Confusion surrounds Oprah visit
President’s office claims it was lied to

Ronson Begay from Tuba City plays around the fountain at the Navajo Nation Veteran's Memorial Park in Window Fock Wednesday. Begay and his family drove in from Tuba City to dance as a grass dancer during a powwow for a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Photograph by John A. Bowersmith / Independent

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Despite Harpo Production's statement to the Navajo Nation President's Office that Oprah would not be visiting the Navajo Nation, the reknowned TV host and philanthropist arrived in Window Rock around 11:30 a.m. yesterday morning.

Minutes after a midsize U-haul van of filming equipment parked in front of the President's office, Oprah arrived with an entourage of staff and security personnel in SUVs. Organizers, spectators, and tribal personnel were stunned when the celebrity stepped out of a vehicle.

"She's here! Oprah Winfrey is here," said Cora Maxx-Phillips, over the microphone when was informed Oprah did arrive with the film crew. Maxx-Phillips represented the Presidential staff at the event and was the narrator for the event. Her voice was quivering with shock and thrill since event organizers were consistently told Oprah was not coming.

Gasps, and looks of shock and excitement waved across the crowd as soon as Oprah was spotted. People began making frantic phone calls to friends, family, and co-workers about her arrival. People also began taking photos although her staff was asking for no photos.

As word spread through the crowd of about 300, people gathered around the main entrance of the President's Office. Oprah showed up looking very relaxed, wearing a bright turquoise shirt, brown gaucho pants, and her hair in braids.

People were saying things like, "Ya'aah'teeh Oprah," "Welcome to the Navajo Nation," and "Thanks for coming Oprah."

A possible visitation by Oprah was sparked after her production company replied to an e-mail sent by Priscilla Littlefoot, To'nanaas'deezi Chapter House Manager, requesting a show on the jail conditions in Tuba City. A staff member for the Oprah show replied to Littlefoot about doing a show on Native Americans and their interest to taping on the Navajo Nation.

"It was very coincidental because the time the e-mail was sent, they were planning to do a show specifically on Native American culture," said Maxx-Phillips.

Soon people began making their way toward the area where Oprah was, greeting her with smiles, cheers, and waves as she made her way toward the Veteran's Memorial Grounds.
It took a few minutes for Oprah to make her way to the memorial grounds, as she smiled, shook hands, and made small talk with fans and admirers who stood nearby.
A few minutes after she began making her way toward the Window Rock, President Shirley and his entourage of staff and security showed up, and walked alongside Oprah to the canopy set up for the event.

After making her way to the podium area, the event started with a traditional singing in Navajo done by Ben Silversmith and Sam Y. Max, two traditional medicine men well-known on the Navajo Nation. While there was commotion at the arrival of Oprah, the crowd was serene and quiet and showed its utmost respect during the singing.

Soon after, Oprah held a young Navajo girl for a few minutes and observed the area. She watched a small circle of about 10-15 children, young adults, and a few elders perform jingle dancing and grass dancing.

As taping was done, Oprah observed the dances, with President Shirley standing beside her. After the short dance was complete, Oprah asked President Shirley on camera the purpose of the dances.

"These are all sacred songs," said Shirley to Oprah. "They are performed before going to war."

This immediately brought looks of confusion to the crowd, since it was not explained that powwow is not traditional to Navajo. An announcer did mention that powwow is an adopted tradition, but it was not explained on camera.

"I noticed that the women dance differently from the men. Why is that?" asked Oprah. Shirley replied that it was because the separate roles that they have in society.

She also asked what the jingles on the dresses meant, and a young girl replied that they represented raindrops.

After the brief powwow performance, Oprah made her way to the Navajo Arts and Crafts booth, where she purchased two pairs of earrings, and was given a necklace set, earrings, and a cluster bracelet.

As she began making her way toward a food booth, people surrounded her. At the booth, she was given a fresh tortilla and was told about how frybread and blue corn mush were made. Vendors said she kindly declined frybread and a steak sandwich, and preferred a tortilla since it was lighter.

Soon after, and unexpectedly, Oprah made her way back to her vehicle, and it was announced over the microphone that they were leaving.

Initially, Maxx-Phillips said Oprah was scheduled to stay for two hours to visit the vendors, and see the dances; however, Maxx-Phillips said the staff and her own security became very concerned about the crowd that was beginning to mob her.

"Every time I looked at her, she was completely overwhelmed," said Maxx-Phillips.

Maxx-Phillips said that security was getting aggressive and that things got slightly out of control. Because the crowd could not be controlled, an unexpected early exit occurred.

"They were not giving her the space that she needed, even to walk," said Maxx-Phillips.

After about a 45 minute visit, Oprah left with her best friend, Gayle, who is often featured in the show in a maroon Super Sport Chevy Impala.

Despite statements made last week by the Office of the President denying a visit by Oprah, it is now saying that office workers were told not to confirm or deny anything to the press.

"The show's contact people told us they could neither confirm or deny (that she was coming), but to prepare like she was coming," said Patrick Sandoval, Chief of Staff for the Navajo Nation.

This information was not released to The Independent last week, but instead President's office said a statement made by a Ray Dotch, Senior Associate Producer for Harpo Productions, confirmed that she was not coming.

Yesterday, Sandoval said Ray Dotch apologized to George Hardeen, communications director for the Office of the President, for not telling them the truth about her visit.

"We told them people are not going to be happy about it, because it will look like we lied to them," said Sandoval.

"I spoke with him (Dotch) Friday," said Hardeen. "He said will she would not be there (at the taping)."

"The message was the Oprah wasn't coming," he said. "We did not know. I wish we did know."

Coincidentally, the President and his entourage arrived minutes shortly after Oprah parked in front of the Veteran's Memorial Grounds.