69th Annual Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, 9/6-13

The theme of the 69th Annual Navajo Nation Fair is “We take care of Mother Earth for our future welfare: Nihima Nahasdzaan baa’ahayago naasgoo bee hiniih a doo.”

“It’s about preservation of the Navajo way of life and philosophy,” Navajo President Russell Begaye said. “Just the theme by itself (says) that it’s always good to take care Mother Earth.

“This whole (toxic waste) spill is about that lesson. If we don’t take care of Mother Earth, (dangerous water) will trickle into the soil and it will impact the people who live along the river.”

Begaye is referring to the mustard-colored mine waste that the federal Environmental Protection Agency accidentally released into the Animas River on Aug. 7. The river is upstream from a swath of agricultural fields located on the reservation in New Mexico.

Tribal officials said the fair committee agreed to the theme in May because of the ongoing global conversation about climate change and how drought will affect many Southwest tribes. The theme also urges tribal members to care and conserve their own water use, said Louise Tsinijinnie, fair coordinator.

The message is stop wasting water at our your home, she said.

The annual fair hosted by Arizona’s largest tribe has up to 30 events over eight days in Window Rock, the reservation’s capitol in northeastern Arizona, including a fry bread-making contest, young women vying for a tribal crown, tribal cowboys riding bulls at rodeos and farmers selling seasonal fresh food, such as melons.

The conservation theme of the parade caught the attention of a Phoenix Native American group. Morning Star Leaders Youth Council, founded in 2012, has 35 inter-tribal members throughout Arizona.

Members of the council will travel five hours to participate in the Navajo parade. Debbie Manuel, the council’s founder and executive director, said the theme of fair inspired the youth.

“The youth council used their skills to read the theme in Navajo and sort their thoughts about each word's meaning,” Manuel said. “Finally the theme spoke to them more specifically about their own efforts this past year, which focused heavily on their understanding of what was happening in the world around them regarding sacred sites and the advocacy regarding mining and water.”

About 75,000 people attended the Navajo fair last year. Thousands are tribal members, who live in cities and return to the reservation to rekindle relationships with their parents, relatives and homeland.

69th Annual Navajo Nation Fair

When: Sunday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 13.

Where: Navajo Nation Fair Grounds is south of State Route 264, west of the Bashas’ grocery store.

Admission: $5 adults; $3 for kids age 12 and younger; $3 for senior citizens.

Details:navajonationfair.com