Skip to main content

Navajo Code Talkers Exhibit Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-1041-BC

Scope and Content

The collection is comprised of four binders from the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project’s traveling exhibit entitled “Our Fathers, Our Grandfathers, Our Heroes; the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II” and one GI Joe Navajo Code Talker doll, with original box and accessories.

Dates

  • ca. 2001-2011

Language of Materials

Navajo

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Background Information

In 2000-2001, in partnership with the University of New Mexico School-to-Work program, the Navajo Nation Museum and the Navajo Code Talkers Association, the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project coordinated a yearlong oral history project with students from Wingate High School, Fort Wingate, New Mexico. Through classroom instruction, students learned about the history of the program as well as social and economic conditions on the Navajo reservation in the 1940s. The students conducted interviews with Navajo Code Talkers and were mentored by the Navajo Nation Museum in the development of the exhibit.

The original exhibit, “Our Fathers, Our Grandfathers, Our Heroes; the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II,” was on display from August 2001 to May 2002 at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona. Then, by invitation, it was displayed in the fall of 2004 at the New Mexico State Capitol Rotunda. In 2005, the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department placed the exhibit on permanent display at the Monument Valley Visitor’s Center Tribal Park.

The traveling version of this exhibit, launched in the fall of 2007, was made possible by grants from the Arizona Public Service, New Mexico Humanities Council and the Public Service Company of New Mexico.

Extent

1 box (1 cu. ft.)

Abstract

Collection comprises materials from the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project’s traveling exhibit entitled “Our Fathers, Our Grandfathers, Our Heroes; the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II”.

Processing Information

The Navajo Code Talker GI Joe doll was acquired separately from the exhibit materials and added to the collection in August 2019.
Title
Finding Aid of the Navajo Code Talkers Exhibit Collection, ca. 2001-2011
Status
Completed
Date
© 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451