By Gerilynn Yazzie (Navajo Nation), United Tribes Technical College
As a Native person, democracy to me means having a voice, being seen, and being included in decisions that affect our lives, our land, and our future. But it also means honoring the systems of governance that my people already had long before the United States existed. When I think about democracy, I don’t just think about voting or elections — I think about the traditional ways my community has always practiced collective decision making, respect, and responsibility.
Growing up on the Navajo Nation, I saw that our own form of democracy is rooted in K’é, the principle of kinship, connection, and mutual responsibility. Historically, Navajo leaders were not chosen through force or wealth. They were recognized because of their wisdom, character, and ability to guide people. Decisions were often made through consensus, listening, and by thinking about how choices affect the community as a whole. That is democracy in its most human form.
Today, the Navajo Nation practices a modern democratic government with elected leaders, chapters, and community meetings. But beneath those structures, our traditional values still guide us. We are taught to think seven generations ahead, protect our land, and care for one another. To me, the deepest form of democracy is one that is not just political, but cultural and spiritual.
As a Native woman and a mother of four, democracy also means fighting for representation, for educational opportunities, and for the right of Native children to grow up with the right to their Native identity and to be proud of who they are. It means making sure our voices are not lost in systems that were not originally built for us. It means showing up, speaking up, and teaching the next generation that their voice matters. In my life and in my studies as an elementary education major, I see democracy as something I can help strengthen. By becoming a teacher, I hope to empower Native students to understand their rights, their history, and their ability to shape their communities. Democracy is not just a system — it is a responsibility we carry forward.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, I believe Native history and Native peoples must be at the center of the conversation — not treated as an afterthought or a footnote. This anniversary is an opportunity to tell a fuller, more honest story about this country, one that acknowledges the original peoples of this land and the ongoing strength of our communities.
For me as a Navajo woman, I want the 250th anniversary to recognize that Native nations were here long before 1776, with our own systems of governance, education, and community values. Our histories didn’t begin with colonization, and they didn’t end with treaties. We are still here, still speaking our languages, still raising our children, and still shaping the future.
