Navajos

First Americans

by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Provides an overview of the history, culture, and ways of life of the Navaho, or Pueblo, Indians

Genres: Picture Books, History, Native American, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published April 28, 1993

About the author

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She was the daughter of an Episcopal priest and a Lakota Sioux mother. Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University. She has taught English in public school of South Dakota, and at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau. Her career also includes editor at the Brevet Press in Sioux Fall, S.D. Sneve is a member of the board of directors, Native American consortium, Corporation for Public Broadcasting ; member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe; member of board of directors of United Sioux Tribes Cultural Arts; and Historiographer of the Episcopal Church of South Dakota.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the essential First Americans series, this updated version of the earlier publication presents a brief introduction to the Navajos, who were originally known as the Dine. The author includes their creation story, family life, cultural traditions, and their conflicts with whites that led to their being resettled against their will. There is also a section about present-day Navajos. The text is respectful, honest, and is supported by softly colored watercolor illustrations throughout. As important as this book and this series are to social studies and history classes for youngsters, there will surely be pushback from some circles about including it as part of the curriculum. That would be unfortunate since the story of the First Americans is an important part of our nation's history.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally from the northern Pacific coast, the Navajos farmed in New Mexico and Arizona. After the Long Walk, moving the tribe to Oklahoma by the U.S. Army, the farming was mostly abandoned. Instead, once they were allowed to return to New Mexico and Arizona, they became known for their turquoise jewelry and patterned wool rugs and blankets.
Today they promote some reservation areas for tourism and work in the coal and energy fields.
This is a well illustrated introduction to the Dine or Navajos. It is quick, easy reading.

[Wendi (Alex) Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neither the author nor the illustrator are Diné.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Navajos: A First Americans Book is a brief but broad overview of the history and culture of the Navajos. I found it informative and interesting, and all of the facts matched up with what I have learned about the Navajos from other sources. The illustrations, too, seemed well-researched. It takes twenty minutes tops to read, and would be very good for elementary kids learning about the Native Americans.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this book to complement our history lesson about the Native North Americans from the Southwest United States called the Navajos.