References
 

Hoskie Tom Becenti is one of the most valuable and the oldest Diné traditional spiritual and ceremonial healing practitioner and philosopher in the modem time (Walking History). He is tremendously resourceful in Diné history, traditional stories, and the concept of values and universal principles of Diné life way. He wholeheartedly contributed to the Navajo Common Law Development with songs, prayers, and stories of the traditional verbal guiding principles of values and the universal principles of Diné life way.

He told that back in the early 1930s he and several other young men brought their Navajo Tribal Councilmen back and forth from Eastern Navajo to Window Rock, AZ for the council sessions, at the time when the Navajo Tribal Council Chamber was under construction. When the Council Chamber was completed in 1934, he witnessed the Diné traditional Blessing and Dedication conducted by Hosteen Tse'bahe (Man Gray-Rock), an old medicine man. Two sets of sacred ceremonial paraphernalia used for the chamber dedication were also used at Bosque Redondo in the final sacred ceremony before the meeting to sign the Treaty of 1868. One of these paraphernalia along with others were presented to the Navajo Tribal Government where the BIA was assigned as the caretaker, eventually this set were lost. When he served on the Navajo Nation Medicine Men Association in the19í0s this specific set were retrieved from a museum in New Mexico. The medicine people re-blessed the set, and that was when he became the caretaker.

Upon the Diné Traditional Winter Stories, Symposium II in December of 1999, the Navajo Nation Council, as the medicine people directed them, directed Edward T. Begay, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, to do all necessary request a medicine man to do a major re-dedication and blessing. Becenti was honored to do re-blessing and re-dedication of the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, for our leaders, people and the Nation in January of 2002. It was very unique to witness an occasion where historical and traditional Dine ceremonial sacred paraphernalia once again used in the Navajo Nation Council Chamber.

Sam Begay is a well-respected and renowned Diné traditional medicine man, who was very instrumental in the Navajo Common Law development. He has contributed various fundamental Diné traditional values and the principles of life in the area of Dine origin of government.

He also played an instrumental role in the development of a book, Navajo Nation Government. As a member of the Diné Spiritual cultural Society, he was selected to be a representative on the Commission on Navajo Government Development. He is also the owner of S & D Plumbing and Heating, a 100% Navajo owned company from Indian Wells, Arizona. Additionally, Sam has been a member of Local Union # 469 since 1964. He attended school at Ganado Mission School, and Bible School in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Begay was enlisted in the United States Army from 195í to 1959.

Sam is the great grandson of Ganado Mucho, one of the historical heroes and great leaders who took part in signing the Treaty of 1868 and led the Navajos back to the homeland from Fort Summer. He is the Tóhtsohnii (Big Water) clan, and born for the Tł'ááshchí'í (The Red Cheek People) clan. His maternal grandparents are the Tséł'jíkiní (Cliff Dwellers People) clan, and his paternal grandparents are the Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water People) clan. He is originally from Indian Wells, Arizona.

Mr. Johnson Dennison with his professional background as administrator, educator, Diné traditional medicine man and practitioner, and a storyteller made very resourcefully contribution to the Navajo Common Law research.

Mr. Dennison received Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of New Mexico in Educational Administration. He has a thirty years of experience in education, three years in the classrooms, ten years as Elementary School Principal, Ten years as a High School Principal. He also has four years as a Dean of Instruction at Diné College, and three years as a Director of Navajo Educational Philosophy. Mr. Dennison is currently a Coordinator of the Office of Native Medicine at Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility.

Mr. Dennison is a well-known public motivational speaker and presenter on Navajo Culture, Medicine, Language, and Education at various conferences.

Traditionally, Mr. Dennison is a Navajo medicine man practitioner, for over twenty years, specializing in the Navajo Wind Way, Protection Prayer, and Purification Ceremonies. As Diné Storyteller, he covers the Diné Origin of Creation, the Navajo Ceremonial Developments, the Navajo Long-Walks, and the Navajo History.

Mr. Dennison is Tcábaahá (Edge Water) clan born for Tóhtsohnii (Big Water) clan, his material grandparents are Naakaii Dine'é (Mexican People) clan, and his paternal grandparents are Tó'áhaní (Near Water) clan. He and his family reside in Round Rock, AZ.

Mr. Anthoney Lee, Sr. has been very instrumental with his unique professional background contributed to the Navajo Common Law research by interpretation of Diné traditional values and principles concepts based of the traditional stories.

Mr. Lee is currently an Education Specialist and Instructor for Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona. He is also a younger apprentice and a practitioner of Diné traditional ceremonies specializing in the Protection Way Ceremonies. The Diné Medicine Men Association certifies him as a traditional practitioner. The Native American Church of Navajo Land, Inc., (NACNL) also certifies him as a Roadman. He is also a Vietnam veteran.

He has served as an Instructor, Curriculum Specialist and Professional Services Consultant for the Tsaile Dine Educational Philosophy Office. He is also a former administrator for the NCCIDC Division of Student Services. He currently serves as a Professional Services Consultant (on his own time) to many schools and organizations throughout the United States, including Canada. He is currently on leave from his Doctoral studies (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Change with the Fielding Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA.

Mr. Lee is traditionally known as Hastii Sani Biye' (Son of Old Man). He is of the Dziltłani (Mountain Cove Clan) and born into the Tabaahi (Water Edge Clan). His maternal grandparents are of the Ashiihi (Salt Clan) and his paternal grandparents are of the Bit'ani (Leaf Clan). He is originally from and currently resides in Lokaa'1igai, Lukachukai (where White Reeds Extends Out), AZ., with his family.

Publications:

SNDII Paradigm Implementation Guide for the Process Approach, Faculty Handbook for the Teaile Instruction, spring 1995.

Advancing the Concept & Practice of Indian Self-Determination, New Century Warriors Booklet in American Indian Higher Education, "Defining & Pursuing Educational Excellence," a Working Document, 1996.

Native American Vietnam Veterans Therapeutic Readjustment Counseling Services, "Specializing in Native/Traditional Healing Sciences," Specially Prepared for practitioners of Western Psychology and Authorities of the Social Science Disciplines, 1995.

New Century Warriors ''The Dine Psychology for Survival & Sustainability," Manuscripts for book publication, 19íí. (In progress)

Mr. Mike C. Mitchell is a very prominent and well-respected Roadman of the Native American Church and a Navajo Cultural Specialist who has the knowledge of traditional stories on Diné Origin of Creation, Emergence, Creation of Dine, and Diné Values and Guiding Principles. With that fundamental background he has made considerable extent of contribution to the Navajo Common Law research.

Mr. Mitchell is currently a Professional Services Consultant with Diné College at Tsaile, Arizona. Although Mr. Mitchell has no formal education, he is one of the three Navajo Histories and Cultural Teachers certified by the Arizona State Board of Education in 1985. He was a Cultural Specialist at the Rough Rock Curriculum Center, center for Navajo Studies at Rough Rock Community School from 1998 to 2001. He also served as a Cultural Specialist at the Chinle Curriculum Center with the Unified School District #24 from 1989 to 1996. He was a Navajo History and Cultural Instructor during the inception of Navajo Community College at Tsaile, Arizona from 1969 to 1989.

Mr. Mitchell is also a herbalist with vast knowledge of plant life and its uses, and beyond that he is also very knowledgeable of the Navajo Astronomy.

Mr. Mitchell is a Korean War Veteran who severed in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952.

Mr. Mitchell is of the T1chii'nii (Red Hair of the Y4'ii) clan and born into the Áshííhí (Salt) clan. His maternal grandparents are of the Tó'aheed]iínii (Water Flows Together) clan, and his paternal grandparents are of the Tsi' naajijnii (Black Streak Wood) clan.

Thomas Morris Jr., President of the Diné Medicine-men Association Inc. and a certified practitioner in the traditional healing services as a medicine-man and through the Native American Church of the Navajo Land. He is also very knowledgeable in the Navajo traditional stories and the concept of Navajo kinship and clan system. With that, he has contributed to the Navajo Common Law Project. Mr. Morris has provided his consultant work with various organizations and tribal programs and departments. He retired from Fort Defiance Department of Behavioral Health as a Community Health Educator and was also employed by the Children and Family Advocacy Corporation and K'é Project in Fort Defiance.