housing on the Navajo Nation,” Duncan-Etsitty said. “I would also like to thank our staff for their volunteerism in distributing educational items at our NHA booth at the fairgrounds.”

Duncan-Etsitty and Cook were at the fairgrounds for Kid’s Day festivities on Sept. 4.

The NHA Safety Section and property managers from nearby housing management offices were also present and stationed at the Veterans Memorial Powwow Arena for the Kid’s Day celebration.

Busloads of kids from area schools such as Kin Dah Lichí’í Olta’, Pinon Unified School District, Naschitti Elementary School, and other educational institutions were in attendance.

Wilson Stewart, former council member for Ft. Defiance, served as emcee for the day. He was also a longtime employee of the Office of Diné Youth in Ft. Defiance and is no stranger to advocating on behalf of area youth.

“There’s a lot of good information for you to take home to your children, neighbors, elders, and relatives that couldn’t make it out today to join us,” he said.

Stewart introduced Valerie Tom, Ft. Defiance Office of Diné Youth Program Manager, to provide a welcome message to attendees.

“We welcome you to Kid’s Day,” she said. “We welcome all of the parents, grandparents, educators, teachers, and bus drivers.”

She said every year during the fair, marks the birthday of Ashkii Happy. The larger-than-life fair mascot was also present waving at attendees during Tom’s address.

“Kid’s Day is a time to celebrate our children’s growth, youth development, and everyone that plays a part in their nurturing,” she said. “Whether it’s fitness, health, prevention, arts and crafts, there’s a whole slew of activities to make sure that our kids are developed mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Virgina Nelson, program supervisor for Crownpoint Office of Diné Youth, also spoke, expressing appreciation for the logistical support of the Ft. Defiance for preparing the arena to receive the kids.

“We want to thank all the youth that are here, our Navajo youth. We are proud of you and thankful to all the schools for allowing you to be here today,” she said. “Because of you, we get a lot of goodies today!”

Janet Lomasney, senior programs and projects specialist for Ft. Defiance Office of Diné Youth, said she coordinated the Kid’s Day festivities for this year’s fair.

“The Navajo Nation Fair Office asked us to be the official start of the Navajo Nation Fair,” she said before the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Before the big pair of scissors snipped the red ribbon to start the fair, she encouraged students, teachers, and attendees to sing “Happy Birthday” to Ashkii Happy.

Lomasney asked the crowd if they knew how old Ashkii Happy was. Kids and parents shouted out various ages until a student from Kin Dah Lichí’í Olta’ provided the proper answer: Ashkii Happy is 39 years old.

He won a Kid’s Day t-shirt for the correct answer.

Students Riley Begay from Tsehootsooi Primary Learning Center and Ladea Desiderio from Tohatchi Elementary School cut the red ribbon that was set up in the center of the powwow arena.

A loud cheer and roar from the crowd celebrated the official start of the 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair as “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang filled the air.

Council Delegate Dr. Andy Nez (Crystal, Ft. Defiance, Red Lake, Sawmill) spoke of his work with the 25th Navajo Nation Council and specifically, as a member of the Health, Education and Human Services Committee.

“I always make time to share, express, and strengthen K’é among our students,” he said.

Speaking in Navajo, Nez said, “Today, we have our children that have come and our elder men and women who have traveled a great distance to be here. Thank you for being here in a positive way with our kids this morning.”

Nez said he previously worked as a former classroom teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade and encouraged students to stay with their group.

“We have a lot of our vendors here today, folks who came out to educate you,” he said. “Ask questions and be safe today. Ahe’hee.”

NHA distributed more than 3,000 goody bags for Kid’s Day this year.

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