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During this season of thanksgiving, the 25th Navajo Nation Council extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Navajo people, our Legislative Branch staff, all Navajo Nation departments, and the many outside agencies who continue to stand with us in support of our shared goals. Your dedication and partnership are crucial to the well-being and prosperity of our Nation.

As Diné people, we have long come together to honor our kinship, our culture, and our sacred connection to the land, well before the inception of this national holiday. We recognize that the spirit of this season—of giving thanks—is rooted in the timeless values that have sustained us for generations: family, community, and respect for all life.

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We are grateful for the sacred gift of life, bestowed upon us by our Creator, and for the strength and unity we find in our K’é. Our bonds to one another are what make us resilient, and it is through these bonds that we find the courage to face challenges and the support to celebrate triumphs.

Let us take this time to honor our elders, whose wisdom, strength, and life experiences enrich our communities. Our elders are the bearers of our history, our language, and our traditions—may we always show them the respect and appreciation they deserve. In their honor, we commit to supporting one another and caring for those who need us most.

This season, we also recognize and honor our Navajo veterans—those who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military, including our legendary Navajo Code Talkers. Their sacrifices have ensured our safety and sovereignty, and we are deeply proud of their service. Their bravery and dedication remind us of the importance of protecting and defending our people, our culture, and our land.

As we come together in this season of gratitude, we also reflect on the strength of our sovereignty as a people. The 25th Navajo Nation Council remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rights of the Navajo Nation and ensure that we continue to thrive as a self-governing, self-sustaining people.

On behalf of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, we wish you all a safe, peaceful, and joyous Thanksgiving. May we continue to walk in the light of our traditions and strengthen the bonds of kinship that make us stronger as a people.

Ahehee’ and Happy Thanksgiving!

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

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Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher