Navajo Band Marches On
Organization nearly 70 years young

The Navajo Nation Marching Band lines up along Coal Avenue before the start of a ceremonial day parade earlier this year. The band has been in existence since the 1930s and boasts several Code Talkers as its former members. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

Navajo Nation Marching Band majorette Amanda Slim works on her baton technique before the start of a ceremonial day parade earlier this year. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

WINDOW ROCK — After 68 years in existence, the Navajo Nation Band is still going strong and remains one of the Nation's most well-received ambassadors.

"It's s not a job, it's what we love to do," said Darwyn D. Jackson, band director. "When our people just sense our presence, we get thunderous applause."

And with fair season now in full swing, the band has started its busiest season of the year, with appearances at almost every fair nationwide.

But the band goes beyond the borders of Navajo Nation making appearances across the Southwest and other parts of the United States.

The band, which is received innumerable certificates and awards for musical ability, style, and presentation, over the years is well-known for playing at popular events since the time of it's formation. In the 1960s, the band was present during the inauguration for John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in Washington D.C.

The foundation for the Navajo Nation Band first began in the 1930s when a group of Navajo men returned home from boarding school and decided to get together to play music. Eventually, the practices became constant and in the mid 1930s, a dozen employees of the Civilian Conservation Corps formed a small group to perform at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, under the direction of a Spanish-American man, Shorty Rivera.

"The band was founded from our Navajo veterans," said Jackson. "They keep it going, they kept playing."

Of the estimated 69 Code Talkers still alive today, Jackson believes that five of them were part of the Navajo Nation band.

Throughout the years, the band has played under the direction of well-known musicians, including Birley R. Gardner, who performed under the John Philip Sousa and U.S. Navy Band and Stanley Towne.

Honoring Originators and Increasing Numbers
Jackson feels strongly that one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the band, as well as channeling, is playing for the Navajo Nation Code Talkers.

"If it wasn't for our Navajo Code Talkers, we wouldn't be here as a Nation," said Jackson.

In honor of the Code Talkers, the band even wrote a special honor song for them entitled "Old Comrades".

"Every rehearsal we play this song and we practice this song," said Jackson.

The band, which currently consists of 50 members and has been referred to as the "Pride of the Navajo Nation," has members ranging from 13 years old to 70 years old.

"We have a lot of members who have gone to college universities that have gone through their bands," said Jackson, who was part of the Sun Devil Marching Band at Arizona State University.

Though the band averages around 50 members each year, it is trying to increase its numbers, and hopes to recruit some of the Navajo youth.

"That's one of our main concerns to get youth," said Jackson. "It's (the band) another positive alternative outlook for the youth to look out to, rather than abusing alcohol and drugs."

This October, the band will be playing at the New Mexico Highlands Parade in Las Vegas, and was also asked to play both the "National Anthem" and the college's fight song.

"That gives us a time to showcase the Navajo Nation and what the Navajo Nation has to offer our young people," said Jackson.

Members from Afar
Some members of the Navajo Nation band reside off Navajo, and travel from the far corners of New Mexico and Utah, and areas such as Phoenix, Tucson, and even California, to come back and play with the band during big events.

Jackson said many of those members practice on their own, while members within close proximity of the Window Rock area meet twice a week for regular practice.

Though band members are not paid, they are reimbursed by the Navajo Nation for travel to events, and are funded every fiscal year. This year, the program was given $48,000, and has been supported by both the legislative and executive branch since its formation, as well as the Division of Human Resources who oversees the program.

Band members also showcase their pride in being Navajo through their uniforms.

The uniforms consist of traditional attire, such as velveteen shirts, white pants, jewelry, and moccasins. Uniforms are provided by the Navajo Nation, with new uniforms provided every two to three years.

As band director, Jackson plans to progress the band's sound and movement to a university level and is interested in developing a style from strict military to up-to-date marching band style. The band also recently brought on Jason C. Morgan, as the band administrative coordinator at the end of July this year to help.

"Music is a universal language, and it's understood through culture and creed, and many different aspects," said Jackson.

Navajo Pride
One of the most significant appearances made by the Navajo Nation Band was in 1975 when 110 band members placed third in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

"Native Americans, especially Navajos, have talent that exists within the United States," said Jackson. "Navajo's are as musically inclined as any other musician in the world."

One of the band's goals is to constantly showcase its talents to non-Native people, and ultimately have it reflect on the beauty and culture the Navajo people.

"It all goes back down to having that Navajo pride," said Jackson. "We think as a group to promote the Navajo Nation and to get the Navajo Nation back on top."

For more information on the Navajo Nation Band and the requirements, contact Darwyn D. Jackson at 928-871-6599. The band is also seeking more accurate history on the band and its original members.