‘An overstep’: Navajo Code Talker descendants criticize New Mexico’s new plan for museum
Summary
The state of New Mexico is planning a Navajo Code Talker museum on the Navajo Preparatory School campus in Farmington instead of the originally intended site within the Navajo Nation. Some descendants of the Code Talkers disagree with this decision and say they were not consulted about the change or the museum plans.Key Facts
- Navajo Code Talkers created a secret code during World War II that helped the Allies.
- The Navajo Nation and descendants wanted a large museum and veteran’s center on Navajo land, particularly near Tse Bonito.
- New Mexico set aside $20 million, and Chevron donated 200 acres in 2009 for a museum near the Navajo Nation capital.
- The new museum plan is for a smaller building on the Navajo Preparatory School campus in Farmington, outside the Navajo Nation border.
- Descendants like Zonnie Gorman say the location change and lack of consultation is an overreach by New Mexico’s governor.
- State lawmakers have questioned details about museum funding, operation, and consultation with the Navajo community.
- The state removed a requirement for Code Talker experts to be involved in planning after initially including it.
- Navajo Affairs and General Services Departments are leading the project, but have not clearly explained changes or consulted descendants enough.
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